I Spy

Using simplicity and consistent text patterns, this I Spy series (8 titles) book is an effective tool for teaching early literacy skills. A series of seven two-page spreads walk readers through a house, where one object is identified in the room and then described with an adjective. For instance, in a large photo of a living room with a velvet sofa, “I spy a couch” appears at the top of the left-hand page, printed in a red text box; the bottom of the right page reads, “It is blue,” which is situated in a blue text box. These regular text features support pre- and beginning readers through their reliable repetition. The spotted objects reappear in a picture glossary, and a note to caregivers offers tips for reading along with children.