Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play
(Clothesline Clues)

PreS-Gr 2--Much like this duo's popular Clothesline Clues for Jobs People Do (Charlesbridge, 2012), this title presents illustrations of clothing and accessories paired with rhyming text that allow readers to guess which sport will be revealed on the next page. Sports such fencing and archery are shown side by side with baseball, soccer, and football. Just as in Jobs, gender equality is the rule of the game, with equal numbers of men and women, boys and girls. Some examples lend themselves better to the clothesline treatment than others: a jersey, matching shorts, shoes, and a basketball are easy to guess. However, the tennis clothesline holds only a headband and shoes. Nevertheless, kids will love guessing the sports and finding the repeated images on each page. A school bus runs through each spread, and the final pages depict a party with adult athletes and kids playing together. Children are invited to picture themselves participating: "The clothes hold clues to sports people play./What sport would you like to try out today." VERDICT Sure to please in sports-themed storytimes, especially during the Olympics.--Jennifer Wolf, Beaverton City Library, OR