An Award-Winning Early Reader Book

Up, Tall, and High
Written & Illustrated by Ethan Long
Age Level: 4-7 Years
Published February 16, 2012

We call this a ‘page-turner.’

Up, Tall, and High is the first book that my son read cover to cover, which is significant because getting him to read a couple of pages each night is usually a battle. But with its interactive lift-the-flap party tricks and hilarious storylines, this book wins over even the most reluctant readers.

Divided up into three stories, beginner-level readers will appreciate the heavy use of repetition which supplies lots of practice on tricky sounds like the -igh trigraph in the “high” story. The integrated flaps are more than just bells-and-whistles, they reveal plot twists that keep readers hooked. I’m a big fan of the thick, glossy pages; this is a quality hardcover book that is going to withstand the test of time.

“I cannot go high!”
“Why?”
“Because I cannot fly!”

The American Library Association awarded this book the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (named for household favorite Dr. Seuss) in 2013. It’s an award given to early reader books that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage young audiences, much in the same spirit as Dr. Seuss, who is often quoted for having said, “Children want the same things we want: to laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted.” This book delivers on all fronts and paves the way for a lifelong love of reading.