Respect: Level Three Reader

Children's Literature

Young readers will easily understand the concept of respect through the many tangible examples this book offers. Readers are encouraged to show respect through following rules, caring for property, listening to friends, collecting trash, and using simple words such as "please" and "thank you." There are suggestions on how one can demonstrate respect at home, in school, and in the community at the end of the book. Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor of Mount Rushmore, is highlighted as one who showed respect to former presidents through art. However, the controversy surrounding the location of the monument (evidently on sacred Native American ground) is also discussed, leaving the reader confused. Was Borglum respectful or not? The color photographs that accompany each page illustrate ways that respect can be displayed in the different areas of a child's life. There is a glossary, index, and reference section at the back of the book. This book is helpful for those trying to teach the abstract concept of respect, as well as those encouraging early readers to step beyond super easy text. It is part of the "Wonder Books" series. 2003, The Child's World, Ages 3 to 7.
— Andrea Sears Andrews

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Each title defines a character trait by presenting vignettes that demonstrate it. The first book presents suggestions for being and making a friend. In the second, the vignettes give examples of honesty at home, in school, and in the community. Respect shows model behavior toward teachers, classmates, friends, neighbors, and the environment. Each spread includes a full-page, full-color photo and a page of large-print text that poses a dilemma and then suggests the proper behavior. The situations and photographs in each book provide opportunity for discussions. Each title connects the character trait to a figure from history, providing the opportunity to connect the lesson across the curriculum. As more and more schools have adopted character-education programs, appropriate literature, both fiction and nonfiction, is needed to support them. These books will help fill that need.-Christine E. Carr, Lester C. Noecker Elementary School, Roseland, NJ Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.