From Kalamazoo to Timbuktu!
Grade 1-3–One day Millie and Mike don't know what to do so they imagine a voyage from their home in Kalamazoo to Timbuktu. On the way, they canoe, ride on a bicycle built for two, take a helicopter, and even perch on the tail of a whale. A creative and appealing concept, this fast-paced read-aloud takes the two children to many different places where they see many wonderful things. The brightly colored illustrations are filled with details that children will want to examine up close. The book, however, is a little problematic. The rhyming is often forced and without segues, which makes for a bumpy read-aloud, and the art often incorporates sharp details next to soft, fuzzy edges. This blend of realism and cartoon images adds to the uneven experience.–Genevieve Gallagher, Murray Elementary School, Charlottesville, VACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.