Peter's+Chair

Book Review By: Dianna Bresh
 * Peter's Chair **


 * Author: Ezra Jack Keats
 * Age Range: 3 - 7 years
 * Grade Level: Preschool - 2
 * Series: Picture Puffins
 * Paperback: 40 pages
 * Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (August 1, 1998)
 * Language: English
 * ISBN-10: 0140564411
 * ISBN-13: 978-0140564419


 * __Summary__**: Peter's family is painting his old furniture pink for his new baby sister. He does not understand why his items have to be painted for her. Furiously, he takes his dog Willie and runs away to his front yard. He brings his old blue chair with him so his parents would not paint that as well. When he tries to sit in the chair he realizes that he no longer fits in the chair. He goes back inside where he decides to do something nice for his new sister. He helps his dad paint the chair pink, realizing that she can use it more than he can.


 * __Review:__** Sibling rivalry and sharing is a topic that affects almost all children at a young age. Peter does not what to share his items with his sister. Once he understands that she can fit in his old furniture items better than he can he begins to share. This is a Jumpstart story in the family unit which I read to the students in preschool every year. They understand the roller coaster of Peter's emotions throughout the whole story. When Peter decides to paint the furniture pink the children in my class want to paint the furniture pink as well. This is not just because they enjoy painting. It is that they want to share what they can no longer use. At a young age, many of the items children use are outgrown and handed down to other people. Peter's chair demonstrates in a pleasurable way that it is good to pass things on.


 * __Author Biography:__** Ezra Jack Keats was born in 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. He began writing children's books in the 1960's. Known for introducing multiculturalism, he is one of the first authors to use an African American as the main character in his books. Peter is the character in several of his books such as //Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy//, and the Caldecott Medal winning book //The Snowy Day//. After he became famous, he made it his goal to visit schools and make a difference in the lives of children. In 1986, he died from a heart attack. Throughout his life time he had illustrated over 85 books, and written and illustrated 22 children’s books. His work is still read by children today.


 * __Analysis of Literacy Elements__**: The topic of sharing with your family is greatly explained through the texts and illustrations throughout the book. The illustration of Peter's chair being too small for his bottom while sitting made it clear that he cannot fit in the chair. The final page ends with a picture of him painting the chair with his father, both of them smiling and working together. The theme is nicely demonstrated throughout the pictures that accompany the story. Family unity can be noticed in the way the dad looks at Peter on the last page of the book while painting the chair. Strong vocabulary such as rascal, stretched, crocodile and cradle are used in the story. Each word has a picture that corresponds to explain the meaning.