Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata.32 p., Hyperion, 2006. When children go to school, they might miss their parents. In this sweet story, a little bunny imagines that she'll miss her Mommy when school starts. Although she could bring Mommy's picture with her, what she really wishes for - and the story elaborates on - is that Mommy would be tiny enough to fit in her pocket, so she could keep her there all day at school, next to her heart. She imagines the whole day like this. But she knows that even though that won't happen, she'll be all right at school, "because the love in Mommy's hug and kiss ... will stay with me all day!" This rhyming story is illustrated with tenderly colored, yet energetic watercolors. It offers empathy with children's wishes, along with reassurance that they can tolerate ordinary separations from parents. Ages 2-6
Showing posts with label starting school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label starting school. Show all posts
Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis
32 p., Harcourt, 2005.
Starting kindergarten can be scary, even if you know all about it because your older sister was once in kindergarten. Such is the case for Dex, who verbalizes that kindergarten is going to be "a piece of cake," but his facial expressions tell us otherwise. And also, his toy dog, Rufus, is just a little scared. Dex's sister, Jes, gives him lots of reassurance, but he still has lots of worries, and she has to drag him to his classroom. There, he acknowledges that there are "some kind of good surprises abotu kindergarten" - for example, his friend from preschool is in his class. The children hear stories, make art, cook, write, look at books, build with blocks, play dress-up, go to the library, and eat lunch at the cafeteria. Dex learns that there are custodians to help you when you accidentally spill your milk. But at the end of the day, Dex can't find Rufus. He's panicked. His teacher enlists Jes to help him look, and they retrace his steps, but they can't find him. Finally, Dex finds Rufus in the classroom. With happy relief, he decides not to bring Rufus to school any more. As the story ends, Dex looks forward to learning in kindergarten - he's already learned that "kindergarten rocks!" The colorful, almost childlike illustrations clearly express Dex's emotions. Children will learn that kindergarten rocks - and that even though you might lose your equanimity when you face a big change like starting kindergarten, you'll find it quickly.
Ages 4-8
Starting kindergarten can be scary, even if you know all about it because your older sister was once in kindergarten. Such is the case for Dex, who verbalizes that kindergarten is going to be "a piece of cake," but his facial expressions tell us otherwise. And also, his toy dog, Rufus, is just a little scared. Dex's sister, Jes, gives him lots of reassurance, but he still has lots of worries, and she has to drag him to his classroom. There, he acknowledges that there are "some kind of good surprises abotu kindergarten" - for example, his friend from preschool is in his class. The children hear stories, make art, cook, write, look at books, build with blocks, play dress-up, go to the library, and eat lunch at the cafeteria. Dex learns that there are custodians to help you when you accidentally spill your milk. But at the end of the day, Dex can't find Rufus. He's panicked. His teacher enlists Jes to help him look, and they retrace his steps, but they can't find him. Finally, Dex finds Rufus in the classroom. With happy relief, he decides not to bring Rufus to school any more. As the story ends, Dex looks forward to learning in kindergarten - he's already learned that "kindergarten rocks!" The colorful, almost childlike illustrations clearly express Dex's emotions. Children will learn that kindergarten rocks - and that even though you might lose your equanimity when you face a big change like starting kindergarten, you'll find it quickly.
Ages 4-8
What Did You Do Today? The First Day of School by Toby Forward
Illustrated by Carol Thompson.32 p., Clarion, 2004.
Even when children and parents are apart during the day, they're connected not only by thinking about each other, but by the similar elements in their days. In this story, it's a little boy's first day of preschool. The day starts with packing lunches - one for him, one for his mother. At school, the little boy hugs his mother and watches her as she disappears, and soon he's so busy that he forgets about missing her. On facing pages, we see the child's and the mother's similar experiences: greeting classmates (or colleagues), eating snacks and lunch, writing, even feeling sleepy. We see the mother thinking about the little boy on most of the pages, and the little boy thinking about his mother at lunchtime and when it's time to get ready to go home. They reunite joyfully, ready to hear about each other's day. With its warm, happy watercolor illustrations, this story offers reassurance and connection.
Ages 2-5
Even when children and parents are apart during the day, they're connected not only by thinking about each other, but by the similar elements in their days. In this story, it's a little boy's first day of preschool. The day starts with packing lunches - one for him, one for his mother. At school, the little boy hugs his mother and watches her as she disappears, and soon he's so busy that he forgets about missing her. On facing pages, we see the child's and the mother's similar experiences: greeting classmates (or colleagues), eating snacks and lunch, writing, even feeling sleepy. We see the mother thinking about the little boy on most of the pages, and the little boy thinking about his mother at lunchtime and when it's time to get ready to go home. They reunite joyfully, ready to hear about each other's day. With its warm, happy watercolor illustrations, this story offers reassurance and connection.
Ages 2-5