Disney Lit - Igniting a passion for reading and learning in children: October 2014

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Cars/Planes: Fly-and-Drive Read-Along Storybook and CD

Title: Cars/Planes: Fly-and-Drive Read-Along Storybook and CD
Genre: Audiobook, Picture Book
Reading Level: Ages 6-8
Multicultural: Features car and plane characters of various cultural backgrounds. Also, Cars 2 and Planes take place in various places around the world.

This book is a collection of four stories featuring the Cars and Planes characters. The stories include Cars, Cars 2, and Planes, which basically retell the stories of the movies. The other story is Air Mater, which is based on the Car Toons episode of the same name and features characters from both Cars and Planes.

Cars/Planes: Fly-and-Drive Read-Along Storybook makes a great pick for fans of the Cars and Planes movies that are beginning to read independently as it presents familiar stories along with illustrations. The accompanying CD that reads the story not only helps early readers enjoy the book independently; but it also adds a variety of sound effects and background music to enhance the story experience.

Types of Readers Book Might Appeal To & Multiple Intelligence Categories

Fans of the Cars and/or Planes movies
The background music, sound effects, and voice actors on the CD may help encourage readers that are interested in music and/or are auditory learners. (Musical)
The colorful illustrations that show the action of the plot can help draw in visual learners and with the CD reading the story they can be easier to enjoy as you hear the story. Visual learners beginning to read may also benefit from being able to see and follow the text as they listen to the CD. (Spatial-Visual)
The stories provide examples of characters understanding others and working together such as Lightning McQueen helping the King finish his last race and revitalizing Radiator Springs. (Interpersonal)

Activities for Further Learning and Fun

Related Books I've Reviewed

Subscribe below to be notified by e-mail when new reviews are posted.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Disney Frozen: The Christmas Party by Andrea Posner-Sanchez

Title: Disney Frozen: The Christmas Party
Author: Andrea Posner-Sanchez
Genre: Picture Book, Fantasy
Reading Level: Ages 4-6

In The Christmas Party, the characters from Disney's Frozen are getting ready for a Christmas party. As a Step 2 reader, the book is designed for readers that recognize familiar words and sound out new words with help. It does a good job of featuring simple sentences and basic vocabulary; but the plot is a little too simplified.

The Christmas Party can be a fun book to encourage Frozen fans to read, especially visual learners that may enjoy the detailed and action filled illustrations. However, since the plot is somewhat disjointed including not even featuring the actual party, the book really misses out on becoming a fun holiday book for reading together for entertainment. The punch out ornaments can be fun for decorating, though, and those do somewhat make up for the poor plot in terms of value.

Types of Readers Book Might Appeal To & Multiple Intelligence Categories

Frozen fans
The detailed and action filled illustrations such as the snowball fight scene can help draw in visual learners. (Spatial-Visual)