A first/second grade parent's frustration - your child can read, but he/she just doesn't want to pick up a chapter book. They will flip through magazines, they will listen to you read to them, they just won't pick up that book and read it cover to cover for themselves! I had two like this and I know your frustration!
Thankfully there are more and more fun and clever books out there that will appeal to this type of reader. Author's are channeling their creativity towards these children, which means greater opportunities to get really good early reader books into kid's hands. In fact, Scholastic has started a whole new division, Branches, to target just these children, and I am reviewing two of their new book series today.
To see all my book recommendations, visit my website at www.ongreatbook.com
Title: Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever
Author: Kate DiCamillo & Allison McGhee
Target: Kindergarten - Grade 2
Series: Yes
What this book is about:
Bink and Gollie are the odd couple of kid’s books. Bink is short, blond and a mess, Gollie is tall, brunette and put together. However, together they are the best of friends and they bring out the best in each other. In their third set of adventures, Gollie finds out she comes from royalty, but when she lets it go to her head, Bink is there to set her straight. In the second story, Bink buys a contraption to help her get taller, but finds a much better use for all the parts in the end. In the final story, the girls decide that they should collect something to get their picture in a book. Well, they do get their picture in the book, but not the way they expected.
Why I love this book:
I was not a huge fan of the first Bink & Gollie set of adventures. They second book came out, and I found it much more appealing. Well, let’s just say that the third time is a charm. This book is my favorite one by far. The quirky humor, the site gags and even the relationship between the girls is spot on in this installment. The authors have truly found their rhythm and I can’t wait for book number four!
The stories definitely have two levels and they really are quite profound if you think about them carefully. However on the surface they are charming, funny and quite endearing.
Who this book is for:
This is an early reader book with challenge words. A sentence or two per page with bountiful illustrations. Even though the main characters are girls, this book should appeal to either sex. Nothing gender specific in the stories.
Final thoughts:
Kudos to you Bink and Gollie for your lovely and funny friendship!