Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Show-Off [Paperback]

Ann Martin (Author), Nancy Poydar (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Five-year-old Olivia's new neighbor Rachel is in her kindergarten class, and they must overcome feelings of jealousy and competitiveness to be friends.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Five-year-old Olivia is excited to learn that the family moving in next door includes a girl who is just her age. But when Rachel Elizabeth joins Olivia's kindergarten class, Olivia is no longer the only one who can read and write. Not only that, but the newcomer has two first names, a grandfather who gives out candy, an adorable baby sister and her very own puppet theater. The competitiveness between the girls makes for some amusing exchanges: when Rachel announces that she is writing a story, Olivia counters with the fact that she is writing a book, which Rachel tops by saying that she wrote a book the previous year, "when I was four." A showdown at the playground leads to the inevitable resolution of the strife, and the two youngsters end up fast friends. Olivia's first-person narrative, chatty and comic, imparts a breath of fresh air to a common situation. (Commendably, no point is made of the fact that Olivia is African American while her eventual pal is white.) Filled with entertaining touches, Poydar's true-to-life illustrations scattered throughout the text adroitly capture the girls' changeable emotions. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Olivia is five years old and proud to be in kindergarten. She gets excited when a girl her age moves in next door, but her joy soon turns to jealousy when she finds that Rachel Elizabeth Parker reads as well as she does, can swing as high as she can, and has a baby sister and a puppet theater. They each decide that the other is a ``show-off'' and part company until their teacher helps them discover that their abilities complement one another. Poydar's illustrations are realistic and full of personality, especially the characters' eyes, which are captivating. Olivia is African-American and Rachel is white, but first and foremost they are strong-willed, precocious kindergarteners. Young children will easily recognize either themselves or a classmate in this lively pair. It is hoped they will also learn from the gentle lesson. This is a book that's sure to find a wide readership. --Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 38 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823410676
• ISBN-13: 978-0823410675
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ann M. Martin is the bestselling author of the momentous series The Baby-sitters Club, as well as the Main Street series. Her other acclaimed novels include "A Dog's Life," "Belle Teal," "Here Today," and the Newbery Honor Book "A Corner of the Universe." She lives in upstate New York. For more information, visit www.scholastic.com/bsc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bibliotherapy: Jealously, January 26, 2005

By 

April Stevens (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Show-Off (Paperback)

Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Show-off written by Ann Martin illustrated by Nancy Poydar

Olivia is a five-year-old kindergarten wiz. She loves the fact that she is the first to read in her class, and everyone tells her she is very good at kindergarten. Olivia gets new neighbors next door and the new neighbors have a daughter and she's in kindergarten too! Her name is Rachel and she is in the same class as Olivia. They begin to find out that they can do a lot of the same things and that when the competition and jealously comes into play. They dub each other show-offs and don't want to be each other's friend any more. The teacher helps them see that they can help each other and don't need to be jealous. The two girls become friends once again.

The subject matter in the book is current and up to date. There isn't any outdated material that I find to be present. The only thing that I found to be odd was that the class size in kindergarten was ten!
The reading level of this book is possibly first, but more along the lines of second grade. Some of the vocabulary is a little tough and is definitely not a book for beginning readers. I would have a student read it if they have been reading for a while and are comfortable readers.

The book is pretty long and contains a lot of words on the pages. I would recommend gauging your class to see whether or not they have the capability to sit through the book at that given time because it will take some time to read. I would break it up by stopping and discuss with them or have them talk to a neighbor about what's happening in the book.

The paragraphs are rather lengthy on the pages, however it is very child oriented so it should be interesting to the students. The pictures are plentiful, colorful and do a good job supporting the stories emotion.

The developmental level of this book is preschool through second grade. I don't think that I would read this book to a large group of preschoolers because I think you would probably loose them pretty quick. However, if you were reading it to one or two preschooler you would be able to engage them in the text by asking them specific questions and letting them respond. I think reading this book to a class of kindergarteners through second grader would work fine.

In the story Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Show-Off Olivia is an African American girl and Rachel is Caucasian. However, that's not made an issue in the story. It's just simply there. The issue in the story is jealousy within a friendship.

I would use this book with the whole class because I believe they could all relate in one-way or another. However, it may be appropriate to use with two students or one who is in situation where jealousy is getting in the way of their friendship with another person.

As I mentioned before the downfall of using this book is that it's rather long and you may loose some student's attention. Another one is that Olivia is in kindergarten and it may appear to be to young for first and second graders. However, once they get into the story they will see that the situation happens in all of the grades even though the story takes place in a kindergarten. The values in this book are friendship and belonging.

5.0 out of 5 stars Long, but held the interest of my very active child, March 9, 2010

By 

Busy Mom (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Show-Off (Library Binding)

My daughter LOVED this book during her kindergarten and first grade year. She could really relate to the range of emotions portrayed in Martin's story, which are vividly brought to life by Poydar's illustrations. Now age 10, she has long since moved on to much more mature text - and yet this book was such a favorite that even now she refuses to part with it.

5.0 out of 5 stars class assignment, March 13, 2003

By 

Tara (Bay City, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachel Parker, Kindergarten Show-Off (Paperback)

Olivia is an only child who is in kindergarten. She is the only one in her class who can read an write. Rachel Parker moves in next door. She also knows how to read and write. What happens between these two during class?

This is one of my favorite books. I have always enjoyed it. It shos how simple little things can get in the way of a friendship. They go back and forth trying to be better than each other and end up getting into a fight. I highly recommend this book for any child.