Giant Panda. (I Am). Steve Macleod. New York, NY: AVČ/Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Co.), 2012. 24 pp., hardcover, $25.70. ISBN 978-1-61690-756-3. Subject Heading: Giant panda-Juvenile literature. Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 4-7. Review by Barb Taylor. *** /4
	Deer. (Animals in My Backyard). Jordan McGill. New York, NY: AVČ/Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Co.), 2012. 24 pp., hardcover, $25.70. ISBN 978-1-61690-936-9. Subject Heading: Deer-Juvenile literature. Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 4-7. Review by Barb Taylor. *** /4
	Cows. (Animals on the Farm). Linda Aspen-Baxter & Heather Kissock. New York, NY: AVČ/Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Book Co.), 2012. 24 pp., hardcover, $25.70. ISBN 978-1-61690-925-3. Subject Headings: Dairy cattle-Juvenile literature. Cows-Juvenile literature. Preschool-grade 2 / Ages 4-7. Review by Barb Taylor. *** /4

excerpts:

I am a Giant Panda. I can fit in a person's hand when I am born. (From I Am a Giant Panda.)

I eat grass, hay, and grains. I pull my food toward me with my tongue and bottom teeth."(From Cows.)

He sees with large eyes. With large eyes, he watches his front and back for danger. (From Deer.)

Using large print, simple clear photographs, and a controlled basic vocabulary, the three books, Giant Panda, Deer and Cows, accomplish three basic tasks. They cut to the facts about each animal, provide pictures that add to the context of the words, and allow readers to expand their knowledge through Internet-linked media.

     For librarians, teachers and parents that have struggled to find nonfiction, informative materials about animals written for the grades K-2 audience these "AVČ Media Enhanced Books" fill the niche.

      The books stand alone as simple, interesting reads. Each story is accompanied by additional facts and details that the adult or more advanced reader can share with the child. The final page includes a list of sight and content words as well as instructions for accessing the publisher website.

      The website provides videos, audio clips, puzzles and vocabulary activities to enhance the material in the books. The visual and audio materials are appropriate to the K-2 audience while the activities cover the K-2 range of abilities.

      I am somewhat concerned about the maintenance and updating of online materials on which the success of this series will depend. Fortunately, the books are very reasonably priced with a series of six titles priced at $154.20 or individually at $25.70. Without access to the enhancements provided by the Internet, I would hesitate to purchase the books as the price is justified only by the online materials.

      I would recommend these books particularly for those teachers, parents and readers that use and have access to the computer technology necessary to access the streaming videos, slide shows, etc.

Recommended.

Alberta's Barb Taylor is an elementary school librarian and freelance travel writer.

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

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