EMMA'S FRIENDWICH

Murphy’s promising (if utilitarian) new series, I See I Learn, uses the concept of visual learning to help reinforce social, emotional, cognitive and health and safety skills. This title, which focuses on Emma’ efforts to make friends in her new neighborhood and gives young children some concrete ways to reach out to others, is the standout of the inaugural four. In Good Job, Ajay! (ISBN: 978-1-58089-454-8; PBK: 978-1-58089-455-5), readers build their confidence alongside Ajay, who is working on learning how to throw a ball better. His friends help him by recalling other times when he was successful at difficult tasks. Freda Plans a Picnic (ISBN: 978-1-58089-456-2; PBK: 978-1-58089-457-9) teaches youngsters the skill of sequencing. The weakest of the four, Percy Plays it Safe (ISBN: 978-1-58089-452-4; PBK: 978-1-58089-453-1), shows readers what happens when Percy plays unsafely on the playground. His friends’ responses to his injury are not particularly friendly, and his sudden turnaround in behavior is abrupt. Key words are bolded within the text, while the concepts are illustrated using insets and diagrams. Jones’s bright illustrations feature a cast of anthropomorphized cartoon animals. Backmatter includes a list of follow-up questions and activities. (Picture book. 3-5)