What Is It?

by Margaret Hillert, Kinuko Y. Craft (Illustrator)

Reading Levels vary with each set, but range from 1.0-1.3. Give your primary students more varied book choices in a wider range of reading levels to meet both their interests and abilities successfully-and watch their skills soar! The complete collection features 96 books, many written by well-known author, poet, and former teacher, Margaret Hill. The series is organized into four sub-collections by student interest and reading level. Each sub-collection is accompanied by a helpful Teacher's Guide.

Genres: Childrens

31 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Margaret Hillert has written over 80 books for children who are just learning to read. Her books have been translated into many languages and have helped children throughout the world learn to read. She first started writing poetry as a child and has continued to write for children and adults throughout her life. As a first grade teacher, Margaret realized that the books available for students just learning to read were beyond their comprehension. She then began to write her easy readers and poetry for children. Her first collection of poetry Farther Than Far was published in 1969. Her many awards include the Chicago Children's Reading Round Table Annual Award for outstanding contributions to the field of children's literature. Other honors include the David W. Longe Prize and the Michigan Bookwoman of the Year Award. A teacher for 34 years, she is now retired and lives in Michigan where she continues to write stories and poetry.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This updated "Beginning to Read" series title by Margaret Hillert is rendered in rhyming text and shows two children and their dog following a long red string. Where will it lead? That is the surprise. Youngsters will be drawn in by the bright illustrations that provide visual clues to the text. The simple rhymes and repetitive vocabulary are intended for beginners. Appended reading reinforcement activities that are a mainstay of Hillert titles serve to help parents, teachers or caregivers enrich the reading experience. The title is suited to budding readers eager to practice their skills and fluency and gain confidence. It is also a nice introduction to the mystery genre for the very young.

[Brandi Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a child and have fond memories of it. I was thinking about recently but couldn't remember the title. All I remember is it’s about a red string or yarn that two kids follow through an unusual world. It took a lot of searching and it was not even in the Goodreads library... but I found it. Now I'm going to rent it from the library and re-live the past.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming beginning reader illustrated with the magical art of Kinuko Craft.

[Todd Stansbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is too simple, and not that good. My daughter seems to like it but not as much as other books she's brought home from the library.

[T.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sight word book.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good 'beginning to read' book.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're familiar with Craft's lavish and lovely illustrations, yoo may be disappointed by these simple earlier ones.

And the text is a poem which is, um, well it rhymes, and meter is ok, I guess.

It's slightly odd that nothing in the written half of the story suggests that the protagonists are, as the cover indicates, little elves or whatever, and not regular kids.