Say It!

It's a golden, windy autumn day, and a mother and daughter set out walking among the swirling leaves. As they wend their way, they share little adventures--spying a kitten, seeing the trees zigzag with streaks of color, catching some floating milkweed, watching the setting sun color the clouds. Throughout their walk, the girl keeps urging her mother to "say it" with more and more persistence. What could "it" be? A quiet story that shows the many ways love is expressed in the small moments shared between mother and child.

I'm so glad Zolotow's works are being re-released. Not sure exactly why they're getting new illustrations (have theories, but no drive to research), especially in this case where the two artists' styles are so similar.

But glad that Candlewick knows the value of the luminosity of Zolotow's small stories about the things that make the big impressions on children. In this case, the scuffing and scrunching of walking through the leaves and meeting new neighbors....

Monti C. Katrib
EDUC 417.006
Reading Log #6
SAY IT!
Written by: Charlotte Zolotow
Illustrated by: Charlotte Voake
Published by: Candlewick Press (2015)

I liked reading this book. This book was very sweet and I think it would be perfect for mothers and their little ones to read together. I think this book is definitely best fit for preschool aged children, however this book would be a nice read for slightly older kids too because it talks about the bond a children and their mother has, which is relatable to a lot of kids. One reason I liked reading SAY IT was because of how realistic it is and how relatable it is. The mother and daughter and daughter go on a simple walk outside during autumn and they play a game many kids play with their show more parents where the child wants mom or dad to say one thing, and they say something completely unrelated because they know it will make their child laugh. Another reason why I liked this book was because of the descriptive language Voake used to describe the beautiful autumn scenery the mother and daughter were walking through. Finally I liked the illustrations in this book they were full colorful and paired good with the words on the page. The message I got out of this book is that the bond between a mother and her child is very strong, and mothers have many ways of saying "I love you" to their kids. show less

This represents Realistic Fiction because it is a story that is true to life, and that allows students to connect and empathize with the characters. The mother and daughter are on an adventure and they interact in a way many children experience. This makes it easy for them to relate with. The daughter in this story is the protagonist and we know this because of how the author centers the story around her speaking. She is a round, or growing, character since we find out more about her as the story unfolds. She is revealed through her interactions, thoughts, and the narrator. The media used in this book is watercolor. It would be best for the Primary or Intermediate Levels.

A little girl and her mother are on a walk looking at beautiful scenery. The little girl keeps telling her mother to "say it." Knowing what her daughter wants but being silly the mother says okay and describes something like the beautiful lake, or the dog they see. At the end of the walk when the little girl says "say it" one last time, her mother finally says, I love you!

A little girl and her mother go on a walk through a forest. The little girl keeps telling her mom to say "it" and her mom keeps saying different things and the little girl says that's not it. Finally at the end the mom tells the little girl she loves her and the little girl says that's what I wanted you to say all day and the mom replies that's what I have been saying all along.

Ages 4-5

Source: Pierce College Library

This book is about a mother and daughter who are walking on an autumn day. They are outside on their walk and they see leaves, a cat, a dog, trees and water, fluff from buckweed, and smoke from their chimeny which meant the father was there to welcome them home. Throughout the walk the little girl would always tell her mom " Say it! say it say it say it! " Her mom would always say something but it wasnt what the little girl wanted. Finally when they got to their house the little girl said "Say it!" I love you, I love you, I love you she the mom. Thats whats the little girl had been wanting to hear the whole time and her mom finally said it.