Shapes

by Jane Salt

Published September 1990
A new series of concept and information books, "Ready Steady Go" is especially designed for 2-4 year olds. Each book builds on concepts which young children may have met before and provides further information on a specific topic. The child-centred information is organized spread by spread, providing plenty to look at and talk about. A special feature is the play element in which toddlers explore and comment on the information contained in the illustrations. Their activities suggest how parents can use play to extend the ideas introduced in the text. In this way, the skills and vocabulary of the very young are increased. "Shapes" discusses each of the most familiar shapes in turn and illustrates how they are found all around us. Children are shown using shapes and playing with them and discovering the patterns that can be made with different shapes. Jane Salt trained and worked as a primary schoolteacher with special responsibility for language development and literacy. She has contributed to "Reasons for Writing" and has written several titles in the "Parent and Child Programme" as well as acting as consultant for the "Sunshine" reading series.
Charlotte Stowell has written and illustrated a series of books for the Natural History Museum and her Bible story books have been published in several languages.

On the Farm

by Jane Salt

Published July 1990
"Ready Steady Go" is a new series of concept and information books for 2-4 year olds. The child centred information is organized spread by spread developing the reader's (and read-to's) knowledge, providing plenty to look at and talk about. A special feature is the play element in which toddlers explore and comment on the information contained in the illustrations. Their activities suggest how parents can use play to extend the ideas introduced in the text. In this way, the skills and vocabulary of the very young are increased. This book describes all the various activities that take place on a farm, such as raising livestock; growing crops; milking dairy cows; and spinning wool. It shows animals working on farms and being cared for by their owners. It describes baby animals and discusses the sounds and textures found on a farm.