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Raymond and Roxy
Ready? Set. Raymond!
Raymond likes to do everything fast–from brushing his teeth to going to school to making new friends. In three easy-to-read stories, readers follow Raymond on a typical super-fast day, see him make a new friend, and run a race!
32 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
10 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
20 books95 followersVaunda Micheaux Nelson loves bringing books and children together and feels lucky to have two careers that foster this. The children's librarian and author says, "It was destined from the day I was born. My mother found my name in a novel she was reading."
Vaunda's first book, Always Gramma, was selected by the Children's Book Council as a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. Mayfield Crossing won the Georgia Children's Book in 1995, and Beyond Mayfield received a 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award. Almost to Freedom, her most recent title, received a Coretta Scott King Honor for illustration in 2004. In addition, Vaunda's poetry has been published in Cricket and Cicada magazines.
Vaunda has been a teacher, newspaper reporter, bookseller, school librarian, and twice a member of the Newbery Award Committee. She holds master's degrees from The Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College, Vermont, and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science. Her memberships include the SCBWI, the American Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. The Pennsylvania native is currently the young adult librarian at a public library in New Mexico, where she lives with her husband, Drew, and two cats.
Vaunda's first book, Always Gramma, was selected by the Children's Book Council as a Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. Mayfield Crossing won the Georgia Children's Book in 1995, and Beyond Mayfield received a 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award. Almost to Freedom, her most recent title, received a Coretta Scott King Honor for illustration in 2004. In addition, Vaunda's poetry has been published in Cricket and Cicada magazines.
Vaunda has been a teacher, newspaper reporter, bookseller, school librarian, and twice a member of the Newbery Award Committee. She holds master's degrees from The Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College, Vermont, and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science. Her memberships include the SCBWI, the American Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. The Pennsylvania native is currently the young adult librarian at a public library in New Mexico, where she lives with her husband, Drew, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 8, 2025
Part of Random House’s Step Into Reading series, this level 2 readers is light on text and big on engaging illustrations and relatable events in the life of a young Black boy.
Arranged in 3 chapters, the first focuses on how Raymond does everything fast, the second on making friends with his new neighbor Roxy and in the final chapter, Raymond slows down to keep his new white shoes clean but speeds it up to win a race. There is repetition of key words and phrases but not so much that the story becomes dull. Much of the vocabulary used is either phonetically regular or words that would be part of early sight word instruction/memorization. Realistic and wonderful illustrations enhance the text and provide plenty of visual clues in decoding words that may be unfamiliar.
Representation: Raymond is Black and Roxy may be AAPI; classmates and those in Raymond’s neighborhood have a wide range of skin tones and body shapes.
Excellent early reader choice for emerging readers in PK-grade 2.
Arranged in 3 chapters, the first focuses on how Raymond does everything fast, the second on making friends with his new neighbor Roxy and in the final chapter, Raymond slows down to keep his new white shoes clean but speeds it up to win a race. There is repetition of key words and phrases but not so much that the story becomes dull. Much of the vocabulary used is either phonetically regular or words that would be part of early sight word instruction/memorization. Realistic and wonderful illustrations enhance the text and provide plenty of visual clues in decoding words that may be unfamiliar.
Representation: Raymond is Black and Roxy may be AAPI; classmates and those in Raymond’s neighborhood have a wide range of skin tones and body shapes.
Excellent early reader choice for emerging readers in PK-grade 2.
July 30, 2020
Lovely reader!
I love seeing this Black boy joy, especially in a level reader! Raymond is much needed in children's books today.
I love seeing this Black boy joy, especially in a level reader! Raymond is much needed in children's books today.
December 16, 2017
Raymond does everything super fast from brushing his teeth to doing his schoolwork, much to the frustration of the adults in his life. They say to him, "Slow down, Raymond" and he slows down a bit, "but not for long". Finally Raymond learns that there is a time and place for being fast. Repetitive sentence construction and plenty of illustrations help early readers. I love how positive and full of energy Raymond is. He (almost) always has a smile on his face. It's also refreshing to find an easy reader with a main character who is a person of color - not always an easy task. Nevertheless, kids of all different races and backgrounds will relate to Raymond and struggle to find the right time to go fast and the right time to go slow.
February 29, 2024
How delightful to meet fast-moving Raymond through this three-chapter book for early readers!
I can identify with Raymond's preference to get a whole lot done every day. The race at the end is only one instance of his way of doing all he can, getting the most out of time and also out of life.
Delightful illustrations by Derek Anderson are sooooooo expressive. Raymond's zest for living is contagious.
FIVE STARS of gratitude. Here's one child who doesn't just sit in front of his computer, playing virtual games, when he could be springing into life!
I can identify with Raymond's preference to get a whole lot done every day. The race at the end is only one instance of his way of doing all he can, getting the most out of time and also out of life.
Delightful illustrations by Derek Anderson are sooooooo expressive. Raymond's zest for living is contagious.
FIVE STARS of gratitude. Here's one child who doesn't just sit in front of his computer, playing virtual games, when he could be springing into life!
August 26, 2020
I like this story
I learned new vocabulary and preposition. Example: in the house, in the yard, at the park, sneakers, shouts, brand, and race.
I learned new vocabulary and preposition. Example: in the house, in the yard, at the park, sneakers, shouts, brand, and race.
September 10, 2022
Nice story
Nice story to read too to the little one before before. This book is perfect for beginner independent readers . enjoyed very much
Nice story to read too to the little one before before. This book is perfect for beginner independent readers . enjoyed very much
June 9, 2023
just okay
I think it isn’t challenging for little kids and will decrease their learning ability. But the the whole scenario is okay I guess.
I think it isn’t challenging for little kids and will decrease their learning ability. But the the whole scenario is okay I guess.
September 9, 2024
36 pages not 32
January 26, 2015
This is a level 2 book and would be okay for beginner or more mature level 2 readers; either could enjoy this book. It's a short chapter book (almost a 1st chapter book) type. Raymond is the main character and this little boy likes to do things 'fast' (word that is repeated many times in the book. Even though everyone tells him to slow down he likes to go fast (race, slow down, fast are repetitive words in this book) In the second 'chapter' a new family move in and he wants a new friend but his momma tells him it takes times to make friends but he goes over and scares the little girl but later he takes her a treat and reintroduce himself and they become friends. The last chapter he is in a running race, and he gets new shoes they are so white and pretty he doesn't want to get them dirty. But he wins the race.
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January 7, 2015,I love. My mom to be a good girl and her husband is funny dad. I love my. family
I know that. he was in bad news for the first time in. The race and it was just a wontderful day of work with the best possible freelance programming languages and cultures that have been made it back to work with the clubhouse and emerald isle of man is Emily blunt and emerald city council members are not going anywhere else you want me too but I'm not going anywhere in Yangon to get a chance of rain and wind power to be a good time with. My friend Anna and Elsa and emerald and Ariel and monochrome and the best part about it is Emily and emerald to be a good girl and. My mom said she was like a good mommy
I know that. he was in bad news for the first time in. The race and it was just a wontderful day of work with the best possible freelance programming languages and cultures that have been made it back to work with the clubhouse and emerald isle of man is Emily blunt and emerald city council members are not going anywhere else you want me too but I'm not going anywhere in Yangon to get a chance of rain and wind power to be a good time with. My friend Anna and Elsa and emerald and Ariel and monochrome and the best part about it is Emily and emerald to be a good girl and. My mom said she was like a good mommy
February 6, 2011
ready set raymond
large text it is a reading with help rating and step 2 is its classification
I liked the ethnicity in the book with characters of color and with very active lifestyle as they are runners and he is a track star:)
large text it is a reading with help rating and step 2 is its classification
I liked the ethnicity in the book with characters of color and with very active lifestyle as they are runners and he is a track star:)
January 3, 2013
Oh gee whiz, lookie here. It's a book about a black boy athlete. Because goodness knows the only thing little black boys can do is be athletes. This book gets an extra star for having three stories, TWO of which are not about Raymond playing sports.
January 8, 2013
Read at preschooler story time at the library. Was a bit long. Not especially memorable.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews