Phoebe sounds it out

Today's school task is to sound out and write your name. This should be easy for Phoebe, since Mom stitched it onto Phoebe's backpack, but those letters can't possibly be right. P is for popcorn. And an o? Phoebe doesn't want to embarrass Mom, so, in between trying out her boots on different feet and twirling her pencil, she does her best: F e e b y. Feeby! When Ms. Martha, her teacher, comes to check, she says, Something's not right. Momentary worry is alleviated when Ms. Martha returns with glitter glue. Phoebe hands in Feeby, and Ms. Martha congratulates her on a great start. Young audiences will enjoy this reassuring tale. Older, more sophisticated scholars who have been introduced to digraphs and blends will love being in the know about Phoebe's unique spelling challenges. The colorful pen-and-ink illustrations aptly capture the diverse characters and cozy classroom atmosphere. Whether accompanied by a lesson on phonics or read as a stand-alone story, the dual messages of doing your best and not being afraid to try come through.--McBroom, Kathleen Copyright 2017 Booklist

PreS-K-Phoebe wants everything to make sense in her environment, including the favorite boots she wears to start the day. They are not galoshes or wellies, as Mama and Grandma like to call them, but rain boots, and, when the weather is fair, sun boots. When it comes time for the child to learn how to write her name in school, she doesn't think it makes sense that the word Phoebe starts with the letter P (which is better suited for words such as popcorn and pencils). Both classroom teachers tell the girl to "just sound it out," which results in what one teacher cheerfully calls a "great start" after Phoebe confidently writes the word Feeby in decorative glitter glue. For teachers who take the inventive spelling approach, Zwillich's gentle, savvy picture book should leave its mark. Children who struggle with some of the more complex rules of the English language should especially appreciate the fun way Phoebe learns in class. The girl's favorite teacher, who is kind and smart, completely understands her student's love of boots and her unique way of spelling, which she considers nothing less than a valiant first effort. Holmes's simple pastel illustrations, featuring soft pinks, oranges, yellows, and blues, aptly suit Phoebe's logical, simplistic view about sounding out the letters in her name. Phoebe and Ms. Martha appear to be people of color, which further emphasizes the overall message that individual differences are welcomed and accepted. VERDICT An appealing addition to books that introduce the intricate process of writing in an enjoyably creative manner.-Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

What's in a name? How do you spell it?Brown-skinned Phoebe and her classmates, evidently kindergarteners, are practicing writing their names. Noticing how Mama sewed the name on her backpack, Phoebe realizes it isn't spelled phonetically, despite a teacher's instruction to "just sound it out." Studying the alphabet chart, Phoebe recognizes that F makes the initial sound of her name. So she writes, sounding out as she goes, until the final result: Feeby, which is praised as "a great start." New spellers will relate to Phoebe's dilemma, but there are glaring logical lapses here. First, Phoebe spies her name on the backpack before her teacher asks her to "sound it out." If the kids are simply practicing writing their names, wouldn't she copy Mama's version instead of believing that Mama got it wrong? Moreover, many children entering school know how to spell their names, which they're likely not encouraged to spell phonetically. Finally, are teachers really so nonchalant when students misspell their names? Still, there's a lesson here for kids wading into the vagaries of English spelling, and it's reassuring that mistakes are forgiven. The flat, cheerful, cartoony illustrations depict racially diverse students and adults (in addition to Phoebe, her mom, some of the children, and one of the teachers have brown skin); a girl is shown in a wheelchair, and a wall chart features Braille. Flawd but makes a point about fun with fonicks. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Today's school task is to sound out and write your name. This should be easy for Phoebe, since Mom stitched it onto Phoebe's backpack, but those letters can't possibly be right. P is for popcorn. And an o? Phoebe doesn't want to embarrass Mom, so, in between trying out her boots on different feet and twirling her pencil, she does her best: F—e—e—b—y. Feeby! When Ms. Martha, her teacher, comes to check, she says, "Something's not right." Momentary worry is alleviated when Ms. Martha returns with glitter glue. Phoebe hands in Feeby, and Ms. Martha congratulates her on a great start. Young audiences will enjoy this reassuring tale. Older, more sophisticated scholars who have been introduced to digraphs and blends will love being in the know about Phoebe's unique spelling challenges. The colorful pen-and-ink illustrations aptly capture the diverse characters and cozy classroom atmosphere. Whether accompanied by a lesson on phonics or read as a stand-alone story, the dual messages of doing your best and not being afraid to try come through. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.

PreS-K—Phoebe wants everything to make sense in her environment, including the favorite boots she wears to start the day. They are not galoshes or wellies, as Mama and Grandma like to call them, but rain boots, and, when the weather is fair, sun boots. When it comes time for the child to learn how to write her name in school, she doesn't think it makes sense that the word Phoebe starts with the letter P (which is better suited for words such as popcorn and pencils). Both classroom teachers tell the girl to "just sound it out," which results in what one teacher cheerfully calls a "great start" after Phoebe confidently writes the word Feeby> in decorative glitter glue. For teachers who take the inventive spelling approach, Zwillich's gentle, savvy picture book should leave its mark. Children who struggle with some of the more complex rules of the English language should especially appreciate the fun way Phoebe learns in class. The girl's favorite teacher, who is kind and smart, completely understands her student's love of boots and her unique way of spelling, which she considers nothing less than a valiant first effort. Holmes's simple pastel illustrations, featuring soft pinks, oranges, yellows, and blues, aptly suit Phoebe's logical, simplistic view about sounding out the letters in her name. Phoebe and Ms. Martha appear to be people of color, which further emphasizes the overall message that individual differences are welcomed and accepted. VERDICT An appealing addition to books that introduce the intricate process of writing in an enjoyably creative manner.—Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY