BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Greenlee is Growing is a book about seasons, as well as seasons of life. The book features brightly colorful, joyful illustrations and a rhyming story about a girl named Greenlee as she grows from childhood to old age. Different stages of life are compared to the various seasons of the year (spring = childhood, summer = adolescence, fall = adulthood, winter = old age). There is a subtle religious undertone in the story, with churches in the background of several illustrations, and mention of God having created the year.
I think this might be a lovely book to read as a grandparent with a child on your lap. I wouldn't likely use it as a read-aloud in my school library though. I think the comparison of the four seasons to different seasons of life would be confusing to or lost on young readers. Additionally, there are only six pages representing childhood (the season most appropriate for and appealing to young readers), but eight pages representing each of the other stages of life. The season of old age actually has 16 lines of poetry, whereas youth only has 10. This may be a nice gift to a high school graduate or a new young mother, but aside from the wonderful art I don't think this book will appeal highly to most children.
Angie Campbell - EL Librarian
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