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"The average reading level of American parents of young children is 7th or 8th grade, but 80% of pediatric materials f... More
Summary: Jake's first stop at the Texas State Fair is the Cotton Candy booth. As he enjoys his favorite confection, oblivious to the world, the fair is undergoing a pink transformation. This is a story that weaves a tall tale with fantasy.
Type of Reading: family reading, anytime reading, read aloud book, elementary reader
Recommended Age: read together: 4 to 8; read yourself: 6 to 9
Interest Level: 4 to 9
Age of Child: Started reading with child nearly 3 years old. STILL reading this at nearly 5 years old.
Little Kid Reaction: This is a regular must-read in our house (now going on 2 years). It took a couple of readings--and some time explaining the pictures--but now we have to read it every night.
Big Kid Reaction: This is a cute story, with enough subtlety and adult humor to make the repeated readings fun for parents, too. It was have an beyond-the-ordinary story and some clever problem solving.
Pros: You can expand your child's vocabulary. Our nearly three-year-old is now saying "what in tar-nation" routinely.
Cons: None really. The book could become as sickeningly-sweet and sticky as the confection itself after a while. If you don't have one already, you may catch yourself talking with a Texas drawl.
Borrow or Buy: If you love State Fairs (and/or cotton candy), definitely buy it. Even if you don't buy it, this is a must-read for your library list.
Educational Themes: If you want to inspire or encourage your kids to be creative--and think of new adventures with every-day objects, this is a good book for jumpstarting their imagination.
Literary Categories: Fiction - folklore, humor
Date(s) Reviewed: September 2004, June 2006
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