City Fun

by Margaret Hillert, Barbara Corey (Illustrator)

As two girls explore the city, they watch buildings being torn down and built, ride the subway, visit the park, watch a parade, play games, and visit the library.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

31 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Margaret Hillert has written over 80 books for children who are just learning to read. Her books have been translated into many languages and have helped children throughout the world learn to read. She first started writing poetry as a child and has continued to write for children and adults throughout her life. As a first grade teacher, Margaret realized that the books available for students just learning to read were beyond their comprehension. She then began to write her easy readers and poetry for children. Her first collection of poetry Farther Than Far was published in 1969. Her many awards include the Chicago Children's Reading Round Table Annual Award for outstanding contributions to the field of children's literature. Other honors include the David W. Longe Prize and the Michigan Bookwoman of the Year Award. A teacher for 34 years, she is now retired and lives in Michigan where she continues to write stories and poetry.

Reviews

[Laura]

Normally I would find it odd that a picture book would need to have new illustrations. Classics such as Make Way for Ducklings, Millions of Cats and Blueberries for Sal would not be the same without their beloved illustrations that fit so well with the story.

However, some books could use with an updated look that better reflects the world today, when it is talking about the world today, as City Fun is. The original was written and illustrated in the 1950s, which for most early readers is not just a life time away, it is when Gramma was a girl, as far removed as Little House on the Prairie is for most of us.

The illustrations are bright, colorful, and show diversity with the people in the story. The new illustrations depict a typical large city, with construction, and parades, and fire hydrants being opened in the Summer.

What is also nice is that though this is one of those books that has a limited number of words, the illustrations tell more stories, and I think children will love pointing to things, and talking about the story behind the words, as they learn to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[☼Pam Might Read Too Much ☼]

~ from the Library [ 1-599-53813-X ]

CITY FUN is at the late Kindergarten Reading Level. There are 58 vocabulary words and 293 Totals.

The book is about things children can see and do in a big city. In this case, two girls play hopscotch and skate, look at buildings going up, up, up, and buildings being torn down. They eat food, see art and parks, and even go to the library.

This book might be useful to show children what they might expect to see in a big city. I know in our area, although fairly well populated, kids are never going to see a fireman turn on a fire hydrant during the summer.

The artwork in this book is different than many other Hillert books. Although the characters are fully drawn, much of the background on many pages is done in a pastel, abstract style.

Overall, nicely done.

[Rose Rosetree]

Playing outside, a pair of friends have fun playing ordinary city games. As a city child, I played most of these games myself.

The only thing I didn't get to do was to climb a big lush tree, like the girls in this story. In the large apartment complex in Flushing, Queens, where I grew up.... There were only two trees, both were quite spindly, but survivors.

On one occasion I attempted to climb one of those trees. At the time, maybe I was 12. One of the mothers who sat on the two benches there, Gladys... Gladys ran right up to me. She told me, with intense feeling:

"Never do that again. Please. Other children might copy you and try to climb those trees.

Trust me, the trees couldn't take it. Do you want to be responsible for killing a tree?"

To date, that was the last time I've attempted to climb a tree.

NOW, BACK TO THE STORY

I'm glad those girls had a stout tree to climb, plus a horse who was striding through the neighborhood. Quite some city they lived in!

Such a cheery story, so life affirming. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, this Beginning-to-Read book uses just 59 words. And there's special phonological emphasis on the /w/.

Sometimes a kid just needs that, you know?

FIVE STARS once again to Margaret Hillert.

[Rachael Fricke]

Cute little book about all the things these girls like to do in the city. Pictures illustrate the activities they enjoy. This book features lots of word repetition and is long enough to keep a second or third grade reader entertained. Great for independent young readers. Beautiful illustrations featured throughout the book. I would recommend this book for a home or classroom library for young independent readers.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Carla]

The Learning to Read series is made up of several books that are easy readers. They use site vocabulary that is printed in the back of the book. It reminds me of the books I learned to read with. These Beginning-to-Read books capture the imaginations of beginning readers and help them on their way to independent reading. They could also be read aloud to young children who are not able to read yet. A great addition to a family library or a primary classroom. At the back of the book there are suggestions for parents, care-givers or teachers to reinforce reading.

In this book, two friends have a day in the city. They go to the park, the library, ride a bus, watch some construction and other things friends do to have fun. The illustrations are large, bright and colourful. They are sure to attract and hold the attention of children as well as provide clues to what they are trying to read. These books would be a great addition to a home and class library for young children who are learning to read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Norwood House Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Nicole]

City Fun by Margaret Hillert is a book with bright illustrations that are colorful, and show diversity. In this book, two friends have a day in the city. Some of the activities are they go to the park, the library, ride a bus, and watch some construction. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The story has limited words, the illustrations in itself tell a story. I believe that children will enjoy pointing to objects in the picture, and talking about the story beyond the word as they learn to read. These books would be a great addition to a home and class library for young children who are learning to read.

The Learning to Read series is easy to read. The series uses site vocabulary that is printed in the back of the book. The book captures the imaginations of beginning readers and help them on their way to independent reading. The books can be read aloud to young children or the children can read the books themselves.

I received this book from Norwood House Press via Netgalley in exchange on an honest review.

[Donna Maguire]

This book is centred on two friends explore a city by watching construction, riding the subway, going to a park, seeing a parade and visiting the library. The illustrations are nice but I wasn't that much of a fan of the book overall. There are some good resources at the back for parents to use when helping children with their language skills and when learning to read.

[Dara]

I like the part where they play in the water from the fire hydrant.

[Tara]

A great basic beginning reader, with lots of good words and repetition. What makes it really good are the African American characters, which is a rare find in picture books.