Iris and Walter and the Field Trip
Kindergarten-Grade 2–A class trip to an aquarium is the topic for this slim, four-chapter volume. The book flows logically, first with the teacher discussing the outing with her class, followed by discussion at Iris's house with her friend. Despite all the planning, Walter temporarily goes missing (he is unaware that he's lost) at the crowded facility. Miss Cherry handles the crisis with calm competence and reassurance, and in no time all are reunited. Guest has written a solid story without resorting to melodrama, and takes several opportunities to repeat new vocabulary. Words such as "penguin," "aquarium," and "field trip," and relevant marine terminology, are viable parts of the story, which will be of interest to students and useful to teachers. Whimsical, watercolor cartoons round out the book. An excellent example of the easy-reader genre.–Phyllis M. Simon, Bay Shore School District, NYCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.