I See a Sign

Children's Literature - Susan Fournier

We know as parents, teachers, and caregivers, that children are growing in literacy all the time. From the time they are babies, they are beginning to make sense of the world by assigning labels and words to familiar concepts and objects. This book is one in a series called "Ready to Read." It is full of photographs and descriptions of familiar signs that children frequently see. Even before they are recognizing letters and words, they can recognize familiar objects from the world around them. These objects, such as signs, help them realize that letters and words have meaning and convey a message. Stop signs, traffic signs, restaurant signs, and warning signs are just a few highlighted in this refreshing book.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2The photo of a welcome mat on the title page opens the world of signs to youngsters. The familiar octagon-shaped STOP, railroad crossings, fire-boxes symbols, and pictorial shop signs are among the examples included. The simple text offers a brief description of, or the purpose of, each sharply reproduced, full-color sign. For example, photos of a police precinct and a fire station are accompanied by the statement, "Signs tell you where to go if you need help and where you can be of help." The last entry, a poster advertising "Free Kittens," concludes, "And sometimes, a sign tells you where to find a friend." Tana Hoban's I Read Symbols (Greenwillow, 1983) features 27 traffic and road symbols photographed in full color, but has no printed text. Beginning readers will enjoy Klove's book and have the satisfaction of decoding the words. The book would also be useful in discussions of community helpers and community awareness. Creative teachers and librarians will find limitless possibilities for incorporating this title into their curricula.Patricia Mahoney Brown, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore, NY