Roller Coaster

PreS-Gr 2—This fun story (Harcourt, 2003), written and illustrated by Marla Frazee, tells the story of a young girl's first ride on a roller coaster. She waits in line for the coaster with her father, eventually takes her seat, and hangs on as it climbs up the hill. Terrified at first, the girl quickly realizes how much fun she is having. When the ride is over, she's ready to go again! The vibrant watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the different emotions on the faces of the riders. Amy Rubinate's incredibly expressive reading reflects the hesitation the child feels at the beginning of the ride and then the sound of sheer joy as the roller coaster zooms, zips, and loops the loop! Wonderful sound effects include carnival music, the whooshing noise of a roller coaster, and the whoops and hollers of the riders. Page-turn signals are optional. Children will be delighted.—Jenny Ventling, Dayton Metro Library, OH