Patty Wolcott

This was the first book I learned to read by myself (it was originally printed in 1974). I know "marvelous" is an odd word to include in an easy reader, but it was so much fun to say over and over, and felt impressive. Another reviewer said that he/she doubted kids would like the story, but it does appeal to kids. It's a wacky machine, like a human version of a carwash, and looks so much more fun than a regular bath. And that sly look that the newly-clean boy gives to the mud puddle naturally lends itself to asking kids what they think might happen next, an important literacy skill. A silly, fun book to practice reading on.… (mehr)

This is a simple example of one of those beginning to read books. The washing machine that the boy finds in the forest behind his house of all places looks like a feeble attempt at a cross between a Dr. Suess style musical instrument and the plumbing at the Crayola Factory in Easton, PA. It's very colorful, hard to make sense of, and probably not functional for the most part. If you read this, don't be surprised to find yourself describing everything as marvelous, the author's adjective of choice. It serves its purpose, mostly.… (mehr)