I Think I Can

by Karen S. Robbins, Rachael Brunson

Overview

Designed to be read with a buddy, this dialogue between an aardvark and a mouse contains only kindergarten or first-grade words, making it a unique first reading book. Sentences are short, with lots of repetition for reinforcement and to build reading confidence. Early childhood specialist and former Romper Room teacher "Miss Karen" believes that reading should be easy and fun, and that reading with a buddy brings pleasure to young children. Recalling the classic children's book The Little Engine that Could, this story encourages beginning readers to believe in themselves. They will want to read it over and over again, and will be proud to say "I can read!"

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764356919
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date:	03/28/2019
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,039,161
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.44(d)
Lexile:	250L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 Months to 6 Years

About the Author

Karen Robbins is an award-winning children's author, book/toy designer,
and educator who specializes in the young child. She holds a master's of education degree.

Rachael Brunson holds a BFA from Northwest College of
Art and Design and lives in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Editorial Reviews

I Think I Can is an easy-to-follow children's picturebook designed especially to be read aloud with two people. Each two-page spread shows the aardvark speaking on the left in blue text, and the mouse speaking on the right in black text. The simple dialogue between an aardvark and a mouse uses brief sentences with repetition, the better to build confidence in the youngest of beginning readers."'Yes. I think I can sing.' / 'What do you think you can sing?' / 'I think I can sing a song.' / 'You think you can sing a song?'" A superb tool to encourage new readers, I Think I Can is highly recommended for family, elementary school, and public library picturebook collections.

Midwest Book Review

A well-structured and deceptively simple dose of encouragement for emerging readers. —Kirkus Reviews

Unlike other, wordier, “you read—I read” stories, this one is sweet and super short, leaving no excuse to forgo a quick, shared story. —Lisa Taylor, Florida State College, Jacksonville

From the Publisher

06/07/2019

PreS-Gr 1-An aardvark and a mouse share a silly conversation that begins with a simple and positive pronouncement: "I think I can." In this easy reader designed for a shared reading experience, the aardvark's dialogue consists mainly of single sentence declarations. Mouse's responses are a bit longer and serve to further the story line, "You think you can what?" The book's layout and Brunson's illustrations make it easy to focus on reading. Aardvark's words are in a large, blue font, and Mouse's words are black. Aardvark always appears on the left page against a plain white background, and Mouse always appears on the right. Both are simple cartoon characters in soft, pleasing colors with expressive, happy faces. The story culminates in a song set to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." The rhythm of the song is a bit forced, but the joy of singing and reading a song will overcome any shortcomings in meter. Unlike other, wordier, "you read—I read" stories, this one is sweet and super short, leaving no excuse to forgo a quick, shared story. VERDICT Librarians can hand-sell this book to busy parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Teachers can use it to pair confident and emerging readers for a shared experience.-Lisa Taylor, Florida State College, Jacksonville

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