A Red Wagon Year [Library Binding]

Kathi Appelt (Author), Laura McGee Kvasnosky (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

The months of the year unfold in full color as six young children, two dogs, and their beloved red wagon embark on a journey that takes them through the seasons and through the year.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-A look at the creative ways a traditional red wagon is used by a group of children throughout the year. Its functions are varied, as it serves as a prairie schooner in March, a tractor in November, and a "fancy float with bows and stars" for the Fourth of July. An uncomplicated, rhyming text with clear, bold illustrations brings the little red wagon and its owners to life. Simple but attractive, this is a good choice for lap sharing.
Kathy Mitchell, Gadsden Co. Public Library, Quincy, FL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-6. Imaginative pictures tell the story in this joyful journey through the year. The artful verse begins: "It's a table for the winter birds / A valentine express / A prairie schooner in disguise / A red-eared turtle's nest." At center stage is a red wagon that also serves as a Fourth of July float, a Halloween spaceship, and a Christmas sleigh pulled by an antler-wearing pooch. Kids will want to pore over the 12 colorful double-page spreads to see what unfolds for the six children, two dogs, one squirrel, and many robins living in a cozy, integrated neighborhood. Adding to the fun are painterly borders that feature seasonal motifs and the name of each month. A buoyant take on a mainstay of the preschool curriculum. Julie Corsaro

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Library Binding
• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (J); 1st edition (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152779914
• ISBN-13: 978-0152779917
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #912,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A imaginative way of teaching young kids the twelve months, June 11, 2004

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Red Wagon Year (Library Binding)

"A Red Wagon Year" is a simple but elegant little book that helps children learn the months of the year by showing the many imaginative ways in which a happy company of six young children, and two dogs, use a trusty red wagon. Kathi Appelt provides simple rhyming text to explain the various uses for the red wagon: "It's a table for the winter birds / A valentine express / A prairie schooner in disguise / A red-eared turtle's nest."

The illustrations by Laura McGee Kvasnosky compliment the simple text nicely. One of the nice touches is that the colors never seem to make it to the edge of the black lines without making the child's mistake of going outside the lines. Notice that the border of the cover has iconic representations of each of the twelve months of the year depicted within the book. This book is perfect for young children, ages 2 to 4, giving them an imaginative way of learning the months of the year and appreciating some of the many ways a red wagon can be used (this is by no means a comprehensive examination of the subject).