All About Boats
Written by David and Zora Aiken
Illustrated by David Aiken
I am always fascinated at the infinite array of alphabet books for children. Whether it is animals or machines or places, there seems to be no topic that can’t be turned into an alphabet book! I think this is a great idea, because it provides children with the opportunity to explore new topics and learn new vocabulary in a fun, yet structured format.
All About Boats is one of the latest additions to the alphabet genre. This book is about—you guessed it!—boats. The authors cover every aspect of boating, from the equipment and parts of the boat to weather conditions. Each letter appears on its own page, with the featured word in bold type so it stands out. Appealing, cartoon-style illustrations illustrate the featured word and help readers visualize its purpose and function. The cute illustrations were my favorite part of the book and they fit perfectly with the lively rhyming text.
All About Boats is a lively and fun choice for a second grade library. The reading level is simple enough that second graders can read the book independently, and the text and illustrations are definitely appealing to a younger age group. At the same time, the rhyming text makes this a good selection for a classroom read aloud. Teachers would find it easy to incorporate the featured words into a reading worksheet or spelling lesson. They could also use the book to encourage students to create their own alphabet books based on other vehicles or topics they are interested in. All About Boats is a simple book, but it could lead to a fun and lively learning adventure for second graders!
Title: All About Boats- Written by David and Zora Aiken
- Illustrated by David Aiken
- Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2012
- Hardback: 32 pages
- ISBN 978-0-7643-4184-7
- Genre: Alphabet Books