This Kid Citizen reader encourages beginning readers to be helpful to others in the world around them.
Being helpful shows how much you care. How are you helpful? I Can Help, a 16-page reader from the Kid Citizen series for prekindergarten to grade 2, encourages beginning readers to be helpful to others in the world around them. It includes a photo glossary and a reading comprehension activity.
Kid Citizen readers support the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards. Beginning readers are provided with appropriate leveled text as they build knowledge of what it means to participate in families, classrooms, schools, neighborhoods, and other communities. Children will learn to value themselves and others, to develop positive character traits, and to make choices that uphold civility and respect.
PreS-Gr 2–Emerging readers are introduced to new vocabulary and learn how to be a good citizen. Each title begins with a photo glossary and a list of high-frequency words. Double-page photos are accompanied by a single sentence, which features one of the words from the glossary and an arrow pointing to its depiction on the page. For example, I Can Help includes a photo of a white girl with blonde hair pushing a book cart in a library. The text states, “I can help with the books,” and the word books appears again with an arrow directed to the books in the photo. Activities that involve finding a reading partner, drawing a picture, or brainstorming with the class are included. This series features BIPOC children and adults who are engaged in familiar activities and settings. VERDICT Captivating photos, repetitive language, and class activities make this a good introductory series. The focus on diversity and kindness kicks it up a notch.