  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 09/01/2013 Gr 1–3—Once Beatrice figures out how to spell, she doesn't want to stop. With the support of her grandma, she spells everywhere and anywhere. Around town she spends her time correcting the myriad spelling errors she finds. At school she tries to start a spelling club, but her friends aren't interested. A disheartened Beatrice stops spelling for a whole week, until she comes up with a clever plan. She turns the class Show and Tell into Show and Spell, and then tells the class about her pet T-A-R-A-N-T-U-L-A Rose. Show and Spell takes the school by storm and soon Beatrice and her friends are spelling anywhere, at any time, and correcting errors together. Beatrice then writes a letter to Nanny Hannah, thanking her for giving her the spelling bug. This wordy picture book will introduce children not only to the joys of spelling but also to words like "lulu" and "crackerjack." Potter's folk-arty illustrations depict the story's action and emotion well, but feel a little dated. This book will find a ready audience among the spelling crowd and might encourage others to join them.—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 11/15/2013 Beatrice doesn’t think she’s ever going to learn to spell her name correctly, but once that’s accomplished, she’s off and running. She spells, and she spells well. Beatrice goes around town correcting misspelled signs, but when she tries to get her classmates to join a spelling club, all she hears is a big N-O. Then, an idea. She turns show-and-tell into show-and-spell. When she brings her T-A-R-A-N-T-U-L-A to class, she spells out all its characteristics. Now this sounds like fun to the class, and soon all the kids are joining in. This latest collaboration between Best and Potter features a smart, sympathetic heroine and her stalwart, spelling-loving grandmother who has encouraged her “spelling Bea” throughout her word-filled journey. The letter mentioned in the title is the one Bea writes to Nanny Hannah at the end of the book, thanking her: “Some people get hazel eyes . . . or orange sweaters from their grandmas. Thank you for giving me spelling.” Sturdy illustrations, full of action (and words), appear alongside a story that appeals to both heart and mind, making this S-W-E-L-L. - Copyright 2013 Booklist. Loading...
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