Chris L. Demarest

The Cowboy by Chris Demarest shows details of the cowboy culture and some of their history. Each page represents a letter, a-z, and illustrates a corresponding cowboy detail that starts with that letter. It's a charming book that gives a colorful look into a culture that is very prevalent in Oklahoma.

Though, life on the Frontier is dated, this part of the country is full of cattle ranchers and farmers. That culture was foreign to a Dallas girl, like me, until I moved to Oklahoma. This book show more gave a detailed glimpse into that Cowboy lifestyle. I loved this book.

In class, I would use this book and other book about different cultures to teach about people who live in our community. I highly recommend it for every classroom, especially in Oklahoma! I hope this would help bring unity in the classroom. show less

In the foreward Mayer makes it clear that this alphabet book was inspired by the travel posters of the 1920s. While this leads to a beautiful, stylized collection of illustrations, I'm not sure that kids are going to understand most of what's going on here. Preschoolers fascinated with things that go might enjoy the book, but the letters aren't always apparent enough for the same audience to identify; I couldn't identify one of them without the key and I have a few years on the preschool show more crowd. The inclusion of a key to where the letters in each picture are hidden in two places, on both the back jacket and a page in the back of the book, helps those who are unable to decipher the puzzles. The illustations would make a lovely set of alphabet posters for decorative purposes, but I'm not sure how well this works as an actual alphabet book. show less

I absolutely loved this book of poems. All of the poems are so cute and funny, they had me laughing out load. I would love to have a copy of this in my classroom to share with the students. The illustrations were bright and colorful. When the reader is reading these poems, they can envision a child wrote this and see it in your head. This book dares readers to be a little silly and use their imagination.

Summary:
Firefighters A to Z is a mix between an alphabet book and a book about firefighters. This informational book goes through the entire alphabet relating each letter to the job of a firefighter.

Review:
Great book for Kindergarten or lower level readers who are just beginning the process of learning how to read. The use of the alphabet and intriguing illustrations are great clues that will help children to read Firefighters A to Z. The text is informational by illustrating and labeling show more all of the pieces of a firefighter's uniform. The book also uses rhyming words which can be helpful clues to young children if they are stuck on a particular word. The book also addresses teamwork and the importance of working together which can be a useful tool because many young children look up to firefighters. show less