cover image El Microscopio de Nicolas

El Microscopio de Nicolas

Alberto Pez. Grupo Editorial Norma, $11 (0pp) ISBN 978-958-04-5644-5

Gr 1-3-Poor Nicol s is terrified of certain monsters that his friend Pepe tells him live everywhere in the sink, the toilet, under the bed, in the closet. He knows it must be true because Pepe would not lie; furthermore he saw it on the television. Nicol s can't sleep, and his midnight shouting that monsters are near keeps his family and the neighbors awake. The solution arrives in the form of Uncle Coco, a biotechnician who shows up with a microscope and shows Nicol s just where he can find the monsters he's been frightened of, and that they can be trapped under the slides of the microscope. Thus, from a terrified child emerges one with an active interest in the microscope, and who lets everyone sleep. Told in active, clear language, this story reads aloud well. The kinetic cartoon illustrations match the vivacious text, but the book is far too small and stiffly bound for group sharing. The page layout, with about equal space given to print and picture, has a nonthreatening look that will appeal to beginning readers. As the subject matter lends itself to tie-ins with primary grade science units, especially those using microscopes, this quick, potentially interest-piquing choice for younger science buffs is recommended for classroom and home reading. Ann Welton, Grant Center for the Expressive Arts, Tacoma, WA