ZACH THE ZANY ZEBRA

Review Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite

Do you ever feel zany and want to escape? Perhaps you zigzag all over your home and your yard. All this zigzagging and zaniness might make you feel dizzy. I know it would make me feel dizzy. Zach is a zebra who, once wild, now lives in a zoo. He wants to escape; he wants his freedom. His zoo friends, Zinzerzizzle the zebu, and Zoey the zorilla, have no desire to escape with him. In fact, they suggest he looks at some of the positive things about living in the zoo. Zach isn’t convinced, but he tries, and what he discovers makes him “zoom around the zoo again zigzagging this way and that. This time zigzagging didn’t make Zach dizzy, it made him zappy and zippy.”

Don’t you just love alliteration? I know I do. Sally Lee Baker’s picture book story, Zach the Zany Zebra: A fun read-aloud illustrated tongue twisting tale brought to you by the letter Z (Alphabetical Alliterative Stories), is full of fun ‘z’ words. The author uses both words that begin with the letter ‘z’ and words that contain the letter ‘z’ in the word itself. Each time ‘z’ is used, it’s written in bold so young readers enjoying this tongue-twisting z-word story will start to recognize the last letter of the alphabet. The story cleverly follows a simple plot, with simple language, making it ‘eazy’ for young readers to follow along and learn some of the z-words. As an interactive, fun exercise, the author has also placed the letter ‘z’ in each picture so the young reader can try to find it. I loved the illustrations! This is a great learning story, with lots of fun,' exzitement' and 'exzilleration.' Enjoy the z’s.

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YUKON'S YODELING YAKS

Review Rating 5 Stars

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite

Did you know that yaks can yodel? Can you yodel? Have you thought of visiting Yukon to test your yodeling skills? Yukon’s yaks originated in Yunnan, far across the Pacific Ocean. They were useless yaks in the field because, once yoked, they yodeled. So they were traded and shipped to Yukon where their fur was a novelty harvested for its fine-textured yarn, especially the yellow undercoat that “was valued as much as Yukon gold.” Their milk was made into yak yogurt – oh yummy! But, most tourists came to listen and learn about the yaks' wonderful yodeling skills.

Sally Lee Baker’s picture book story, Yukon's Yodeling Yaks: A fun read-aloud illustrated tongue-twisting tale brought to you by the letter Y, is book 25 in her series of alliterative stories, this one focusing on the multiple sounds of the letter ‘y.’ Young readers will have fun with some of the tongue twisters the letter ’y’ creates, from “yodeling yaks” to “yummy yak yogurt” and so much more. This series is a fun way to encourage phonetics in young readers so they can easily recognize the multiple sounds of each letter of the alphabet, in this case, the letter ‘y.’ But this is more than a mere play on words and a series of tongue twisters; there’s also a yak-inspired story to enjoy, one set in Yukon, in northern Canada. Not only will readers enjoy the ‘y’s’, but also the story, and they will learn a little about Yukon. Beautifully illustrated and a fun story for the whole family.

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XIOMARA THE XIPHODON

Review Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed By Lois J Wickstrom for Readers’ Favorite

Sally Lee Baker is up to the letter X in her series of alphabet stories. Xiomara the Xiphodon, written and illustrated by Sally Lee Baker, is filled with words that either start with or include the letter X. I even learned a new word. Xenodochy is another word for gathering or party. And it’s the perfect word for an experimental party designed to attract xiphodons, who are supposed to be extinct. I even learned about a type of flower I’ve never seen: Xyris, a three-petalled yellow flower that grows all over the world. Now that I know how to recognize them, I’ll be looking for them. I might find a xyris, but I doubt I’ll find a xiphodon. They really are extinct.

Do you know a child (or an adult) who loves alphabet books? Are they tired of xylophones and x-rays and x-ing x’s? If so, Xiomara the Xiphodon by Sally Lee Baker is sure to appeal. Experts think xiphodons, which are a camel-like mammal, are extinct but that doesn’t stop the two armadillos, Xerxes and Xavier, from finding a friend for Xiomara, who thinks she is the only extant xiphodon. Her new xiphodon friend’s name is Xander. The story is comprised of words that have as many x’s as possible. For example: “You have already exceeded our expectations, as experts expect xiphodons to be extinct,” explained Xerxes. The letter X truly gets its due. And all the x’s in the book are in bold type, so they stand out and are easy to recognize.

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VINNY THE VEGETARIAN VULTURE

​Reviewed by K. L.

5.0 out of 5 stars Vinny the Vegetarian Vulture book review for children

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2020

Sally Lee Baker is the author of this series that goes through the alphabet using alliteration to tell her stories. I think this is a very clever idea and introduces words that even I have to look up! Just a few more letters left to complete the alphabet!

I have read a few of her books before and enjoyed them!

I am impressed the author also illustrates her books too! I thought the illustrations were colorful and easy to distinguish the animals in them to be able to tell what is going on as the story progresses.

In this book we have the letter V which pops up all over the place! It is highlighted in the text. Also if you check the illustrations you may find the typed letter V hidden among the voles or by the vulture in some spot you have to look for!! I find this aspect of her books fun!

I like it that the author is a grandmother and there is a lovely photo at the end of the book with her reading to her grandchildren!

I received a free PDF copy of this book and am very happy to provide a review that is of my own opinion.

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WILBUR WOLF

Reviewed by Dawn H

5.0 out of 5 stars Short children's book that's fun and educational

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2020

This is the first book in the series that I’ve read. Each book in the series focuses on a letter of the alphabet. Obviously, “W” is the focus in Wilbur Wolf. I was impressed by how many “W” words the author was able to use while coming up with a story that children will enjoy. The illustrations are also cute and will help keep the attention of young children.

Wilbur Wolf worries about everything, even the wind! Wyatt is the smartest wolf in the pack, and he decides that Wilbur worries because he has no self-confidence. Wyatt comes up with a plan for the wolves to help Wilbur and, in turn, will keep him from disturbing everyone with his worries.

This my favorite kind of children’s book. It is fun to read, it teaches children about the letter “W” and it teaches about self-esteem. That makes it triple good!

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TONI TANAGER

Reviewed by golfgirl Mary on Amazon

There is EVERYTHING to like about this book. For the child reader-bright, colorful pictures, fun tongue twisters, some new vocabulary. For the teacher or parent - vocabulary development, fun reading. For the music teacher - could allow students to tap out a rhythm with appropriate instruments to the beat of the words. For the speech and language teacher - a fun story to help children who have difficulty with the letter "T" (many pre-K, K and grade 1 students have immature speech which can be corrected with the help of a fine story such as this one). Congratulations to the author - Ms Baker, for an outstanding book!!

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SALAMANDER SISTERS

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

It takes great skill and caution to survive in the swampy area that Sylvia and Sandi call home. A simple mistake could mean not seeing your family ever again in the dangerous waters that are inhabited by many occupants. It is for this reason that Sylvia embarks on teaching Sandi how to survive in the perilous waters. Her advice is simple, ‘stay close and do not talk to strangers’, but like any other youthful salamander, Sandi is curious and naïve and only time will tell whether she has learned her sister’s survival tactics. Written and illustrated by Sally Lee Baker, Salamander Sisters follows the life of Sandi as she comes of age and sheds her innocent outlook on the world around her. The book is the nineteenth of a sequence of ABC stories. It particularly focuses on teaching children within the ages of 3-5 the many applications of the letter "S."

In Salamander Sisters, Sally Lee Baker weaves an interesting story while enlightening the young reader on the many applications of the letter "S." Her experience as an author of children’s books shines from every page in the book. The story was very engrossing, practical and thoughtful. The idea of identifying the hidden letter in every illustration was brilliant. It adds a fun twist to the book and enhances the story’s primary theme. Additionally, the book contains a life lesson that is applicable to the targeted readership. Salamander Sisters will prove helpful to any child learning the use of the letter "S," therefore, I highly recommend it.

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​RUDE RUTHERFORD ROBIN

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Rude Rutherford Robin by Sally Lee Baker is a fun read which emphasizes the letter ‘r’. Riley Rat finds Rutherford Robin rude and tells that to Rachel Rattlesnake. Rutherford Robin calls Riley Rat a rodent and Rachel Rattlesnake a reptile, and they both are angry. Reggie Rhinoceros wants to know what the ruckus is all about. Reggie Rhinoceros remembers that Rutherford Robin thought he was a relative of the horse. They want to restrain Rutherford Robin from making any more harsh remarks. Will the animal friends be able to come up with something to restrain Rutherford Robin? Will Rutherford Robin change?

The concept of emphasizing the letter ‘r’ of the alphabet and using a bold font is interesting and makes learning ‘r’ and its pronunciation easy. The illustrations and story make it an entertaining read. Children will also enjoy finding the hidden letter ‘r’ in each page. It is a fun and interactive story and is perfect for read aloud sessions in classrooms and school libraries. Parents will find the book helpful when it comes to teaching their children the letter ‘r’. The illustrations breathe life into the story and give it a good pace and movement. I found the book engaging and interactive and I hope the author soon comes up with stories like this for every letter of the alphabet as it not only teaches children about the many uses of ‘r,’ but also helps to enhance their vocabulary by teaching them new words. The animal friends in the story will make children think and also understand the concept and message the author is trying to convey.

​PUDGY PORKY

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite  May 6, 2017

Do you know what alliteration means? Sally Lee Baker is an illustrator, storyteller and author of Pudgy Porky, which is an alliterative story. Alliteration is the repetition of the initial sounds of words. In Pudgy Porky by Sally Lee Baker, the alliteration is - you guessed it - full of P's. Children will love reading Pudgy Porky as they learn that it's okay being who you are and in being different. Peggy Porcupine and Peppy Puppy were being cruel to Perry Pig because he was different. They called him Pudgy Porky which made Perry Pig see himself differently, but with the help of Paula Panda, Perry Pig was able to embrace that difference. Instead of being cruel and mean in return to Peggy Porcupine and Peppy Puppy, he turned things around and they all became friends. Children will giggle and laugh as they read through the pages of Pudgy Porky by Sally Lee Baker and be challenged by the P tongue twisters.

I truly enjoyed reading Pudgy Porky by Sally Lee Baker, and the alliteration added such a great touch in teaching about social issues. In reading Pudgy Porky, children will learn that being themselves and expressing their uniqueness is part of the road to self-discovery. Being cruel is not nice and people should apologize for their behavior, but if they do not, then brush the dust off and move on. Also in reading, children will learn that even though someone else is being mean to them that maybe they too are having issues with their uniqueness and need help with their self-worth as well. Enjoy!

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​ITSY IS ITCHY

​​It is a clever and fun story with a rhythmic feel

By Susan Joy on November 8, 2015

Reading this little story reminded me a bit of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. There are actually no rhymes, but, somehow, I think W.S. Gilbert would approve of this tongue-twisting alliteration. When I heard that Itsy the Inchworm was itchy in his innards, already I was captivated. It is a clever and fun story with a rhythmic feel. The story isn't sacrificed for the sake of the technique. I was amazed at how well the author stuck with the alliteration while telling the story. Children might learn some new vocabulary too such as "inoperable." I think children would find these books just as delightful as Dr. Seuss.

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​BILLY BEAVER

​Excellent alphabet books!

By A. Klosterman on May 20, 2015

We received a set of Sally Lee Baker alphabet books from A to H. We love these! Super cute illustrations and good words for parents to read and kids to enjoy. It's great to encounter some words that you don't usually see in kids books. Extra bonus: a hidden letter on each page! This is great for my young son who loves alliteration.

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ANNIE ALLIGATOR

By Dan Baker on March 20, 2017

After acquiring and analyzing the Annie Alligator book from Amazon, I am able to accurately admit I was amazed at the authors ability to alliterate and animate so admirably. Her ardor and affection for actively adding to the academic accomplishmnets of pre-adolescents is awe-inspiring. Anticipating additional albums with equal appreciation, I applaud the author in applying her aptitude for writing such attractive adventures.

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