Let your child have a say in how the story goes with this Choose Your Own Adventure book. As the first page explains, simply "Read until you reach a choice. Turn the page of the choice you like best. If you don't like the end you reach, just start over!" Each set of pages includes large, vibrantly colored ink and watercolor pictures and up to a half page of large printed words. This book makes the reader the star by using the less-common second person narrative, speaking directly to the reader with "you" statements. For example, Indian Trail begins, "You are standing outside your Pueblo Village..."


No matter which choice you follow, each adventure within the book requires readers to make at least two choices of which path to follow, and which page to turn to and read what happens next. This provides your child with more independence than they usually have when reading a story, or having it read to them. It also provides practice in decision-making and teaches that every decision has a consequence. With each different ending, a new lesson is taught, ranging from respecting all living creatures to being brave and saving the day. Choosing their own adventure also provides children with practice following directions; the bottom of each page directs them to either the next page, or a specific page number.  Your child may enjoy learning some new Native American words, like 'kachina', 'pueblo', 'kiva', and 'Apache'. They may also have some questions for you about the Native American way of life.


My niece Emily recently turned five and is soaking up books like water. She is just learning to sound out some words on her own, but loves to follow along while others read to her. She would happily read with someone all day long! This book is great for us both, since we get a new ending each time we read it. Emily enjoyed learning the new Native American words in Indian Trail and said she plans to go on her own adventure searching for kachinas (Indian spirits) in the trees behind her house.

 

--Audra