Phoebe Sounds It Out

by Julie Zwillich, Denise Holmes (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet Phoebe. Unfortunately, her name doesn’t look quite like it sounds. At school, her classmates practice writing their names, but Phoebe struggles. Her teacher tells her to “just sound it out.” Phoebe doubts herself and procrastinates before resolving to try. Readers are privy to her funny, endearing interior monologue and little-kid rationale as she writes the result: FEEBY.

Told in a relatable, introspective voice, this school story conveys the feelings and worries of a 5-year-old and supports learning about sounds and letters. Readers will see from Phoebe’s fellow kindergartners’ attempts that everyone makes mistakes, and that we can take pride in effort and not just perfection.

LEVELING
Grade Range: Pre-K–2
Fountas & Pinnell: J
Reading Recovery: 17
Lexile: AD 590L

COMMON CORE
RL.1.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9
L.1.1,1b,1e,1f,2,2a,2b,2d,2e,4
L.1.4b,4c,5,5a,5b,5c,5d,6
RF.1.1,2,2a,2b,2c,2d,3,3a,3e,4
SL.1.1,1b,1c,2,3,4,5,6
W.1.3,5,6,8

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781771471640
Publisher:	Owlkids Books
Publication date:	04/11/2017
Series:	Phoebe
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	636,178
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Julie Zwillich is best known as a television personality, writing and hosting shows on Food Network (Summer’s Best), CBC (Surprise! It’s Edible Incredible!) and TVOKids. She is also an actor, voiceover artist and producer. Phoebe Sounds It Out is her first book. Julie lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and twins.

Denise Holmes is an illustrator who lives in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and daughter. Her days are spent drawing in her studio and her nights are filled with cooking, exploring the neighborhood and reading many books to her daughter before bed. See more of her work at niseemade.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Zwillich uses humour and sincerity to depict Phoebe's rationale while spelling her name. This allows young readers, parents and educators alike to delight in Phoebe's distractions while providing space for empathy."

Resource Links

"Authentic...young readers will be able to sympathize with Phoebe's feelings... Highly recommended."

Canadian Review of Materials

"Young audiences will enjoy this reassuring tale. Older, more sophisticated scholars who have been introduced to digraphs and blends will love being in the know about Phoebe's unique spelling challenges."

Booklist

"Young audiences will enjoy this reassuring tale. Older, more sophisticated scholars who have been introduced to digraphs and blends will love being in the know about Phoebe's unique spelling challenges."

Booklist

05/01/2017
PreS-K—Phoebe wants everything to make sense in her environment, including the favorite boots she wears to start the day. They are not galoshes or wellies, as Mama and Grandma like to call them, but rain boots, and, when the weather is fair, sun boots. When it comes time for the child to learn how to write her name in school, she doesn't think it makes sense that the word Phoebe starts with the letter P (which is better suited for words such as popcorn and pencils). Both classroom teachers tell the girl to "just sound it out," which results in what one teacher cheerfully calls a "great start" after Phoebe confidently writes the word Feeby> in decorative glitter glue. For teachers who take the inventive spelling approach, Zwillich's gentle, savvy picture book should leave its mark. Children who struggle with some of the more complex rules of the English language should especially appreciate the fun way Phoebe learns in class. The girl's favorite teacher, who is kind and smart, completely understands her student's love of boots and her unique way of spelling, which she considers nothing less than a valiant first effort. Holmes's simple pastel illustrations, featuring soft pinks, oranges, yellows, and blues, aptly suit Phoebe's logical, simplistic view about sounding out the letters in her name. Phoebe and Ms. Martha appear to be people of color, which further emphasizes the overall message that individual differences are welcomed and accepted. VERDICT An appealing addition to books that introduce the intricate process of writing in an enjoyably creative manner.—Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY

School Library Journal

2017-02-04
What's in a name? How do you spell it?Brown-skinned Phoebe and her classmates, evidently kindergarteners, are practicing writing their names. Noticing how Mama sewed the name on her backpack, Phoebe realizes it isn't spelled phonetically, despite a teacher's instruction to "just sound it out." Studying the alphabet chart, Phoebe recognizes that F makes the initial sound of her name. So she writes, sounding out as she goes, until the final result: Feeby, which is praised as "a great start." New spellers will relate to Phoebe's dilemma, but there are glaring logical lapses here. First, Phoebe spies her name on the backpack before her teacher asks her to "sound it out." If the kids are simply practicing writing their names, wouldn't she copy Mama's version instead of believing that Mama got it wrong? Moreover, many children entering school know how to spell their names, which they're likely not encouraged to spell phonetically. Finally, are teachers really so nonchalant when students misspell their names? Still, there's a lesson here for kids wading into the vagaries of English spelling, and it's reassuring that mistakes are forgiven. The flat, cheerful, cartoony illustrations depict racially diverse students and adults (in addition to Phoebe, her mom, some of the children, and one of the teachers have brown skin); a girl is shown in a wheelchair, and a wall chart features Braille. Flawd but makes a point about fun with fonicks. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews

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