Review by Booklist Review
Ages 2-6. Using a format and tone similar to his four previous picture books, Going to Day Care (Booklist 82:413 N 1 85), Going to the Doctor (82:1463 Je 1 86), Going to the Potty (82:1463 Je 1 86), and New Baby (82:413 N 1 85) television's Mr. Rogers presents two more subjects of concern to young children. It's hard to imagine a more practical introduction for either parents or children to changing homes than Moving. Following a little boy and his parents from their old house to their new one, full-color photographs and simple text express both the adventure and travail of a family's relocation. From suggestions such as ``You might want to ask your mom or dad to let you pack some of your own things'' to this rueful voice of experience, ``People can get cranky when they're getting ready to move,'' Mr. Rogers never loses sight of the real issues for children nor faith in their ability to cope if they know what to expect. In Making Friends, the author explores the pleasures and problems encountered when children play together. Although friendship has been explored in countless picture-book stories, this offering is one of the few nonfiction books for preschoolers on a subject of major concern to them. Simply written, the words express an understanding of the strong and often mixed emotions of childhood. If Mr. Rogers ``levels'' with children rather than writing down to them, Judkis provides comparable illustrations by taking most of the photographs from a child's-eye view rather than shooting down from an adult's perspective. Using people who look like neighbors rather than actors or models gives the clear, colorful photos an appealing visual counterpoint to the carefully worded but informal text. Two excellent picture books that have a satisfying balance of gravity and warmth. CP.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
From its opening lines (``When people like each other and like to do things together, they're friends. Can you think of someone who's your friend?''), Rogers's inimitable voice reaches out to his small readers with understanding and reassurance. He describes the pleasures of friendship as well as potential problem areas (``When your friend decides to play with someone else for a while, do you ever feel that you aren't friends anymore?'') and helpful solutions (``Well, to be friends, the same people don't have to play together all the time. . . ''). Judkis's large color photos capture the range of emotions Rogers writes about. One of several First Experience titles, this volume addresses a serious issue with sensitivity and compassion. Ages 26. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1 Children beginning ``to share themselves with others'' as they change from playing side by side to playing together is the theme of Making Friends. In it a preschool boy and girl are shown squabbling over toys and struggling to be first on the slide ladder, as well as sharing laughs, secrets, and tea parties. The soothing text explains how friends can make you feel left out, angry, and sad and also how they can bring joy and variety into life. A multitude of successful books on friendship is available, but as a child-oriented psychological commentary on its meaning, this excels. Moving examines the fears, sadnesses, and excitements of a boy about three years old when he leaves one house and set of friends for another. He is shown helping to pack, meeting the movers, settling into his new room, exploring his new neighborhood, and telephoning an old friend. The large, brightly-colored photographs in both books are very natural in their depiction of children in play clothes in everyday settings. In Making Friends all ethnic groups are depicted, and one child wears thick glasses. Both formats are well-designed and varied, with large clear print. The writing is gentle, empathetic, and conversational. It encourages communication with parents and friends. Altogether, text and pictures in both books exude a knowledgeable reassurance designed to comfort both child and parent in potentially traumatic situations. These two books should be available to everyone who works with preschoolers. Patricia Pearl, First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, Va. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
