Size: A First Poem Book About Size by Felicia Law

Size
by Felicia Law

Size, part of the Patchwork series, is a poetry book that focuses on the concept of somethings dimension or area for which an object occupies in space. The illustrations are bright and very appealing and go well with each of the poems. In fact, for some of the poems the illustration is almost vital for understanding.

The poems include the following:

• Huge Elephant
• All Sorts
• Big, Small
• Socks
• Tall Flower
• Little Bug
• Big Sister
• Growing In and Out
• My Two Cats
• Growing Together 

Each poem relates to size in a different manner. Young children may not relate the concept of size to each of the poems on initial reading. However with subsequent readings, reflections and comparisons can be made in order to better understand size. I would not use this book to simply teach the concept of size. I believe the poems are an excellent way to extend the children's learning and increase their vocabulary. For older children the poems can be used as an example prior to the creation of their own concept poetry or creative writing.

The book ends with a two page list of concept words included in the book. Upon my initial reading of the list of words, I was a bit confused as to why cat, elephant, and ladybug were listed among the "concept words". After researching the word, I learned it can be a general idea of something conceived in the mind. I have always thought of concepts as more abstracts - shapes, colors, numbers, etc.

Not only did I discover a great new title that combines mathematics and poetry, but I walked away learning something new. My perception of the word concept has now been forever changed because of a children's picture book about size. Interesting turn of events, but I will take learning whenever and wherever I can get it.

I would recommend this book for the non-fiction collection of a children's library, especially for schools serving students in Prekindergarten and above.

*To comply with new guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, Norwood House Press has provided a complimentary electronic copy of Size for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publisher and is strictly my opinion.

Size Doesn't Matter When It Comes to Friendship

In Pig and Small, written and illustrated by Alex Latimer, we find that size doesn't matter when it comes to being a friend.

Pig and Small
by Alex Latimer

When Pig wakes up one morning, he discovers his nose has started to squeak. Everywhere he went and everything he did he heard the squeak coming from his nose. Since Pig is so smart, he decided to look up Squeaky Nose Syndrome, not on the Internet but in a BOOK! [Way to go Pig!!!] There were all kids of Squeaky Syndromes: Squeaky Esophagus Syndrome, Squeaky Mouth Syndrome, even Squeaky Pants Syndrome, but no Squeaky Nose Syndrome. Finally Pig decided to take a closer look at his snout. It was then he discovered the cause of his squeak...a tiny bug who was "waving and squeaking like crazy!"

The unlikely duo try to build a friendly relationship by riding bikes or playing chess. They quickly find these activities to be too difficult because of their size. Pig reads about a movie and realizes it is something the two friends can do together. After the movie they discover a number of places and things they can enjoy together, for instance an art gallery, the theater, and even a relaxing trip to the beach. A fun twist at the end emphasizes one of my favorite quotes from the book, "They forgot that one of them was big and the other was small best friends don't care about silly things like that."

For those familiar with some of Latimer's other picture books (The Boy Who Cried Ninja, Penguin's Hidden Talent, and Lion vs. Rabbit), you will not be disappointed. Each of his books not only has wonderfully detailed illustrations created with pencil drawings which are then digitized and finished with color and texture, but they also convey a life lesson for young children. Pig and Bug find their friendship is worth putting time and effort into their relationship. Discovering what you have in common and like to do together can be a challenge, especially when there is such a large size difference, however true friendship is worth the struggle in the end.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Peachtree Publishers has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.