Children's+Trading+Cards

Most trading cards such Dragon Ball Z ([|www.dragonballz.com]) & Pokemon ([|www.pokemon-go.com] ) are marketed to children with a reading level of 5th grade or higher. The trading cards are used to play games. Rules and game-playing in general require some sophisticated reading skills. However, younger children often collect the cards simply for the pictures on them. They are then motivated to try to read the information on the cards which DOES improve their vocabulary and reading skills. The novels that go along with these trading cards are, by and large, merely chapter books - not graphica. While that is disappointing, there are many other forms of graphica available. The chapter books typically are adventure stories which arise from the gaming situations and have a 4th grade reading level and up.

Bella Sara trading cards say that they are usable by children as young as five. These trading cards all have pictures of horses and a character-building statement. The statements are designed to describe the horses but have the added advantage of being traits all parents would like their children to develop. A sample trading card says that the horse's name is Helia and her parents are Flame and Nike. This card carries the statement, "Doing things together helps our friendship grow." (Hidden City Games, 2008) The accompanying website ([|www.bellasara.com]) which has a parent component allows children to play games similar to Go Fish & Old Maid with the cards or create a virtual horse for a pet. The horses are drawn a bit fantastical which is also a feature of Dragon Ball Z & Pokemon.

Because of the nature of the pictures and activities that go along with the horse trading cards, these may be more interesting to girls than boys. Some of the accompanying chapter books can be read on the web site. Others must be purchased. The website lists stores where items related to the trading cards may be purchased. Unfortunately, although the games can be played by a five year old and much of the web site is easily understandable even by a beginning reader, the chapter books are quite difficult high fantasy with a reading level of 5th grade or above. As with the chapter books that accompany Dragon Ball Z and Pokemon, these are typical trade books with few pictures - not graphica.