As a child, I was horrified by Dr. Suess.
That may sound like American-Lit sacrilege, but the illustrations looked like some bizarre, chaotic dream, the likes of which I’ve never had a shortage of. I was neither homeschooled nor sheltered, just put off by the peculiar pictures. The illustrations didn't so much scare me as they just left me unsettled. Something to do with all the creatures having pointy fingers, I think.
On the other end of the spectrum was Winnie-the-Pooh…I mean, what’s not to like about him? I even had a “Pooh Party” at age 5; one of the few birthday celebrations that stand out in my mind. Sweet, endearing sketches by E.H. Shepard, and lots of innocent trouble made Pooh and friends a comely read. Author A.A. Milne wrote a classic that has graced many a homeschool library.
Though this may sound like a trip down memory lane, it’s really a plug for an Early Reader Series that is every bit as wholesome as Pooh-Bear. My kids have outgrown the Early Reader stage by years, yet I still enjoyed the copy of Beehive Reader 1 by Marie Rippel and Renee LaTullippe (isn’t that just a fun last name?) that I was given to review.
This sweet book, the first in the series, explores the question, “what happens when...?” and takes the young reader on various adventures, peeking into what happens... with children playing in a pond...or when a bear cub takes a nap. Even silly ideas are handled with decorum, such as: what happened when Frank shrank! The illustrations are sumptuous and engaging, reminding me in many ways of the charming Pooh-Bear pictures (original sketches, of course…not Disney-fied cartoons!).
The simple words in this Beginning Level book are perfect for the early reader using one to two syllable words that subtly build in complexity as the book progresses. It is hardbound and ready to add to your home library ($19.95) when you click here. You can even take a peek and sample various stories within the book and see for yourself the quality reading and illustrations that await your child. It should leave you anxious to see the entire series, once it is released, from the same folks that brought you All-About-Spelling. I invite you to enjoy this inevitable classic with me!
Dr. Suess? Well, I have come to appreciate and enjoy his books much more as an adult reading them to my own children. But-- those pointy fingers still freak me out!