Cooperation

Children's Literature

Elementary school children will learn about the virtue of cooperation in this book from the "Character Education" series. Cooperation is defined as working with others to reach common goals. Each chapter explains simple ways readers can practice cooperation with friends and family, in school, and in the community. The text is easytoread large print, and is accompanied by fullcolor photographs. A brief biography of Wilbur and Orville Wright is included as an example of the way the brothers worked together to invent the first airplane. Also included is a handson classroom activity to form a team and clean a local park. The consultant for this series, Dr. Madonna Murphy, is an education professor, and a member of the Character Education Partnership. She travels to schools to promote character education programs, and is the author of Character Education in America's Blue Ribbon Schools. This book will make a useful addition to a social studies program, as well as a valuable resource for an elementary school library. 2000, Bridgestone Books/Capstone Press, Ages 5 to 10, $17.26. Reviewer: Cheryl Peterson

School Library Journal

K-Gr 1-These titles hold little interest for children. Each page of text is paired with a full-page, color photograph illustrating the topic or concept presented. The writing is stilted and repetitive and the pictures look staged. "Prudence" is an odd choice for young children as it is unlikely to be in their vocabulary. Youngsters will learn these concepts better through real-life experiences and stories. Start with Lisa Campbell Ernst's Zinnia and Dot (Viking, 1992) for a tale about cooperation and as for prudence, some fables of Aesop come to mind.-Denise Reitsma, Howe Library, Hanover, NH Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|