Review by Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. At first glance, this book in the Exploring the Elements series appears to be a traditional picture book in which a multicultural cast of children at the beach, in the country, and in the city tell why they like the wind and ask questions related to their experience. But there's a nice surprise: each right-hand page folds out to reveal the answer to the child's question along with several spot illustrations that help demonstrate the wind's impact. For instance, a girl with a bubble wand likes the way the wind blows her bubbles and wonders why they burst. The foldout opens to show in a simple yet memorable way what happens from the time the bubble leaves her wand to when it pops. Lafrance's acrylic paintings offer attractive scenes of children at play as well as good visual explanations. A user-friendly introduction to the science behind everyday occurrences. ---Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Preschool) Kaner establishes the book's pattern early. On each double-page spread, a child expresses why he or she likes the wind (""because it pushes my boat""). The child then wonders how the event happens (""I wonder why the wind blows""). Readers then lift a flap for a scientific explanation and turn the page for the next sequence of likes, musings, and information. The narrative sections are illustrated in child-friendly acrylics, with the scientific explanations under the flaps set off on white backgrounds. The questions the characters have about the wind are well matched to the audience (""I wonder what a cloud feels like""; I wonder why bubbles burst""). Clear diagrams supplement the scientific details, providing a natural introduction for kids just beginning to make meaning through such figures. Still, the book is content heavy, and twelve explanations may push the attention spans of many preschoolers. The good news is that the book doesn't have to be read in one sitting or even consecutively; young readers may stop and start at any point their interests take them. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
