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Alexander Anteater's Amazing Act

by Barbara deRubertis
32p. 978-1-57565-304-4.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 1 Each book introduces a student in teacher Alpha Betty's class. Alexander wants to be in the talent show so his friends Anna Anaconda and Albert Alligator help him develop a balancing act. Bobby Baboon is carrying bananas to school for a treat and gets help counting and eating them from Bubba Bear, Barnaby Badger, and Buster Buffalo, after a little bullying. Corky Cub and his friend Connie Cougar always wear matching caps. He is sad when she moves away, but his teacher and parents help him make new friends and new caps. Dilly Dog's dangerous dancing drives everyone away, and on it goes. Each book has lots of alliteration and silliness. Some of the writing is a little forced to incorporate the correct letter. Also, the books are unlikely to develop a following among children because the characters do not continue from book to book. Each one concludes with facts about the featured animal and related activities. Reading all 26 books or doing follow-up with each letter will provide continuity, but also potential boredom."Erlene Bishop Killeen, Stroughton Area School District, WI" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
Though a couple of the story lines are not terrible, all of these books are crammed with words that include the featured letter, making for a distracting and unsatisfying reading experience. Alley's lighthearted illustrations are more limber than the texts. Unnecessary last-page features include animal facts and phonemic awareness activities. There are five other spring 2010 books in this series. Review covers these Animal Antics A to Z titles: Alexander Anteater's Amazing Act, Corky Cub's Crazy Caps, Eddie Elephant's Exciting Egg-Sitting, Gertie Gorilla's Glorious Gift, and Izzy Impala's Imaginary Illnesses.

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