Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Neighborhood Sing-Along by Nina Crews –NOT RECOMMENDED

Crews, Nina The Neighborhood Sing-Along 64 pgs. Greenwillow Books, 2011. $12.23 EARLY READER
This book is a collection of 34 of the classic short songs which have been sung by children for generations, accompanied by photography of kids in neighborhood situations that match. For example, the song Wheels on the Bus features a photograph of kids in a city waiting to get on a bus and playing inside.
As an educator, you shouldn’t need a book to know these songs (unless that book comes with a CD or piano music), neither will any teacher at your school. Since everyone knows these songs, to me the whole point was the photography, to use the photos to illustrate the song. But there was just something odd about some of the photos, which I finally decided was the use of photoshop to paste extra kids into some of the scenes. I am not impressed with the quality of the photography overall, let alone with blatent skimping of setting up actual photographs. But what this boils down to is would a student find enjoyment in this? These are songs, best accompanied by knowing the tune or rhythm, so without that I would have to say No.
Pre-K, EL –NOT RECOMMENDED. Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate.

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