Editorial Review
SLJ Review of Patrones en la naturaleza (Patterns in Nature)
Patterns and textures take the spotlight in this Spanish series about where to find patterns in all kinds of natural environments, including forests, deserts, gardens, and beaches. Readers as young as three will benefit from full-page color, high-definition close-ups of butterflies, raccoons, ladybugs, honeycomb, and sunflowers, and the visual patterns that exist in each.
Caregivers will want to trace and point out dots, stripes, and other visual elements, prompted by short captions on some of the pages that identify patterns using words. Spreads that have no text will inspire on-the-fly dialogic reading between caregiver and child.
VERDICT: This Spanish series can be easily adapted to different audiences and the emphasis on repetition will help readers develop early literacy and vital visual literacy skills.