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To School Season is nearly upon us. It may be July but the stores are chock
full of school supplies, the commercials on TV are loaded with parents and
children searching for unique items students can use in class, and the Summer
Reading lists are starting to garner attention.
In light of this exciting and
often tumultuous time of year, I went to the library and found five books that
help prepare little ones for their first day of school. I've also done a series of mini-reviews to aid you in
quickly finding quality books to read to your children.
1. The Night Before
Kindergarten
Author: Natasha Wing
Illustrator: Julie Durrell
Publisher: Grosset &
Dunlap An Imprint of Penguin Group
ISBN: 9780448482552
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:
A playful rhyming story
about children preparing for their first day of kindergarten. An assortment of
emotions circle the students the night before school begins and careens them
into their classroom the next day. In no time at all, apprehension turns to joy
as the teacher invites the children to play games and sing silly songs.
Caught up in the revelry,
the children fail to recognize that their parents are watching them and in need
of comfort. In the end, compassion and comunity are the most important lessons
of the day.
Mini-Review
Twas The Night Before
Christmas gets schooled in how things go down in kindergarten!
A frolicksome tale that
embodies the same rhythmic vibe as its classic holiday predecessor. Wings' delightful
verses and Durrell's cheerful illustrations create a merry story children will
enjoy listening to several times over.
2. Look Out
Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Author: Nancy Carlson
Illustrator: Nancy Carlson
Publisher: The Penguin
Group
ISBN: 9780670833783
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:
It's the first day of
Kindergarten and Henry is bursting with excitment about finally starting. He
eats a good breakfast, packs his bag and talks about all the things he's going
to do when he gets there.
But, when he arrives the
first day jitters set in. It's all so overwhelming. The building is so big;
there are so many new faces. After some gentle persuasion, Henry takes a look
around the classroom and decides kindergarten is going to be as much fun as he
thought.
Mini-Review:
Carlson has captured the
exuberance and hesitation most kindergartners feel when starting school. I met
many students who acted the same as Henry, in the end, they also realized
school was the place to be and stayed.
One of the things I liked
most about the book was the discussion between Henry and his mother about the
school day. It sets the stage for children and gives them an idea of what to
expect when they finally arrive.
3. the CLASS
Author: Boni Ashburn
Illustrator: Kimberly Gee
Publisher: Beach Lane
ISBN: 9781442422483
Rating: 4 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:
Bed head, mismatched
socks, a morning buffet of emotions; twenty children prepare for their first
day of school. A rhyming concept book that celebrates children on their fist
day of school and invites readers to count them.
Mini-Review
A lighthearted story that
will bring a smile to readers' faces. The characters epotimize the silliness
and apprehension of children preparing for their first day of school.
I like the picture of the
easel on the title page. As soon as the reader opens the book they feel the
creative possibilities school offers. The characters are adorable, playful and
authentic. A fun story that should spark
children's attention and help them open up about their own concerns for the
first day of school.
4. Tinyville Town
Author: Brian Briggs
Illustrator: Brian Briggs
Publisher: Abrams
Appleseed
ISBN: 9781419725661
Rating: 3 Lemon Drops
Book Summary
It’s Ellie Emberly’s first
day of school in her new hometown of Tinyville. Amid the hustle and bustle, the
principal, teachers and students give Ellie a warm welcome to the school. She
even makes a new friend named Chloe.
Mini-Review:
A fast-paced story full of
playful illustrations that draws the reader’s eye. Biggs’ enthusiastic portrayal
of the first day of school should grab a pre-reader’s attention and have them
talking about the characters’ activities in the pictures.
5. Adventure Annie Goes To Kindergarten
Author: Toni Buzzeo
Illustrator: Amy Wummer
Publisher: Dial Books For
Young Readers
ISBN:9780803733589
Rating: 5 Lemon Drops
Book Summary:
Adventure Annie is off to
kindergarten. This high-spirited pioneer and extrovert extraordinaire simply
bursts with childhood enthusiasm. Her creative spontaneity stuns her classmates
and keeps her teacher, Mr. Todd, on his toes as he gently reminds Annie about
the classroom rules. By the day’s end, Annie’s energetic leadership helps
recover two missing classmates and the milk for snack.
Mini-Review:
Adventure Annie is a
high-spirited character that will have children laughing in their seats.
Teachers will find her impulsive antics relatable and endearing. A marvelous
story to read children as they embark on their own kindergarten adventure!
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