ON THE TOWN

A class assignment sends Charlie and his mother on an exploration of the neighborhood in Caseley’s (Bully, 2001, etc.) curriculum-oriented offering. “Visit the people and places in your community,” says Charlie’s teacher. “Take your notebook and explore.” Full-color illustrations (rendered in watercolor, colored pencils, and black pen) show Charlie and his mother after school as the boy makes the first entry in his notebook. “ ‘Teacher!’ said Charlie. ‘Should I write her name down?’ ‘Absolutely,’ said Mama. ‘Your teacher is a big part of your community.’ ” With each step along the way (the park, post office, and fire station, for example). Charlie adds an entry while his mother provides encouragement. (“ ‘Barber shop!’ said Charlie. ‘So smart,’ said Mama.’ ”) Framed vignettes depict the places; spot art shows what Charlie has written and drawn in his book. The formula continues to the very end. “ ‘Home!’ said Charlie [tucked in bed]. ‘I forgot about home.’ ” The final illustration shows all the entries in Charlie’s notebook. A natural choice for a unit on community as well as sparking a child’s own exploration. (Picture book. 5-8)