Customer Reviews

Sort it Out!

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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".

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.

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.

The story is wonderful but the illustrations are what my grandchildren love. The characters have such personality thanks to the artist.