Red Sled

Patricia Thomas (2008), 32 pages

Illustrated by Chris L. Demarest

Audience: toddlers

Format: picture book

“Red sled. Sad lad. Sad dad. Fat hat. Knit mitt.“… So begins the story of a family going sledding. Short staccato sentences form the basis of this book allowing children and parent an opportunity to sound out syllables and gain phonemic-awareness. The author used “rhyming pairs –one single, two doubles, and three triples pivoting on one single rhymed word pair before descending in reserve order” (Thomas, 2008). Take a cue from this book and build your own poetry ... choose a favorite activity (swimming) or subject (baseball) and create your own storyline using two worded rhymes. For example, commemorating a day at the ballpark might include ... May day. Glad lad. Glad dad. Fat bat. Hit mitt. Won done. Or perhaps, a summer's day of swimming might produce, the following ...Cool pool. Calm mom. Daughter water. Sun fun.

These activities will help children learn new words, rhymes, practice sounding out syllables, and explore seasons. Red Sled is a celebration of winter days, so double up on your winter fun and read Winter is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer to further engage in a lively discussion of seasons.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: A Winter Day by Douglas Florian or Snow Day! by Barbara Joosse

Other books by this author: “Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” and “There are Rocks in My Socks!” Said the Ox to the Fox