Jane Goodall

School Library Journal

Gr 1-2-Each title specifies a guided reading level, word count, a percent of decodability, and the number of sight words, thus enabling parents and teachers to address the reading abilities of individual children. The large, bold print on a bright white background helps to make the books accessible. A word-hunt game provides the pronunciation and pictures of select words for children to look for as they read. The distinct facts offered can easily form the basis of short reports. However, quality between the titles varies. Kittinger focuses on Goodall's work, and her story has appeal because of the many full-color photos of the chimpanzees. Nichols emphasizes Walker's career and the book is dull. Alternatively, Patricia and Fredrick McKissack's Madam C. J. Walker: Self-Made Millionaire (Enslow, 1992) is an easy biography that includes information about Walker's personal life as well as her accomplishments. Katharine Lasky's Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker (Candlewick, 2000) offers fascinating and inspiring details about this remarkable woman; its picture-book format makes it a lovely read-aloud.-Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma Library, CA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.