Preschoolers Acquiring Language Skills—Set 2: Seasons and Special Days (2002). By Carol Liddiard Buteau & Kathryn Kohnert. Thinking Publications, 424 Galloway St., Eau Claire, WI 54703. 500-page binder and two audio CDs; $146. Reviewed by Kathleen L. Bulloch, Anaheim, CA.

Preschoolers Acquiring Language Skills—Set 2: Seasons and Special Days (PALS-2) is a multipurpose language program for young children ages 2–5. This resource is contained in a three-ring binder and contains 17 more PALS units to add to your preschool language program. Units include birthday fun, camping, circus, pets, sports, winter, Valentine’s Day, spring, bunnies and eggs, Cinco de Mayo, Independence Day, fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.

This resource uses the same developmentally appropriate format as the original PALS, complete with two new audio CDs and parent class handouts on the topics of child development, language development, and autism. Features of this preschool program also include thematic units complete with sample lesson plans and procedures; suggestions for activities and crafts; reproducible art for bulletin boards and crafts; reproducible activity pages for home; two CDs with more than 80 familiar songs and chants with reproducible lyrics; handouts for families; and units that embed language activities for phonology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

PALS-2 is a comprehensive preschool language program, which minimizes the planning time required for an effective language-based preschool program. As a consultant to several autism programs, this resource was utilized with staff, parents, and students with great success. The teachers appreciated the theme-based approach. The reproducibles were easy to utilize. Instructions were clear and concise. The students particularly enjoyed the various theme-related songs and chants, and language production was evident.

The parent information on important issues such as communication development, facilitating child development, and autism were particularly relevant and useful. The three-ring binder format allowed teachers to conveniently add data sheets or duplicate materials and replace in one notebook with ease.

PALS-2 offers a comprehensive and cohesive preschool language program. It is well worth the investment of its cost if utilized consistently and implemented as recommended by the authors and publisher.