# 8 The Playground Problem

Title:The Playground Problem

Author: Margaret McNamara

Illustrator: Mike Gordon

Publishing Company: Scholastic

Copyright Date: 2004

# of pages: 28

Genre/category: Picture Book

     I chose this book because to me, there are many kids that have problems like this and it really shows a good way to work things out between each other. I think every child should read this book. When Mrs. Connor’s first-grade class goes out for recess, the boys and the girls begin to have a problem. The boys will not let the girls play soccer with them. Emma gets angry and she comes up with a plan that will cause the boys to change their mind. It takes the boys a while, but they finally learn that girls can play soccer.

            The illustrator uses line and watercolors to create the pictures in the book. Most of the pictures in the book are of houses and people. The words in this book is typed in a larger font. The pictures are very colorful and the peoples facial expressions show exactly how the characters are feeling.

      This book is appropriate for  younger elementary kids who are around kindergarten to second grade level. The teacher could use this book to teach kids to play fair and to share things. This book could also be used to teach children that being a bully is wrong and that people should not be made fun of just because they are different. This book can also be use to teach about team work. Once the boys and the girls started playing together, they discovered that they could be a good team. This book does not have any awards.