Look!

I Like to Read

by Ted Lewin

Travel across the plains and through the jungle with this illustrated board book!

Look! An elephant eats. Look! Zebras run.

Very simple text is paired with full-page, realistic illustrations by Caldecott Honoree Ted Lewin, whose luminous illustrations of warthogs, rhinos, and more were inspired by photographs taken on a trip across Africa.

This sturdy and stunningly illustrated board book invites the youngest readers to observe wild animals in their natural habitats. On the final pages, the story comes back home and we see a young boy reading, surrounded by toy versions of the animals he's visited in the books pages.

An ode to the natural world and the power of imagination, this is sure to be a favorite for curious kids who love interesting animals.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Nonfiction

22 pages, Board Book

First published January 7, 2013

Reviews

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

AWESOME beginning reader.

[Viviane Elbee]

This is an early reader with a lot of repetition of the word look.
Good for kids who are learning to read who like animals.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with realistic illustrations of safari animals. This would be a book for a student who is very new to reading. The illustrations are very nice.

[Kristi Betts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A variety of jungle animals are introduced through pencil and watercolor illustrations on two page spreads. Each is doing something (eating, drinking, digging, etc.) which is easily identifiable. Using the picture clues, young readers will easily be able to pick this book up and be success in reading the text of this non-fiction book. At the end of the story is a surprise which makes me think of Michael Hall's book My Heart is Like a Zoo. Themes associated with this title include the following: animals (non-fiction), easy reader, science and nature.

This title is recommended for first grade, but can be appropriate for children who are reading at an advanced level. It is leveled at a D based on the Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading Level and focuses on reading standards for Literature and Foundational Skills in the English Language Arts Common Core Standards for kindergarten through second grade.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young readers and animal enthusiasts alike will love Lewin’s beautiful watercolors and straightforward text about of African animals in action (“Look! An elephant eats.” “Look! Hippos splash.” “Look! A warthog digs.”) The author narrates the story through a young boy’s eyes and brings the tale back to his home base as he reads a book to his stuffed animals in the comfort of his own bedroom. A simple and delightful story.

Look! is one in a series of early readers called “I Like to Read” by Holiday House. So please “look” for other titles in this excellent series by noted authors Bruce Degen, Ethan Long, Tedd Arnold, Rebecca & Ed Emberley, among others.

Recommended for preschool thru grade 1.

Reviewed by: Alyson D., Youth Services Librarian, Vernon Area Public Library

[Joella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look! There are a lot of animals that do different things. Look! The giraffes drink. Look! The zebras run. It is like a little mini safari in a picture book. But in the end you realize that all these magnificent animals are really a boy’s stuffed animals. And the boy reads. The boy dreams.

This is a book that has simple text and watercolor illustrations that look like they are illustrations of a real safari photograph. Little readers who like seeing different animals and enjoy small amounts of text will truly appreciate this quietly beautiful book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with light-filled pencil and watercolor illustrations, this book features a boy who encounters all sorts of wild animals, including an elephant, a giraffe, and even a warthog. The animals are all engaged in various activities typical for their species, and the illustrations for each of them cover two pages. In the end, of course, the boy isn't actually on safari seeing the animals in person but is reading about them while palying with his toys and stuffed animals. Another interesting and useful "I Can Read" title for early readers.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Look! An elephant eats. Look! Giraffes drink.” Ted Lewin had created a simple book that explores the wilds of Africa with beautiful watercolor illustrations all told through the imaginative eye of a child. This would make a great book to share alone with a child or in a group setting…even at bedtime! Reviewer 17

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy takes us on an adventure by seeing elephants, giraffes, warthogs, gorillas, and many other African animals typically encountered on a safari. Young readers will enjoy the beautiful watercolor illustrations and simple text and will delight in the ending by realizing that they too could go on this adventure as well!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another early reader that is anything but boring!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look! A lot of animals do a lot of different thinks. Simple text, one verb per animal, ending with a boy playing, reading and dreaming. An "I Like to Read" book. Nice watercolor illustrations.

[Pam Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple text about animals for younger children. Illustrations are interesting and will capture children's attention!

[Sharper1 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only gave it 2 stars because it promotes reading. Otherwise, wholly uninspired.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely pencil and watercolor illustrations. Very simple vocabulary for beginning readers.

[Valerie Steffey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby storytime, text is limited. Can add animal noises to each picture to make it storytime friendly.

[Darcie Caswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for emerging readers.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This "I Like to Read" series of books is great for emergent readers. Written and illustrated by various accomplished author/illustrators, they are a big step up from the average sight word books.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short book with wild animals, both things that make it good for baby storytime.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book brings a young boy's imagination wildly to life. Fabulous nature illustrations.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for my beginning reader.