PreS-Gr 1–This series of beginning readers follows Nat, a dark-skinned boy, on his adventures playing, learning, and helping. In the five books, readers are introduced to simple words through repetition and context clues. The digital illustrations are spare and repetitive, thus minimizing distractions to the reader and enhancing context clues. At around nine pages long, with three to nine words per page, the “Nat” series is generally effectual; although context clues are a bit harder to decipher in
Nat Can Code.
Nat Visits the Museum is the most challenging book of the series, with words like “statue” and “painting,” so readers may need additional assistance. Each book features a note to parent and teachers on supporting beginning readers, as well as suggested activities to continue literacy and learning.
VERDICT Suitable, but without the verve of Bobby Lynn Maslen’s “Bob Books.”