CM Magazine: You are special, little one.

________________ CM . . . . Volume XI Number 16 . . . . April 15, 2005

cover You Are Special, Little One.
Nancy Tafuri.
New York, NY: Scholastic (Distributed in Canada by Scholastic Canada), 2005.
30 pp., board, $10.99.
ISBN 0-439-68613-X.

Preschool / Ages 1-4.

Subject Headings:
Animals - Infancy - Fiction.
Parent and child - Fiction.

Review by Stephanie Yamniuk.

**** /4

excerpt:

High on their lodge
in a cool, clear pond,
a beaver kit asks,
"How am I special?"

And Mama and Papa Beaver reply,
"Dear little one,
with your sleek, heavy fur
and your large, webbed feet for diving,
you are so special,
and we will love you
forever and ever and always."

Nancy Tafuri has written and illustrated this sturdy board book that contains lyrical text and colorful illustrations to express the deep and lasting love all parents feel for their special little ones. Children are introduced to creatures from a variety of different environments, including a lion cub from the savannah, an arctic penguin chick, a prairie dog pup from the grassy plains, and a human child enjoying lunch with his parents by a flowing river.

The language that is used is not "dumbed down" for little kids but can encourage a larger vocabulary. Words such as "keen," "swift" and "nimble" may be new words to some preschoolers but will not alienate them. The language in the book is descriptive and engaging.

The illustrations are colorful and full of detail. There are various aspects of the animals' habitat that children can see in the book which could be an excellent conversation starter with a preschooler. There are several opportunities for counting (many little prairie dogs, waddling penguins, flowers and berries to count) and for learning about animals other than your typical cats, dogs and bunnies.

I can already tell that this is a favourite story with my preschoolers and one that will be read over and over again.

Highly Recommended.

Stephanie Yamniuk has taught first grade and works at the University of in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364 Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

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