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CM . . .
. Volume X Number 18 . . . . May 7, 2004
excerpt:
We All Go Traveling By, written by Sheena Roberts, is an upbeat, cumulative story which celebrates the many ways of journeying along through the world. Aimed at very early readers, the simple story follows a definite pattern beginning with the familiar phrase, "I spy with my little eye." Roberts has extended the rhyme by adding on "You can hear with your little ear" and then, by describing a mode of transportation, its colour and the sound that it makes. The chorus: "And we all go traveling by, bye-bye, And we all go traveling by" completes each stage of the story. Young children will quickly grasp the book's pattern and will be able to anticipate the next line in the growing story and chime in with the appropriate sounds. The author begins and ends her book with two things very familiar to children, namely, a yellow school bus and the ring-a-ling-a-ling of the school bell as another day is begun. The lyrical rhythm of the story is infectious, and readers of all ages will enjoy participating.
The book jacket boasts "Fred Penner CD Inside," and this enclosure will be an additional selling feature for many. From the first cheerful opening notes, the story in song form comes to life. Penner's familiar, smooth singing voice guides readers through the story pattern, and each vehicle's sound from the chuff-chuff-chuff of a train to the ring-ring-ring of a bike is realistically enacted. Children and adults should both be aware, however, that We All Go Traveling By is the only song on the accompanying CD. Purchasers may assume that other songs will be included as well, but this is not the case. Roberts song is sung twice on the CD, and Penner increases the tempo of the tune as he goes along. A plastic envelope to hold the CD is affixed to the book’s back inside cover. On the whole, We All Go Traveling By is a book which greatly appeals to the senses. The bright scenes entertain the eyes and are filled with texture while the descriptive wording and Penner's voice and accompanying instruments delight the ear. The cost may be a factor for some, but the book is a quality product and would make a wonderful gift for a young reader. Classroom and school libraries would find that We All Go Traveling By would enhance a unit on transportation, colours, the senses or an illustration/art study. Parents be prepared to listen to this one again and again, on car trips short and long! Highly Recommended. Lisa Sykes of Minseing, ON, has worked as an early-years teacher and teacher-librarian and has listened to this CD more times than she can count as she has traveled along in the family mini-van with her three young children aboard.
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As catchy as the simple text is, it is the unique illustrations which truly capture the reader's attention. Siobhan Bell has used hand-dyed cotton as the main medium for her designs which have been stitched, printed upon and layered to create detailed scenes. The designs are filled with primary and contrasting colours and the weave of the fabric, stitched threads and printed patterns fill the pages with rich texture. As the story grows in length, the scenes grow in detail with more vehicles present in the pictures and more emphasis on the middle and backgrounds. All the vehicles named in the story appear on the final two pages of the book which serve as a summary. Observant young Canadian readers may comment on the illustration of the bus, however, and the fact that the door is located in the centre of the bus and that there are no stop signs attached.