Currents in Literacy

Fountas's Favorites

This was a year filled with exciting new books for young children. Here are some favorites! Reviewed by Professor Irene Fountas, Program Director, Center for Reading Recovery, Lesley University.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
By Simms Taback

A delightful, boldly illustrated and unique version of the well-loved poem, "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" is a must for kindergarten and grade one classrooms. The unique die-cut artwork begins with the cover and continues to show what's going on inside the old lady's stomach with the poem revealed in bright colored strips on each page. The extra little written messages on each page provide lots of bits of extra humorous reading. The bird gallery in the text and the fly gallery on the back cover are added special features. This is a wild, engaging version sure to captivate young readers. Enjoy!

Max's Wacky Taxi Day
By Max Grover

This is a humorous story of Max the taxi driver and his wacky adventures in his bright yellow taxi. Max takes his fares to various locales, running into many zany situations. Max wakes up to "spring showers," takes Marina and her mom to the "tooth ferry" for their trip to the dentist, and comes to a "fork in the road." Young readers will be amused to see how the author features a pun in bold red type on each page, with an illustration that celebrates the verbal humor. Link this to Grover's The Accidental Zucchini for more language and word play.

To Market, To Market
By Anne Miranda
Illustrated by Janet Stevens

Miranda's lively twist and extension of the classic nursery rhyme is the best ever, filled with rhythm, rhyme and humor. The old lady buys a fat pig at the market, jiggity jig. This begins a tale of unruly animals that run amok each time she returns to the market, preventing the woman from making lunch. Finally, she returns to the market one last time for the ingredients for hot vegetable soup which she fixes for the whole bunch! Stevens' bold illustrations are filled with bold elements that seem to overflow with humor and movement. This one is a winner!

Mouse Mess
By Linnea Riley

Watch a hungry mouse who wakes up at midnight and joyfully munches his way through the house, creating chaos -- "sniff, sniff, milk and cheese. Mouse would like a taste of these!" When the feast is complete, the mouse cleans himself in a "teacup" tub and is fresh and clean in bed just in time for the family to wake up. Each page features bright, bold cut-paper collage art that is almost life-size with brilliant, bold detail. This is a good choice for food study, or for linking to stories about mice.

Miz Berlin Walks
By Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

Yolen tells the magical story of friendship based on the life of her grandmother, Fanny Berlin. A young African-American girl, Mary Louise watches her elderly neighbor, Miz Berlin, who tells wonderful stories as she walks the block around her Virginia home. She catches up with her, gets to know her through her stories and makes a dear new friend. Her loving friend has an accident, dies soon after, and young Mary Louise is filled with her love of stories forever. The oil-wash paintings by Floyd Cooper capture the warmth and depth of this touching story. This is a rich addition to a text set on friendship or sharing.

Mouse Match
By Ed Young

Ed Young, Coldercott Medalist, retells the ancient Chinese mouse bride tale of a father mouse who travels to find the perfect husband for his cherished daughter only to learn that a mouse is the best match. The collage technique with silhouette mice is spread onto a strip of heavy coated cardboard and folded into an accordion format. When it is opened wide, it reads like a story mural. To add to the uniqueness of the presentation, the story is told in white Chinese characters on a black background across the back. Add this to your cultural folktale collection, a good choice for second or third graders.