Sort it Out! [Paperback]

Barbara Mariconda (Author), Sherry Rogers (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Packy the Packrat s mother has had enough! It s time that he sorts through his ever-growing collection of trinkets and puts them away. Told in rhyme, the text leads the reader to participate in the sorting process by categorizing Packy s piles of things according to like characteristics and attributes. The reader response is worked into the rhyme, building a sense of anticipation. The illustrations include a humorous subplot about Packy s sister, who enjoys pilfering some of his things for her own enjoyment. Children will relate to the idea of having a collection of favorite objects and the satisfaction that comes from examining and admiring these collectibles. The story promotes and reinforces analogous thinking a critical thinking skill in math, science, and life. In the supplemental activity section at the back of the book, the reader can explore even more attributes and characteristics of objects, including color, size, texture, shape, and material. Lexile code: NP.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—When Pack rat comes home with a cart full of stuff—a locket, a book, an umbrella, a pinecone, and many more random items—his mother admonishes him to sort it all out and put it away. Packy does just that, cleverly sorting things with like characteristics such as where they're found, their color, shape, etc. Children who like to collect may be inspired to bring some order to their own assortments. The illustrations are brightly colored, large, and very clear. Careful readers will notice a subplot in the pictures and find satisfaction in seeing its resolution on the final page. In addition, the rhyming text prompts them to guess the word that defines each collection. Back matter has activities to extend the experience. Most collections would benefit from this simple entry into the world of mathematics.—Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"This is a great book. It is very useful in the classroom, but also has wonderful attributes for sharing at home." --The Reading Tub

"This book is well worth adding to preschool and early grade shelves to reinforce science, math, and language lessons." --Children's Literature Comprehensive Database

"A great read-aloud storybook ideal for stimulating young minds." --Midwest Book Review

"Barbara Mariconda's strategy for teaching sorting is clever, creative and humorous. Sherry Rogers' illustrations are bright and cheerful; her Pack Rat family is charming and will appeal to young children." --Epinions.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing (May 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934359327
• ISBN-13: 978-1934359327
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #875,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review, October 5, 2008

By 

Virginia S. Grenier "Children's Author & Stor... (Ivins, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sort it Out! (Hardcover)

REVIEWED BY: Gayle Jacobson-Huset, Managing Editor

This is a very unique book, and I just loved it. Packy the Pack Rat has many collections. Mom has had enough of the messy house, so she orders Packy to sort his collections and put them all away. What kinds of collections does Packy have? Will he obey his mom, organize them, and then put them away? Or, will the Packrat household remain in disarray forever? You'll just have to read this really cute book to find out! Author Barbara Mariconda does a great job telling this charming story in rhyme in such a fun way that it invites readers to participate by guessing the next rhyming word. The illustrations are so cheerful and bright. If you look carefully at the illustrations, you may spot Packy's sister up to some very interesting antics. I give this book a high five for fun while teaching your child critical thinking skills that will help them later in life for math, science and life skills; and for the plot, the very unique collections highlighted, and for the sub-plot illustrations. This book is a keeper!

The author specifically wrote this book because when she was teaching second grade, she wanted to use books that made math and science fun. There were so few at the time, she decided to write them herself to share with her second graders and fellow teachers. I'm so glad she did!

As with all Sylvan Dell books, the end of the book contains a section called For Creative Minds that is also available online. In this section is: "Hidden Picture", "Sorting, Categorizing, and Classifying", "Scientists Sort Things Into Groups Too!" (contains a graph), "Packy's Sorting Cards" and "Writing Connection".

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read-aloud storybook ideal for stimulating young minds, December 13, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sort it Out! (Hardcover)

Featuring colorful and charming illustrations, Sort it Out! is a rhyming children's picturebook about Packy the Packrat, an anthropomorphic rodent focused on organizing his ever-growing collection as he puts the trinkets away. For example, he puts an acorn, pinecone, and cherry together because all were plucked from a tree; while his needle, locket, and dented tin kettle belong together because all three are made of metal. Surprisingly, some of his items have gone missing - his mother borrowed them for a tea party! To encourage creativity in young readers, the final few pages include some simple sorting and classifying exercises for the reader to try with "Packy's Sorting Cards", which the reader (or more likely, their parents) can photocopy from the book itself or print out from the publisher's website. A great read-aloud storybook ideal for stimulating young minds.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful 5-star children's book, June 30, 2008

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sort it Out! (Paperback)

Oh, oh! Packy the Packrat's mother is upset. Packy's collection of everything that catches his eye has grown to such proportions that she has ordered Packy to sort through everything and find a place for each treasure.

Packy begins sorting through his belongings and places them in piles according to their various characteristics and attributes. But the pile is diminishing! Things are missing! Who is pilfering from Packy's pile? It's a big surprise.

Sylvan Dell publishes many terrific children's books that entertain and educate. I have a few favorites. Sort it Out! is at the top of my list. Not only do I adore the cute little Packy, but the story is written in rhyme and begs to be spoken out loud. The illustrations are some of the best in the industry. They are in primary colors which will be attractive to children, but the scenes depicted are simply delightful. Packy should be a stuffed animal, he's that cute.

When the book has been read, turn the page and move on to the section of the book that makes fun out of learning about sorting, categorizing and classifying. Then go to Sylvan Dell's website and find the supplemental educational materials for this book.

Armchair Interviews says: For home libraries, homeschoolers and schools. Sort it Out! is a hit.