Kat's Maps: Ready-to-Read Level 1

Jon Scieszka's Trucktown

by Jon Scieszka, David Shannon (Illustrator), Loren Long (Illustrator)

Kat loves maps! She loves to make maps for everything. Her room, her block, her town, even her heart. When she gives Jack a map it leads to a surprise! After taking twists and turns through Trucktown and going over bridges and under tunnels, Jack finds out what it is. An art show of all of Kat's maps!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Trucks, Maps

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2011

About the author

Jon Scieszka is an American children's writer, best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and the founder of Guys Read – a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers."

Reviews

[Malia Gaddis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Kat's Maps is about a tractor that loves maps. She follows the map to go through her town, over bridges and through tunnels.

Evaluation: The book is an easy read for young students learning about maps and even transportation vehicles. "Kat's Maps" has great illustrations that will hook the readers. This book is a good book for beginning readers and there are more books included in the series.

Teaching: I would use this book in a kindergarten classroom. The book shows examples of vehicles traveling down roads and different maps from a top view with arrows to show directions. This could also be used to help students understand the difference between left and right. After reading the book aloud, we would view objects and state if they are to the right or left and then we would take a tour of the school. When the students have mastered the skill, I would create a map for the students to find a given prize at recess.

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations, but not enough happens to keep my kid's attention.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe they didn't read Sara Fanelli's My Map Book before they put this together, or maybe they did. But her book is gorgeous, and just better. This adapts her idea (is it? have there been a million kid map books?) to their Truck Town series or just takes it from her. Is it the same thing as comically rethinking the story of the three little pigs. Nope. But maybe I am just being picky. It's a pretty good book because of the concept.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up because it is about maps, and I want more books that feature maps. Then, I realized the characters were transportation vehicles. Finally, I learned that Scieskza collaborated with some famous illustrator friends to create a series, and this is one book in the series. Now, I'm really excited to get more of these books. I will be making some early reading students very happy with these books on our library shelve.

[Judy Desetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. A ready to read book. Concept: maps

I think kids will like this one. Kat (a tractor) makes a variety of maps. Mind maps, room maps, map of her heart, etc.

[Karen]

I'm not sure how to rate this--the number of words per page ranges from 3 to 5 on average. Unsure of the appeal. Very colorful.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a tractor who loves maps -- absolutely perfect for my 3 year old son. Easy to read if you've got a beginning reader.

[Christy Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

So sweet. Good for beginning readers. I loved that she made a map of her heart and her brain.

[Kate Hastings]

rl 180

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this with Carson. The repetition helps her recognize small words.

[Julie Dillemuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read that celebrates a love of maps; also a Ready-to-Read Level 1. Likely to become a well-worn favorite of kids who love trucks and maps.

[Evan · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's just maps. So I didn't really like it.