Mazeways A to Z

Mazeways is a wonderfully engaging book that should appeal to young children ages 5-7 years old learning to read. The author/artist delivers 26 delightful paintings which are irresistible to young fingers wanting to navigate mazes themed according to letters of the alphabet. Each picture has a short paragraph to introduce the maze and invite the adventurous reader to wander the well-drawn paths. Following each paragraph is a short list of items that are located on each picture--similar to the _I_Spy_ books. This book works on many levels. As a picture book the art is engaging in the same way that the pictures in a Richard Scarry book are engaging. There is more to the story than the words on the page and a young child will find many possibilities. Beginning readers will delight in reading the directions to complete the maze or find the "hidden" items, while parents and teachers will smile at the new vocabulary words presented on each page. The text may present the occasional challenge to beginning readers and mom or dad will be asked to read some sections. When the young reader wants a break from reading they can let their fingers wander on the many paths presented or make up a story about taking a path not mentioned in the text. Advanced readers who scribble notes in page margins, circle memorable passages, or edit/rewrite paragraphs understand what it means to be engaged in a dialogue with the author through the experience of reading. Similarly, Mazeways: A to Z engages the young reader in a playful learning experience with the author. Parents who are fortunate enough to be asked to read the more challenging paragraphs will enjoy the opportunity to participate in the dialogue. Children will probably not recognize the learning aspect, this is a fun book that doesn't have the stale aftertaste of "it's good for you, it's educational." Accompanying the picture for the letter "T" is the challenge to find, along with several other items: picnic tables, movie theater, dump truck, town swimming pool, and tractor. And just in case you cannot find the ninth cow hidden somewhere in a field, puzzle answers are given in the back of the book. Our favorite letter? Oh there are so many excellent letters, but perhaps it would be "M". "Gear up for a hike! From the road on the left, climb the mountain peaks, using bridges and rowboats if necessary, and then wind your way down the other side of the far peak." Gear up for adventure, curl up with this delightful book.