Popular in the 1980s - Strawberry Shortcake Came Back and Never Left
Written: Dec 10 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: fair challenge for new readers, features a character that will appeal to many young girls
Cons: not all that interesting or engaging a plot
The Bottom Line: Seems a little too challenging for a level 1 book. No real plot, no moral, no long lasting appeal.
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| jiastar's Full Review: Megan E. Bryant - Strawberry Shortcake's Filly Fri... |
As half of a married couple who are both avid readers our hope has always been to foster in our children the love of books. Of the two of our children it is our youngest who seems to have caught the bug more than the other. Encouraged by various classroom incentives she can often be found with her nose buried in one book or another.
Now in second grade, she is now beyond this book. "Filly Friends" is part of the All Aboard Reading series and is labeled as a "station stop 1" selection intended for children just beginning to read. Stations 2 and 3 become more advanced in order to appeal to children who are either reading with help or reading alone respectively.
The story does not have much in the way of a plot. It simply follows Strawberry Shortcake and her similarly scented friends on a day trip/picnic to Ice Cream Island where reside their fragrant filly friends. The girls share snacks and sweets with their horse friends, brush them, ride them, and leave for home.
For a little girl who loves the characters of the Strawberry Shortcake world this book will make a good choice to encourage her to sit down and read a book. The illustrations are bright and vivid and closely resemble any TV show or video your child may have watched featuring these characters.
Insofar as reading appropriateness, despite its claim of being written with children who are just "beginning to read" in mind this book is intended for children who have already moved beyond books with only a word or two on a page. Each page in this book contains one or two full sentences. This can be intimidating for a child that has not yet advanced to this point.
However, the words selected seem to have been done with care as most of them should be familiar to the average child in Kindergarten or in 1st grade. The most challenging words will be the names of the girls and their fillies as most young children have not had much experience reading words such as:
blueberry
blossom
milkshake
(and so on)
Additionally, much like my recent review of The Gingerbread Man, this is not a book that will stand the test of time. I doubt that your child will ask to read this one over and over again. I also doubt that you will find yourself holding on to it out of any sentimentality.
It works well for what it is. A beginning reader text which bases its appeal on featuring a popular toy. But it lacks any true staying power.
read my review of The Gingerbread Man
http://www99.epinions.com/content_410353045124
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
jiastar
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Monmouth County, NJ
Reviews written: 368
Trusted by: 126 members
About Me:
A wife ... a mom ... and a Witch
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