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(3)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
The title says it all: friends come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and species. Paired with a direct and friendly text, Rotner's intimate color photographs show a diverse array of children at play and at school; using sign language and wheelchairs; hugging each other and pets; laughing together but also experiencing moments of anger and sadness. The last page invites contemplation: "What kind of friends do you have?"
32 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-3053-6$17.95
(3)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
This book emphasizes the importance of a strong family narrative formed through conversations between family members across generational lines. Illustrating the book with Rotner's always-amiable color photographs of families, some with "one parent" and "others [that] have a grandparent, an aunt, or an uncle living with them," strengthens this emphasis and showcases the diversity of experiences in contemporary family structures.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| January, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2426-9$16.95
(4)
K-3
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
Simple headers ("Lunch is ready!") and captions ("I picked a carrot") are an appropriate match for the clean design and engaging color photos of kids involved in food shopping, gardening, food prep, and eating. Images of children actively playing are paired with the repeated (annoying) phrase, "Good food makes me strong!" and boxed text offers nutritional tips for parents.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| August, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2294-4$16.95
(2)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
Simple, conversational text and loads of colorful, engaging photos broadly cover how families are formed through adoption. The authors approach the subject in very general terms, allowing children to impose their own experiences. While most of the book is upbeat, the loss inherent in adoptions is also acknowledged. Children touched by the subject will find the straightforward discussion reassuring and easy to understand.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2011
32 pp.
| Millbrook
| April, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-4911-2$25.26
(3)
K-3
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
A happy and diverse group of children turn kitchen scraps into compost. Practical but also full of wonder, the book illustrates the whole composting cycle. Clear photographs show every step, including kids working hard and getting dirty. The last pages provide information for families who want to start composting.
48 pp.
| Millbrook
| November, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-4605-0$25.26
(3)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
Rotner and Goldbas explain the concept of "home" for very young children, defining it as a place where people not only eat and sleep but also find love and safety; the difficult topic of homelessness is also touched upon ("Some people don't have homes..."). Yellow type and attractive photographs featuring a diversity of children show up nicely against black backgrounds.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| May, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2247-0$16.95
(3)
K-3
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
Scientists don't know what's causing the decreasing number of honeybees, or Colony Collapse Disorder, but this book briefly posits ten theories, including pesticide use on crops, air pollution, and viruses and diseases. Rotner's engaging, child-friendly photos accompany accessible information about bees, small- and large-scale beekeeping, and the insects' important role in the pollination of our food crops. Websites.
(4)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
Simple sentences describe some of the things that kids may love: "We love the feel of our bodies moving. We love the art we make. We love the music we play." The package's sucrose dose is somewhat balanced by the book's clean design and the many black-and-white photographs, mostly of children content by themselves or happily interacting with others.
32 pp.
| Holiday
| August, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8234-2191-6$16.95
(3)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
Though it's not the most original concept, this title does a good job of illustrating that, "Our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper." Rotner's well-composed photographs of unremittingly cheerful children display a wide gamut of skin tones. For libraries needing a fresh volume on the subject, this fits the bill.
(2)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
Children are part of the celebration of nature in this book about the seasons. Lush photographs bring the text to life; emerging readers will be able to read the simple words and appreciate the bold colors and beautiful composition of each photo. On the final page, the first words of the book are repeated to bring the cycle full circle.
Reviewer: Robin L. Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2007
32 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| January, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-1751-1$$23.90
(4)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
"Work is caring and protecting. Work is delivering and selling. Work is creating, and building and fixing." The simple text makes generalizations about the ways people and even animals work, while the clear photographs fill in the details, showing a variety of jobs, both paid and unpaid. Although the text is not particularly exciting, it provides a good starting point for discussions about occupations.
24 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| March, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-2119-5$$21.90
(4)
K-3
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
"We're happy when we do something well, whatever that might be." Emphasizing that being good at something involves learning, time, and interest, this simple text offers a somewhat trite feel-good-about-yourself message. The many color photographs feature various children learning, playing, and working alone and together. Rotner includes a note to adults about different types of intelligence.
32 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| August, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-2313-9$$23.90
(3)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
This book is simple yet appealing with its color photos of diverse grandparents from different age and racial groups. Even when acknowledging health and physical challenges and the reality of nursing homes, the book is upbeat, and, above all, it emphasizes the great love that exists between grandparents (and great-grandparents) and their grandchildren.
(4)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
The very simple text ("Hands to touch, arms to hug and hold...") doesn't do much more than serve as captions for vibrant, full-color photographs of children playing sports, eating, and whispering with friends. The photos--some showing a single action, others showing sequences--will encourage young "readers" to experience their own bodies in motion.
32 pp.
| Lerner/Millbrook
| April, 2000
|
LibraryISBN 0-7613-1722-8$$22.90
(4)
K-3
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
A note for parents and teachers about attention deficit disorder precedes the text of this book, which, unless accompanied by discussion and explanation by an adult, may be too vague to be helpful: "Sometimes it's hard to keep track of things." Although some are posed-looking, the color photos may help elicit responses from younger readers.
(3)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
In this well-designed picture book, a multiethnic group of children is shown taking pleasure in their food, friends, activities, and environment. With short sentences written in first person, the text names things for which children can be grateful--"I'm thankful I have a home and good food to eat," and the color photographs are bright and appealing.
32 pp.
| DK Ink
| April, 1999
|
TradeISBN 0-7894-2556-4$$16.95
(3)
PS
Photographs by
Shelley Rotner.
This volume on an irresistible subject features engaging color photos of fraternal and identical twins of a variety of ages. A simple text covers basic facts (some twins look alike, some don't) along with what's special about being a twin and what's not. A note to parents is included.