Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault

Contains over 100 Sight Words

This book contains many sight words and reinforces both the upper and lower case letters in a fun and engaging manner. The book contains colorful pages, which keeps a child interested. As an added bonus, the author brings the letters to life by giving them personality (e.g. “skinned-knee D”). Both of my children loved this book when they were in preschool; they especially enjoyed the catchy phrase, “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” as they would randomly recite it throughout the day. As a parent I enjoyed reading about personified upper case letters and having my child locate the matching lower case letter on each page. Overall, four stars as both parents and children are sure to enjoy!

My Teacher’s My Friend by P.K. Hallinan

Contains over 200 Sight Words

This book contains ample sight words, representing over 70% of this book’s text. My sister, a teacher, gave this to my son a couple of months before he started kindergarten. Prior to attending school, we read this book almost every night as he loved the book! We have implemented a similar strategy with my daughter. A perfect book to read especially if they will be attending school for the first time; it can assist with the transition. At the beginning of the story, my children enjoyed choosing a character that looked like them and followed the person throughout the book. Overall, four stars as parents and children are sure to like it, teachers too!



No, David! by David Shannon

Contains over 40 Sight Words

This book is a quick read, containing only 60 words of which 70% are sight words. Emphasis is placed on the word, NO as it represents 13% of the text. In regards to its counterpart, a more uplifting word, YES, the author eloquently stated, “Yes doesn’t keep crayon off the living room wall.” SO true! Weirdly enough both of my children loved this book as preschoolers; especially when I read it with excessive infliction. The best part is by far the ending. No matter what David did his Mom loved him … how true! No, David! receives three stars as both parents and children found the book very entertaining; however, it lacks a little in the way of sight word content (other than the word No).

Where Are You Going? To See My Friend!by Eric Carle & Kazuo Iwamura

Contains over 165 Sight Words

This picture book contains many sight words, representing over 70% of the book’s text. The repetitive phrase sprinkled throughout the book contains all sight words. In fact, if you exclude the animal sounds, sight words comprise over 92% of the book’s text. My daughter was able to read this entire book with little assistance from us and it made her ecstatic! An added bonus is the book is written in two languages, English and Chinese, and even provides a song for your children to sing. Our local library recommended this book for children entering kindergarten or first grade to be read over the summer. Due to sight word content, Where Are You Going? To See My Friend recieves four stars.

Miss Mary Mackby Mary Ann Hoberman & Nadine Bernard Westcott

Contains over 175 Sight Words

My entire family enjoyed this book! My children loved the beat and I felt nostalgic while reading it. This is a great sing-a-long story filled with rhymes and clapping – can’t ask for much more in this type of book. Unless, you’re analyzing books for sight word content. Unfortunately, the book did not contain a lot of sight words, only 61%. However, what it lacked in sight word content the book made up through rhymes - another important concept for emergent readers. Our local library recommended the author, Mary Ann Hoberman, for children entering kindergarten and first grade. Overall, we give this book four stars because it was extremely entertaining while exposing children to phonemic awareness via rhyming and clapping.

Another Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown

Contains over 275 Sight Words

This book contains ample sight words, representing over 78% of its content. The book also promotes phonemic awareness; it contains many rhyming schemes. In addition, the graphics emphasizes shapes and numbers, both of which are important components of kindergarten curriculums. The ending is wonderful as the book concludes with your child looking at herself and realizing she is important. Overall, Another Important Book was not as entertaining as other books. However, its contents are excellent for a child entering kindergarten as it contains rhymes, sight words, shapes and numbers. As a result, we give this book three stars.

Oliviaby Ian Falconer

Contains over 235 Sight Words

My daughter, Emma, thoroughly enjoyed this book. She especially liked the main character, Olivia, who happens to be a very energetic pig. This book contains many sight words, representing 74% of its text. Graphically the book tells a story using simplistic drawings with minimal colors (red, white and black), yet this book captivated my daughter from beginning to end. In fact, after we finished reading the book, she wanted to read it again. We did and it proved to be as enjoyable as it was the first time for my daughter. Due to sight word content and my daughter’s love of the main character, Olivia, this book receives four stars.

Olivia … and the Missing Toy by Ian Falconer

Contains over 230 Sight Words

This review should come as no surprise given my daughter’s love of the main character, Olivia. In fact, our last trip to the library resulted in her wanting to check out three Olivia books. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed this book. Overall, this book’s content did not contain as many sight words as the previous book, Olivia; sight words only represented 63% of Olivia … and the Missing Toy’s content. Falconer uses simplistic drawings, minimal colors and a scary yet humorous plot, to captivate children. My daughter also enjoyed the first pages which sequentially depicted Olivia trying to sit her doll up. She eventually taped her to the wall, which my daughter thought was hilarious. We give this book three stars.

I love you, Mommy!by Edie Evans

Contains over 110 Sight Words

This is a family favorite for obvious reasons. How could it not be given the title? On a series note, both of my children thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as it is filled with fun activities that children do with their Mother. Each page colorfully depicts happy children and a wonderful mother. In fact, everyone is smiling in this book, even the dinosaurs! In addition, it contained a lot of sight words and a rhyming scheme. Sight words represented 65% of I love you, Mommy’s content. The ending is by far the best as it graphically depicts a very content mother and joyous daughter hugging each other! As a result, I am compelled to give this four stars. What mother wouldn’t?

I love you, Daddy! by Edie Evans

Contains over 100 Sight Words

Neither this review nor this book being a family favorite should appear as a surprise. It would be unfair to my husband. More importantly, both of my children enjoyed reading this book. In fact, we typically read both I love you, Mommy and I love You, Daddy together as they make a perfect combination. Similar to I love You, Mommy, this book is filled with fun activities that children do with their Father. Each page colorfully depicts happy children and a fantastic father. In addition, it contained many sight words and a rhyming scheme. Sight words represented almost 67% of I love you, Daddy’s content. Given the title, sight word content and rhyming scheme, I give this book four stars. What wife wouldn’t?

Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

Contains over 345 Sight Words

If you believe in God and heaven, this is a really good book. In addition, we have a wonderful little white dog, named Sydney, who will be 16 years old in September. That’s 112 years old in dog years, certainly not a sweet sixteen moment for him. This book is a very good one to read to our children to prepare them for the inevitable conversion that will occur soon. Graphically, the author did a wonderful job using bright colors and child like drawings. In addition, our local library recommended this author, Cynthia Rylant, for children entering kindergarten or first grade. This book contains over 480 words of which 71% are sight words. Given our situation and sight word content, we give Dog Heaven four stars.

Cat Heaven by Cynthia Rylant

Contains over 185 Sight Words

This review should come as no surprise since lately I’ve been performing reviews in pairs. This book is very similar to Dog Heaven; it discusses God and heaven as well as a “good black book”. Our local library recommended children entering kindergarten or first grade to read this author’s books. Graphically, Cynthia Rylant did an exceptional job using child like drawings and bright colors. Both of our children enjoyed reading this book. Sight words only represented approximately 64% of the book’s content. Despite its lack of sight word content, I feel obligated to give this book four stars because graphically the artists did a wonderful job and I can’t find it in me to give a book about Heaven anything less than a superb rating.

I Spy School Days by Jean Marzollo

Contains over 220 Sight Words

My 7 year old son enjoyed the beginning of the book but my five year old daughter did not like it as much. Both of my children enjoyed finding most of the objects. However, some were difficult to locate which ultimately led them onto another book. Sight words represented almost 55% of the books content. It is important to note, my sight word analysis excluded the extra credit riddles because my family never made it to that section of the book. The concept of an I Spy School Days book is wonderful as the book is filled with school related concepts (e.g patterns, alphabet, numbers, chalkboard). However, both of my children lost interest in the book and it did not contain a lot of sight words. As a result, we give this book one star.

My Little Car by Gary Soto

Contains over 485 Sight Words

My children enjoyed reading this book. It was not received as well as other books but they did finish reading the book. However, unlike most books, they did not ask to read it again. The author did a nice job sprinkling some Spanish words throughout the book. He even defines the words prior to reading the book. I only wished he also provided some assistance on how to correctly pronounce the words. Our local library recommended this book for children entering kindergarten or first grade. Graphically, the illustrator did a wonderful job using lots of color. Sight words represented almost 65% of the books content. Due to the lack of sight word content and my children’s interest in the book, we give this book two stars.

Fancy Nancy and the Boy From Paris by Jane O’Connor

Contains over 450 Sight Words

My daughter loves this book; it is currently a member of the elite “read it again” club. She loves the main character, Nancy, and her dog, Frenchy. The pictures are based on the art of Robin Preiss Glasser; they contain a lot of detail and color. My daughter says “they’re fancy”. This book is filled with ample sight words and high frequency words, representing over 70% of the content. In addition, you will find more advanced (”fancy”) words throughout the book which will enhance your child’s vocabulary. The book concludes by reinforcing these words as it lists them with their kid friendly/easy counterpart. This is a fabulous book (that’s a fancy word for great)! As a result, we give it five stars.

Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor

Contains over 275 Sight Words

My daughter loved this book too; it is also a member of the elite “read it again” club. This book assists children in determining what the main character, Nancy, defines as fancy and plain. She is determined to transform her entire family using both lessons and accessories, of course. This book has a humorous touch and surprisingly does not end on a fancy note but rather a warm and endearing moment. Similar to Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris, the illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser, did a fabulous job. This book is filled with many sight words, representing almost 65% of the content. In addition, it entertains our entire family. As a result, we give it five stars.

If You Take a Mouse To School by Laura Numeroff

Contains over 175 Sight Words

This book contains a lot of sight words, representing over 65% of its text. My daughter’s kindergarten teacher gave it to her on her birthday and both of my children enjoyed reading this book. It exposes children to the many elements of school. I asked both of my children questions about the classroom in the book and had them compare it to their classroom. The author does a nice job using school specific vocabulary (e.g. lunchbox, backpack, science experiment, lunchroom). In addition, the illustrator does a nice job of colorfully depicting a school and its setting. Both of my children liked this book. Since one of our favorite teachers gave it to us, we are compelled to give this book four stars.

Oh the Thinks You Can Think! by Dr. Seuss

Contains over 290 Sight Words

This is a great beginner book because it is filled with many sight words, simple sentences and a rhyming scheme. This should come as no surprise because Dr. Seuss wrote his books using a list of 250 common words. Sight words represent almost 80% of this book’s text, allowing a beginner reader to identify most words. Dr Seuss does a wonderful job illustrating the book as each page contains a colorful and whimsical picture. Both of my children loved this book. My daughter especially liked this book because she could read it with minimal assistance. Due to sight word content and both of my children’s assessments, we give this book five stars. You can certainly expect a few more Dr. Seuss book reviews!

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Contains over 700 Sight Words

This is a fabulous beginner book containing numerous sight words, a rhyming scheme and simple sentences. Dr. Suess did a superb job filling this book with abundant sight word content; sight words represent over 85% of this books content. This book assisted in establishing a family tradition. Every St. Patrick’s Day, which is also our daughter’s ½ birthday, we read this book and eat green eggs (with cheese) and ham for dinner. Both of our children love this book as well as our tradition. Dr. Seuss does an wonderful job illustrating this book. This book deserves nothing less than five stars!

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Contains over 60 Sight Words

Both of my children loved reading this book when they were young. We typically read this book every night before bed. I often wondered why they enjoyed this book so much as there’s minimal content – that’s what makes it a good book! It contains rhymes and repetition; two good components in a picture book. In addition, my children loved pointing to the items in the picture. Unfortunately this book does not contain a lot of sight words, they represent 48% on the content. However, if you include the word goodnight, the content increases significantly to over 63% (good & night are both sight words). While this book lacked sight word content, its use of repetition and rhymes make it a great picture book. We give this book 4 stars.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr

Contains over 150 Sight Words

This is an excellent beginner book because it contains repetition of familiar words in simple sentence patterns. Each sentence is eight words or less and most of the sentences repeat basic high frequency sight words (approximately 6 out of 8). Sight words represent almost 77% of this book’s text, allowing a beginner reader to identify most words. The repetition and rhyming are wonderful features as my daughter can recite the entire book without opening the book. If your child is just beginning to learn to read this book is perfect as the content focuses on familiar topics - animals and colors. The illustrator, Eric Carle does a wonderful job drawing colorful animals, students and a teacher. We give this book five stars!

Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr

Contains over 125 Sight Words

This book is very similar to Brown Bear, Bear Brown What Do You See? except this books depicts animals typically found in a zoo and uses the sense of hearing. Both are great beginner books. However, my daughter prefers the brown bear version, probably because she memorized the book. Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? contains repetition of familiar words in simple sentence. Most of the sentences are either six or eight words and repeat basic high frequency sight words (e.g. What do you hear? I hear a ___ in my ear.). Sight words represent almost 65% of this book’s text. Eric Carle, the illustrator, does a wonderful job drawing colorful zoo animals, a zoo keeper and children. We give this book four stars!

A Rainbow of Friends by P.K. Hallinan

Contains over 180 Sight Words

This book caught my eye in the doctor’s office and exceeded my expectations! This is a fabulous beginner book filled with many sight words and a rhyming scheme. Sight words represent over 70% of the book’s text. This book discusses the many factors of a friendship – e.g. peace, diversity, acceptance, trust and teamwork. Every child should read this book and every parent should teach a child the value of being and having a true friend. The author did a wonderful job illustrating this book as it is filled with bright and colorful pictures. I will conclude with my favorite excerpt from the book. “So reach out with love to the people you meet and offer a smile to those you greet.” Five stars as it deserves nothing less!