Excuse Me, I'm Trying to Read

Amani, Mary Jo. 2012. EXCUSE ME, I’M TRYING TO READ. Ill. by Lehla Eldridge. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. ISBN 9781934133514 [Suggested Grade Levels pK- 2]

REVIEW

How is a girl to read when all the animals around keep interrupting? On each page, this humorous book for young readers illustrates just what might happen when someone tries to read with animals in the African jungle: an elephant might disturb with its spray, a dung beetle might pollute the air with bad smells, and impalas might crowd. Of course, the tables turn when the animals get interrupted by the young girl. This book was awarded the National Association of Elementary School Principal’s Children’s Book of the Year Contest.

CONNECTIONS

Consider using this book as a model for developing a class or group book based on another habitat. For example, a group of second graders learning about Texas geography could each select different Texas animals to illustrate how each of those animals might affect someone trying to read.

RELATED BOOKS

Other books for children about reading:

Bloom, Becky. WOLF! ISBN 9780531301555

Brus, Deborah. BOOK! BOOK! BOOK! 9780439135252

Duvoison, Roger. PETUNIA. 9780440417545

Lehman, Barbara. THE RED BOOK. ISBN 9780618428588

Sierra, Judy. WILD ABOUT BOOKS. ISBN 9780375825385

By Maria Cahill