Steve the Urban Rabbit is a children's book written by
Karen E. Smith. All illustrations, photographs, and text are by the
author. If your child likes rhyme then this book is a great choice. The
first half of the book contains a rhyming story and the second half of
the book includes facts about house rabbits and backyard "wild" rabbits.
Themes in Smith's books include anti-bullying and Nature Deficit
Disorder (NDD). Steve the Urban Rabbit is appropriate for ages 3-12. The next 2 children's books are coming in 2015/16. Smith's children's books are
prequels to her literacy research book, also to be launched in 2016.
Steve the Urban Rabbit has also been turned into a song by Karen E. Smith now available on:
Google Play (
click here) and many more MP3 release sites, 101 in total.
Rhapsody (
click here)
iTunes
(click here)
Amazon (
click here)
Smith's
book engages parents and their children in reading about nature in our
own midst. We tend to forget that both urban and rural settings contain
animals, insects, and plants which are all interesting subjects for
young readers, particularly boys. Photos in this book also include
rabbits from the University of Victoria lawns and bushes.
Most important is that this book is affordable in both paper and e-book
form. Get both and help your child learn to read in both paper book and
electronic formats. Today, parents are faced with a dilemna: Do we teach
our kids to read with paper or electronic books? Having this book in
both forms will help your child gain a firm stance in transliteracy
(reading in and across the variety of materials).
Below is a photo of the real-life Steve taken in the author's own
backyard. Steve says, "We can talk!" Find out what friendly advice he
has to say to the dog about "their ecological domain" in
Steve the Urban Rabbit.
This book can alternatively be used to transmit an anti-bullying
message since the rhyming part it about getting along despite
differences. Happy reading!
Some of you have asked. Why did I author my first book as Dr. Smith? You will
notice that the book is dedicated to my Grandfather who was bilingual
and an active musician (fiddler). He was never provided the opportunity
to read or write as he grew up; yet, he highly encouraged his children
and grandchildren to do so, providing them with opportunities that he
missed. In just two generations, one of his grandchildren is a doctor
of literacy. That's me. I authored the book with Dr. to honour my grandfather. Yes, literacy is inter-generational. If you can read
this, please encourage children to read and thus keep the cycle going in
their families/your family. Steve and Earl are the first 2 books in the series of 15...more to come. Happy reading!
