Caillou, Goes Birdwatching

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax, Ontario.

These books for preschoolers are based on the animated television series
featuring Caillou, who portrays a sort of “everychild.” Their
purpose is to help young children understand and cope with developments
and major changes in their lives.

In Caillou and Rosie’s Doll, the youngster tries out Mommy’s
colorful makeup on his sister’s doll. In Caillou Goes Birdwatching, he
discovers that sitting still can have its rewards. Caillou and the Big
Slide shows the youngster overcoming his fears. Caillou and the Rain has
Caillou splashing in all the puddles along the way to the store. In
Caillou Goes Camping, Caillou—with Grandpa’s help—learns how to
put up a tent. Caillou Goes on an Adventure follows the youngster as he
travels around the block. Caillou Goes to Work describes Caillou’s day
at work with his mother in her office. She works at her computer while
he also “works” drawing with his crayons. At the end of the day, he
tells Daddy all about it. Caillou Is Sick portrays an itchy youngster
recovering from chicken pox. In Caillou Makes a Snowman, Caillou’s
friend Sarah helps him build his first snowman. Caillou Rides on a Plane
takes the boy on his first plane ride as he and his family go on a
vacation. In Caillou Walks His Dog, the youngster wants to have his own
dog, but the family already has a cat named Gilbert. Caillou Hates
Himself shows a young boy who has fallen off his bike and needs a whole
box of bandages to make him feel better. When Caillou can’t get to
sleep at his friend Leo’s house, in Caillou Sleeps Over, his teddy
bear is there to comfort him. In Caillou and Gilbert, Mommy teaches
Caillou some new games to play with the family cat. Caillou Plans a
Surprise finds the boy making a surprise breakfast for his parents while
they sleep. In Caillou Sends a Letter, the young boy decides to surprise
Mommy with a letter to brighten her day. Like many children, Caillou is
messy with his toys, and Caillou Tidies His Toys provides strategies to
encourage children to clean up after themselves. When Caillou sees a
little dead bird, he begins to ask questions about death; Caillou Learns
He’s Getter Older deals with his questions in a thoughtful way.

The books are age-appropriate, concisely worded, and send a positive
message. For example, when Caillou accompanies his mother to work (in
Caillou Goes to Work), he is encouraged to try things for himself. When,
understandably, he becomes bored with the long sojourn in the office,
his mother finds creative ways to keep him busy. Humor is used in
Caillou Tidies His Toys to soften the “tidy up” commands, and an
incentive is provided in the form of a toy box constructed by Caillou
and his father. Simple, eye-catching illustrations in bright primary
colors reinforce the cheerful handling of the subject matter. All of
these books are recommended.