Over in the Forest- Come and Take a Peek
By Marianne Berkes
Illustrated by Jill Dubin
Winner of the 2012 Florida Publisher’s Assn. President’s Gold Award (Children’s Picture Book Category)
2013 Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval
Winner of the 2013 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award
Over in the Forest-Come and Take a Peek is one of those books that should be included in every second grade classroom library because it entertains, while presenting facts.
This text gives facts about the forest that will stimulate 2nd graders’ curiosity, while the lyrical verse adds fun. It’s a great read-aloud or a book that can be read over and over as the second grader improves his/her reading skills. The pictures encourage vocabulary development, reinforce counting practice, and increase student’s comprehension skills by associating the pictures with the new words.
Other advantages of this book include discussion questions and a musical score. Music teachers can include this verse to music reinforcing the reading skills being used in the classroom.
“Hidden” animals that are not part of the text but are listed for the student to find–lots of fun for a second-grader. And finally, the author includes more facts about the animals, along with tips on how to use this information to keep second grade students engaged in learning about the environment.
I highly recommend this book for all second grade readers. It is appropriate for their age and offers information and activities that will encourage them to advance their reading skills and appreciate nature.
Title: Over in the Forest – Come and Take a Peek- Author: Marianne Berkes
- Illustrated by: Jill Dubin
- Publisher: Dawn Publications
- Reviewer: Terri Forehand
- Paperback: 32 pages
- ISBN: 978-1-58469-163-1
- Nonfiction: Nature