Cobblestone Publication 1999

Ages 3-6.

Ladybug includes short stories, poems, and riddles. The content varies in complexity, providing a mix of material that supports independent reading or read-alouds. One story engages pre-readers by replacing keywords with pictures. The adult references the word in the illustrations’ captions, and the child will be able to chime in on the next picture in the sentence. Featured poems are rich in rhymes and repetition that will capture children’s attention.

Fanciful, brightly colored illustrations provide comprehension clues. Children will see a child flying on a giant moth, the warm colors of a birthday party in Brazil, and Rhinos in fancy outfits.

This magazine provides rich multicultural content. In this issue,“The Gift” tells the tale of a boy in Brazil gathering mangoes to trade for a birthday gift for his sister. In the illustration for the featured song, “This Little Light of Mine,” the candles of a menorah glow gently in a window. Contributing illustrators depict diversity in the characters throughout the entire magazine.

Ladybug is highly interactive. The issue includes spot-the-matches and catch-the-differences games, penguin dance steps, and take-out pages with a snowflake and penguin tic-tac-toe game that can be removed before circulating.

Young readers who prefer nonfiction are not forgotten. “What is Snow” explains how snow forms and defining characteristics of snowflakes.

Ladybug encourages parents to share the magic of reading with their children. Children will eagerly await the next issue. Recommended.… (altro)