The Look Out! Book: A Child's Guide to Street Safety

Ethel King-Shaw is a professor emeritus of curriculum and instruction at
the University of Calgary.

Two mothers collaborated to write this book for children on how to play safely on the street. In addition, the book is intended to be used by parents as a basis for discussion with their children. Illustrator Barbara Klunder has had experience with a variety of media, including other children’s books.

The topics include many aspects of outdoor play: going out, dressing properly, where to play, safe and unsafe places, playing safely, looking out for nature, going safely, riding safely, signs to remember, staying safe, asking for help, and coming home. Topics for discussion, “what if,” and an adaptation of the snakes-and-ladders game called “The Lookout Game” are also included.

Clear and imaginative illustrations convey meaning over double pages. Rules are set off in easy-to-read boxes. Visually this is a very attractive book. While the rules are clearly stated, the approach is didactic. If the authors had used a problem approach or had provided a story line where the rules could be arrived at inductively, the message might be learned more effectively by children. Certainly there are many excellent points made on contemporary problems that parents can use as a basis for discussion with children.

A brief supplement suggesting how best to use the book with children would be a useful resource. The Lookout Book has been endorsed by the Block Parent Program of Canada.