CM Magazine: Let's Look at Mix and Match. (Let's Look at Series)

________________ CM . . . . Volume VI Number 6 . . . . November 12, 1999

Let's Look at Mix and Match. (Let's Look at Series).

Nicola Tuxworth.
London, UK: Lorenz Books (Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books), 1997.
20 pp., cloth, $4.95.
ISBN 1-85967-520-4.

Subject Headings:
Colour-Juvenile literature.
Shape-Juvenile literature.
Size-Juvenile literature.

Preschool - grade 4 / Ages 2 - 9.
Review by Shannon Nesdoly.

** /4

excerpt:

Sort it out!
Can you sort out these things?
How many spotty things are there?
Can you find a pair of socks?
How many blue things can you see?
Can you find the clown's hat and nose?

Mix and Match is one of the titles in the "Let's Look at Series" for preschoolers. The book focuses on the concept of sorting and is laid out in double page spreads bearing sub-headings such as "Pairs," "Colours," "Shapes," "Sizes," etc. Several photographed objects appear on each page. For the most part, the objects are everyday household items, such as socks and umbrellas, or things from nature, like leaves and nuts. The pictures are bold with a strong use of colours. Care was taken in selecting items which are visually appealing, eg., a bright blue teapot and a red umbrella with white polka-dots. On each page, some items, such as a "pair of shoes," are labeled to help teach the concept upon which that set of pages focuses. The simple text challenges the child to find the different pairs and to count the number of pairs. There are a couple of items within the book that are not labeled and are difficult to identify. Fortunately, the pictures still illustrate the concepts of shape and colour, even if the objects cannot be accurately named. On one page, objects are labeled as "spotty" and "stripey," such as a "stripey pencil." While the term "stripey" seems unusual, it may be due to the book's geographic origins rather than an attempt at baby talk. The simple design, bright pictures and clear layout are visually appealing and give young children lots to look at on their own while encouraging adult interaction through questions in the text.

Recommended.

Shannon Nesdoly is a mother of two young children and a student in the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba.

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

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - November 12, 1999.