I Am Respectful (Pebble Books)

Sarah Schuette has written nearly 80 nonfiction children's books with themes relating to character values, cooking, family relationships, and the popular Spot It seek and find titles. Sarah began her career as an editor and eventually moved into photo shoot styling. She loves finding props, cooking, and styling the food that appears in the photographs in her books.

It can be difficult for young children to grasp abstract concepts. This series has discovered an effective formula accessible to beginning readers. This new series on character values features simple declarative sentences arranged in repetitive patterns. Text is limited to one or two sentences per page, printed in an oversized font. The facing page consists of a color photo of young children engaged in everyday activities that closely align with the printed material. Each book follows the same format. The first statement provides a definition of the value and then subsequent pages show concrete examples. The books are small, and will appeal to their intended audience. Instructional features include tables of contents, glossaries, and indexes that double as word lists. Each selection also provides a further reading list. Researchers are directed to the FactHound Web page, a simplified search engine maintained by the publishers that features screened, age-appropriate links to related sites. The first four titles address patriotism, generosity, tolerance and being polite. Additional topics include caring, cooperation, honesty, patience, respect, and responsibility. Recommended. --Library Media Connection; Vol. 23, No. 6; Page 75, March 2005