I Spy a Pumpkin

All-new, easy-to-read riddles by Jean Marzollo are paired with fun, gently spooky photographs culled from previously published I Spy books to create the ninth I Spy reader. With rhythm, rhyme, and picture clues, this book is written to support the newest reader.

All-new, easy-to-read riddles by Jean Marzollo are paired with fun, gently spooky photographs culled from previously published I Spy books to create the ninth I Spy reader. With rhythm, rhyme, and picture clues, this book is written to support the newest reader.

Children's Literature

Utilizing Wick's amazing photographs, Marzollo's "riddles" challenge readers to find a variety of objects hidden in plain sight within the elaborate arrangements of small "collectibles." The left hand page has a rhyme and rebus-like pictures of an object which readers are urged to locate on the facing page. The words "I spy two thimbles" are accompanied by a picture of two thimbles (the pictures do not substitute for the words). Some of the items (including the thimbles) may need adult explanation which will be a great springboard for discussions with children. The last pages of the book have lots of activities such as matching words, naming words that start with certain letters, listing words that rhyme, etc. My quibble with the page of words starting with "TR" is that it gives the capital letters as the example and then shows lower case tr next to the object (tree) it goes with; of course, clever teachers/parents/caregivers will use this opportunity to discuss these two different ways of writing the same letters. Back matter includes "Fluency Fun" and "Notes to Parents." This title is part of the "Scholastic Reader" series and is rated Level 1. Making reading fun is a huge step toward creating life-long readers; this book has the added benefit of stimulating visual acuity, perception, focus, and attention to detail.