Up (I Like to Read) by Joe Cepeda

I Like to Read

by Joe Cepeda

Pura Belpre honor recipient, Joe Cepeda, brings magical realism for the beginning reader!Two brothers are asleep in their bed when a pinwheel flies through the window and into the hand of the younger boy. He stands in front of the window, and soon he s flying through the sky where he sees a chicken, a sheep, a cow and a pig. The wind carries the animals back to their farm and the boy back to his home, where he passes the pinwheel along to his brother.The very newest readers will enjoy the fun fantasy and energetic artwork as they read this satisfying story with twelve simple words."

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fantasy, Adventure

Paperback

About the author

Joe Cepeda grew up in East Los Angeles, California. At first, he studied to be an engineer. He went back to college later to study art. He has done illustrations for magazines as well as for children's books. Joe Cepeda thinks that children who want to be artists or illustrators should read a lot and study math.

Joe Cepeda is the illustrator of many awarding-winning picture books including Peeny Butter Fudge by Toni Morrison and Slade Morrison, What a Truly Cool World by Julius Lester, a Family Life Magazine Top 10 Best Books of the Year, a Family Fun Critic's Choice, and BCCB Blue Ribbon Book, Mice and Beans by Pam MuÑoz Ryan, and Gracias the Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley which was an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists. Mr Cepeda received his BFA in illustration from California State University, Long Beach. Mr. Cepeda received the Recognition of Merit Award for 2000 from The George G. Stone Center for Children's Books. His illustrations have appeared in publications such as The Los Angeles Times; Buzz, Inc. Magazine; and Latina Magazine.

Reviews

[Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for very beginner readers. 3 words per sentence on each page.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would think that twelve simple words could create such a wonderful story? UP captures your imagination through the the gorgeous illustrations and simple text as a young boy is taken to the sky by a magic pinwheel. It is such a delightful and wondrous adventure in the sky, that is sure to entertain children and kids alike.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this one kind of weird. The text is simple (B level), which is great but it's a little confusing about what exactly is happening. Like, why is he, and all the farm animals, being blown around by the wind. And why are their farm animals? I thought maybe the end would pay off by showing a farm but nope, he just goes home. I do still love the illustrations though.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I checked this book out just for the illustrations (the words are easy as it's an "I like to read" book to help kids read). They were pretty neat. I think the book could have been wordless and it would have been even better.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple, fantastical easy reader. Berry enjoyed the farm animals. :)

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and entertaining, with great illustrations.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

F&P Level C. Short, simple story about a boy who flies away on a pinwheel and sees different farm animals. Could be a good small group book. Maybe connect to weather unit in science.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy readers with very simple text are so much more entertaining to read when the illustrations are this good. Another hit from Holiday House.

[Chris Hays · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to have in a kindergarten class, but not so much for reading to the class. The art is much more engaging than basic readers, yet the text is at the level of a Biscuit book.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A windy day and a pinwheel make for a magical adventure. When a pinwheel blows in the window, a young boy tests it out in front of a strong gust only to find himself soaring through the sky and meeting farm animals who have been temporarily suspended in the air. The wind dies down a little bringing the boy back home so he can hand the pinwheel off to his brother for more fun to be had.

Text is great for beginning readers as the sentences are short and stick to a repetitive structure. New vocabulary is supported by vibrant digital artwork.

I really like the purple highlights used in the artwork and the sketched look of the artwork. Highly recommended for PreK-3.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It only takes a pinwheel and some mighty wind to bring excitement into the life of two brothers. After the first one holds onto a pinwheel that flies into their bedroom and goes on an adventure through the sky where he observes other animals, inlcuding a chicken, a sheep, a cow, and a pig flying through the air as well, he returns home and passes the pinwheel on to his brother so he can have his own flying adventure. The digital illustrations will have young readers that they can, indeed, fly. I'd share this with many youngsters but not those whose community has recently experienced a tornado or a hurricane since the wind's currents would not be remembered so kindly by those folks. The repetitive text makes this book fun to read aloud while the images contain enough details to hold readers' interest during repeated readings.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy and his big brother are awakened by a brisk breeze as it entered their room. The youngest held up his pinwheel and watched it spin faster and faster. He was then whisked away up, up into the sky. He saw various animals from the farm join him up in the sky too. It wasn’t long before the breeze took him home. He handed the pinwheel to his older brother. What do you think would happen next?

Author Joe Cepeda has created a delightful story that allows the readers imagination to soar. Colorful illustrations that are swirly and truly present the wind, bringing the story to life. The sentences are simple word bursts making this a great beginner book for young readers.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a wild and windy and wonderful day. A young boy takes a pinwheel and soon is flying over the meadows, where he encounters various farm animals up in the air as well. When they go home so does he, where his brother eagerly awaits a chance at the pinwheel. This is an imaginative flight of fancy. with a very limited and repetitive text--perfect for beginning readers.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the back of the book it says, "Joe Cepeda likes to read and make good books." And that's exactly what this is, a good book, a solid easy reader, with a fun concept, and imaginative illustrations.

It's not too long or too hard or too anything. It is a GOOD book. Thank you, Joe Cepeda.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young boy goes on a fantastical adventure.

[Bill]

Love the illustrations. Not so much the text/narrative.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this early reader by the “I Like to Read” series, a little boy and his pinwheel go up with the wind and meet different animals. The digital illustrations are also fun to explore to open the discussion of how digital illustrations can look different than the traditional cartoon look. The simple text makes it accessible to almost all readers, yet the physical size of the book will make them feel as though they are reading a “real” book. Perfect for libraries looking for low-level text for their beginning readers.
Reading Level: PS-2
Highly Recommended

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very excited to use this for a 2 y/o storytime!