I read the book Left, Right, Emma! by Stuart J. Murphy. The book is a children’s picture story book. It is also part of the I See I Learn series. It promotes visual learning and cognitive skills while learning the different between left and right. The book was published in 2012. The books reading level is intended for ages 2-5. I found the book at the Plymouth District Library in the children’s new books section.

The story follows a young class of animals, mainly one named Emma. She loves to march around her house with her dog pickles. When her class is involved in a march for grandparent’s day, she is assigned the lead marching position. She must know her left from her right to lead the band. The book follows her experience and lessons in learning left from right.

The book contains colorful pictures and text that is informational. Every time the word left is written, it is placed in purple coloring. Every time the word right is written, it is placed in red writing. This is done so that readers can visually distinguish the words while reading. The left and right legs of the marchers are also highlighted in the certain colors to also help readers distinguish which side of the characters’ bodies are left and right. Emma also has a red string tied to her right wrist to help her distinguish her right side from her left. These are all visual aids to help students who have not yet learned the difference between right and left. The book is encouraging and instructive.

There are many activities one could do with the book to help young students learn right from left. Once could conduct a march, label objects on right and left sides of room, have students distinguish food on the left and right sides of their plates, and have students label their right and left shoes. The preface of the book states that “understanding basic directions allows young children to follow instructions, give others directions, and develop a strong spatial sense.” This book does a great job with doing just that.