Book Description

'Twas the night before kindergarten, and as they prepared,
kids were excited,
and a little bit scared.

It's the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all-saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won't be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is! Colorful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic Clement C. Moore Christmas poem. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Unrealistic
I bought several copies of this book for neighborhood children who are starting school in September. After reading it, I am not going to give it to anyone. In the book, parents drive their children to school. There is no mention of a "bus ride" which is how everyone gets to school (where we live, anyway!). The idea that Mommy and Daddy will be dropping them off at school is misleading and confusing. I also agree with one person's comments about the parents crying. Do kids need to worry about this? The purpose of buying this book was to ease children's fears, not add to worry and confuse them. A waste of money!

A Darling Book!
I bought this for my 2 year old who was starting Preschool and she LOVES it! It has darling illustrations, a cute story and a happy ending.....I recommend this one!

Nice beginning...
I like the way the book begins, with children thinking and wondering about kindergarten, the night before school begins. But the book then turns to the mommies and daddies, who stand crying at the door on the first day of kindergarten. I didn't really want to give my daughter any ideas, as she was already a nervous wreck. The teacher assures the parents that everything will be fine, but I really didn't like this part of the book at all.

Very Cute and Clever
I bought this book for my granddaughter and for a friend's child who is entering kindergarten. Loved the idea of making children aware that this is a big step for them but somewhat bitter-sweet for their parents. Mentioned leaving their baby things behind as they go into the big school world. Pictures were very up to date--clothes, backpacks, school supplies. Very well done. I would extend the age range for appropriate readership through kindergarten age and not limit it to preschool.

Really is a great book to read before kindergarten
I purchased this book for my daughter and read it to her a few weeks before her first day in kindergarten. It does have a neat ending, which I think helps children forget about their fears of the first day of school. Even though kindergarten has started, my daughter still likes me to read this to her. ... Read more

Book Description

When her teacher assigns the class a task of creating "Me" collages, it puts Judy and her friends in a cut-and-paste mood.

Description in Spanish: Judy Moody cambia de humor muy fácilmente, y ¡en un día puede pasar por todos! Un interesante proyecto que les asigna el maestro el primer día de clases pone a Judy y a sus compañeros de humor para cortar y pegar... ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Read All-About-Judy Moody!
Judy Moody is a wonderful book - thought provoking, adventurous... and funny! Not only will readers have fun learning about Judy and her moods, but they'll also learn how Judy deals with her moods. Luckily Judy is quite a creative thinker, which helps her turn some of the "worst things ever" into some of the best things ever. The illustrations are absolutely fabulous - very whimsical and playful... a perfect fit for the story!

As a guidance counselor, I can already see many ways to use Judy Moody with kids in my work - from discussing "moods", problem solving, and friendships, to self-awareness through the "All-About-Me" project. This book will appeal to both boys and girls alike - a must for every library, classroom, and family bookshelf!

Read It Silently, Read It Aloud, Just Read It
Every parent and teacher of third grade children should read this book to themselves then with the kids! What a fresh perspective of childhood from a grown-up. This is the way eight year olds talk, think, and act. I see it daily in the halls at school. Judy Moody sees and tells about life in a way that makes the reader laugh out loud, moan over toads, and remember all of the joys of being eight. Friendships gained, little brothers tolerated and mysterious parents all combine to make this book a must for every home and school library. The faculty and staff of our school love it so much that our copy of Judy Moody, which arrived last week, is already showing signs of wear and tear.

Starring Judy Moody
This book stars JUDY, a third grader with lots of pizzazz and ideas and frustrations galore. Somehow she manages to weather all her storms and figure out the silver linings. Of course, first she must sulk a litte and smirk alot. Gotta read this to understand! My daughter has picked this for our first mother/daughter book group. The girls plan to create collages to help explain their own moods and selfs. I think this is a good pick!

Will put you in a good mood
I recently read this book with my 8 year old son for the bookclub we are in through his school library, and we loved it. He was intent on not reading it at first because he thought it was a "girls book", but when we finished it the other day he was actually disappointed. I found it to be heartwarming and funny. Especially her turnaround in feelings about the "eats paste" kid and the TP club. He seemed to enjoy it a lot, you will too.

Put me in a mood...
a mood of mirth! I loved this book! For those who have read Ramona and Junie B. Jones but needed to keep searching - try Judy moody. Judy is in a bad mood on her first day of third grade with a scowl and when she is forced to sit next the boy who eats paste things get worse. Her know-it-all little brother, Stink, gets to meet the president, a toad pees on her, her Venus flytrap is eating hamburger...it's no wonder that Judy is in a mood.

Judy has good moods, too. Like when she and her best friend Rocky start the T.P. Club or when playing tricks on Stink. Through the book, she learns that sometimes things are not as bad as they first appear and that sometimes good can come out of a situation that would seem bad.

Why 5 Stars?:
As a third grade teacher I plan to read this book to my class for many years to come ~ in fact, I even plan to use the "Me Collage" next year. It shows them how to be comfortable with emotions, and that good can come from anything. This book is also on an appropriate reading level and interest level for third graders. ... Read more

Book Description

A best-selling book for the first day of school. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

I read it on the first day of school...
As a brand-new teacher (first grade), I thought this would be a great icebreaker and nerve-soother to read to my kids on the first day of school. None of them expected the surprise ending. The book helped both my criers and the rest of the class -- I talked to the criers about jitters, and how I had them, and how most everyone has them on the first day of school. I was able to use the book as an example to those better-adjusted kids, explaining that some people have worse first-day jitters than others. It was a great book to ease the kids into school again!

Everyone has had it - first day school jitters - a must read
Favorite characters: Sarah, Mr. Hartwell, and Mrs. Burton

Everyone has had it, the fear of that first day of school. This is what First Day Jitters is all about. But this book puts a humorous twist on those fears. The ending will warm your heart, no matter if you're eight or eighty years old.
Colorful pictures that follow that first day of school you remember, only this time with a surprise ending. This is a great book for kids that are nervous to go to school, or adults who want to read books about their childhood. You really can't go wrong with a book like this.

My 4 1/2 year old's new favorite book!
My son loved this book the first time I read it; he just finished his 1st year of pre-school and since he's an only child, he had a challenging time getting used to school and lots of kids all in one room! They changed the location of his school starting in the fall, so this was a timely book, as he won't be in the same building, and many of his new friends will be going elsewhere, thus he will have to look at new faces once again. This book has a great ending that made us laugh. I recommend the book highly.

A Must Have
This book is a must have for all teachers. I've read it to students as old as 4th grade and they've really enjoyed the twist at the end. It's a good discussion starter and can be used for all grades. I am also a fan of the author because I was her daughter's 3rd grade teacher! Get the book and have fun reading it to your class!

Everyone has the jitters!
Well, this is a superb book for children on the first day of school. The story tells about Sara Hartwell and how she does not want to go to school. She is worried that no one will like her and is extremely nervous about all the things people get nervous about on the first day of school. Mr. Hartwell with much fighting gets Sara to school as the princial is waiting on her to take her to class. When he shows her to the room you find out that Sara is really the teacher! It definitely a new perspective! This is a great way to start a discussion with students about how adults also get nervous and scared and share how they deal with those feelings. I use this book as a great story starter and have my first grade students write about what they have ever been nervous about and have them share and learn from each other's stories. Excellent job Julie Danneberg and Judith Dufour Love! ... Read more

Amazon.com

On the first day of kindergarten, Miss Bindergarten must prepare her classroom for her beloved students. This noble, whimsical teacher greets her dark, summertime-empty classroom with an explosion of color--a bouquet of fall leaves, a goldfish, rolled-up posters, and shoeboxes full of no-doubt-delightful surprises. Meanwhile, her young students get ready, too: "Adam Krupp wakes up. Brenda Heath brushes her teeth. Christopher Beaker finds his sneaker." Author Joseph Slate matches each animal character with a letter of the alphabet, and readers can flip to the back to discover that Adam is an alligator, Brenda is a beaver, and Christopher is a cat--and so on, through the more obscure animals such as the quokka and the Uakari monkey. Youngsters will relish the scenes of school preparation, adorned by rhyming text: a mother iguana dragging her son Ian Lowe (who cries "I won't go!") out the front door, and the little vole Vicki Densel biting her pencil. And of course Miss Bindergarten is the kindergarten teacher we either remember fondly or wish we had. The final back-to-school classroom scene explodes with love and pride and the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. For kids who adore this book--and there are thousands--don't miss Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff's second loving tribute to teachers and students,Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the100th Day of Kindergarten. (Ages 4 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (11)

REview of Miss Bindergarten
Miss Bindergarten, a dog wakes up and gets ready for her first day back to school. She packs her car and prepares to fix her gloomy classroom. Her pupils are getting ready for their first day of kindergarten. Each student (animals) has a rhyme to go with their activity: "Beaver Heath brushes her teeth" and "Ian Lowe says, 'I won't go' ''. Some are excited and some, such as Ian, are upset. Meanwhile, Miss Bindergarten has transformed her room into a bright rainbow of colors. Ashley Wolff does a wonderful job of illustrating this book. The illustrations are done in watercolor-and-gouache. Depicting the animals realistically, she captures excitement, dispear, and love in their facial expressions. Each animal looks incredibly life like, even though they are portrayed with some human characteristics. I think that it is important for children's books to illustrate animals realistically. If children look at books that show purple elephants and blue horses they will believe can be any color. This way the children will be better able to identify the animal when they see it again. The colors used in this book are very vibrant. Every page contains busy animals and curved text, they fill every available space.

This book is delightful for teachers and children alike!
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten is a delightful book that should be a part of every kindergarten classroom! It is a good "ice breaker" story for the first day of school and gives the children an idea of what it is like for the teacher to prepare her classroom as well as exploring the various feelings that children may have about the first day of school.

The rhyming words and repetitive text throughtout the book provide the children with an opportunity to participate in the story, as well as enhancing their recall skills.

The illustrations are beautifully done and provide much for the children to look at. My personal favorite is the one in which Miss Bindergarten (who is a dog)applies lipstick right before school starts!

MISS BINDERGARTEN
I don't think this book gives an accurate veiw of what kindergarten is like. I teach pre-school and have been to kindergarten classes with the children. This book gives an idea of what pre-school is like.

Teachers work too
My pre-k and kindergarten students loved this book. They found all the animals dressed in clothing fascinating. It was a good introduction to centers around the room too. We talked about how much work had gone into preparing the room and how everyone should work together to keep it neat and tidy. Its a great "1st week of school" book, but revisiting it during the year when clean-up has become a problem helped too. The alphabet/animal connection is also useful and fun to work with during an animal unit.

A book for every child starting school
Looking at this book from the point of view of an adult, I didn't get it. The illustrations are decent, but nothing spectacular. The rhymes are not particularly inventive. And not much happens in the book, which simply shows a teacher getting her classroom ready for the first day of kindergarten, while students are getting ready in their own way - eating breakfast, saying good-bye (or clinging to mom), getting on the bus, and so forth. It's also an alphabet book. Each child in the class has a name that begins with a different letter of the alphabet. But there are hundreds of alphabet books on the market, I thought, and many of them are more clever or better illustrated than this one.

Boy, was I wrong. I got this book out of the library the summer before my daughter started kindergarten. She was a little nervous about starting. She's the type of kid who wants to stand back and observe every situation before she plunges in. That made her the perfect kid for this book. While we had it out of the library, she asked me to read it several times every day. I ended up buying a copy of the book before returning the library copy, because it would have broken her heart to be without it.

My daughter just finished kindergarten, and I have read this book literally hundreds of times. She still loves it, and I think I've finally figured out why it's so appealing. At the beginning of the book, you see a dark, empty, slightly scary looking classroom. For a child who's afraid of starting school, I think that's a pretty good image of her expectation. But a nice teacher comes in and adds blocks, play kitchen toys, mobiles, paint and brushes, posters, crayons and pencils, etc. and turns the classroom into a beautiful, inviting place. Little by little a child learns to see the classroom as a good place to be. Also, as the teacher adds each new thing, it gives the child a chance to see and talk about some of the new things she will discover when she gets there.

This book has already become a classic. It was the first book my daughter's kindergarten teacher read to the class (from talking to other parents, I've discovered that's true in a LOT of classes). And hearing a familiar and adored book the first day of school added to my daughter's sense of comfort.

If you have a child who has any apprehension about starting school, this book is probably the best tool available for helping him or her overcome it. ... Read more

Book Description

All year long, Chico’s family moves up and down the state of California to pick fruits and vegetables. Every September, Chico starts at a new school. Often, the other kids pick on him — maybe because he’s always new, or maybe because he speaks Spanish sometimes. But third grade promises to be different. He likes his teacher, and she recognizes his excellent abilities in math — he may even get to go to the math fair! When some fourth-grade bullies tease him, he surprises them with strengths of his own. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Less than perfect, sad to say
Oog. I always have a great deal of difficulty giving poor reviews to books that fill a need. And I especially find it hard to give a tough review to a book that not only tells a tale about a boy of Latin American descent, but also won a coveted Pura Belpre Honor. Nevertheless, I have to admit that I was unimpressed by author L. King Perez's foray into the world of children's picture books. Though a well-meaning tale about standing up for one's self, the story is an overly familiar one and its packaging is nothing to write home about.

Our hero is a boy named Chico. Chico moves with his family up and down California as they pick fruits and vegetables to support themselves. Now it is September when the grapes are ready to be picked and Chico is not particularly fond of the idea of going back to school. He moves around quite a lot and is familiar with bullies and kids that tease him because he is different. In this particular school, however, something changes. His teacher likes him, he does particularly well in math, and he finds a way to deal with the bullies that he meets. As the book flap says, "This story of personal triumph is a testament to the inner strength in all of us". Well...sort of.

The fact of the matter is, there's not a lot here that hasn't been hashed and rehashed in better books. Want to read a story about a child that deals with some prejudices that are less obvious than the ones dealt with in this story? Try finding A.F. Ada's, "My Name is Maria Isabel". Like the idea of a child of migrant workers that finds strength in standing up to people without relying on violence? Look at fellow Pura Belpre winner, "Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez" by Kathleen Krull. These books have a style and wit all of their own, and they're well worth seeking out. "First Day In Grapes"? Not so much.

Here were my problems with the book. First of all (and there's no getting around it) the book's boring. I'm sorry, but there it is. Moments of tension aren't properly built up. Accompanied by illustrator Robert Casilla's interesting but by and large mediocre pictures, the book has a kind of dragging feel. Then there's the method by which Chico defeats his bullies. I have little doubt that there are ways to outsmart such villains. You'll just have to forgive me if I don't think shaming them with math skills is one of them. The ending is a bit patchy, and more than a touch unbelievable. I can hear people claiming that such a thing could happen. And maybe in a better book I would have bought it. But L. King Perez, while having an interesting story on her hands, hasn't sold it to the reader properly.

My final call? Some kids will dig this book, but most won't. Its themes and ideas are so common in children's literature and picture books that I can say with almost absolute certainty that you will have minimal difficulty finding them in other better pieces of kiddie lit. While I agree with almost every Pura Belpre Honor book there is, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend this one. That's all.

Creative Courage - A Great Read
I loved this book. It is a tribute to the human spirit. Children really understand the underlying theme. Beatifully written.

First Day in Grapes is First Rate!!!!!
The main character in this book, Chico, is Hispanic, but his story is universal and engaging. I was delighted when my third-grader, who is a reluctant reader, read this book without stopping. She loved how Chico stood up for himself and solved his problems with Math. The illustrations are wonderful and the story has a terrific moral without preaching.

Great book for any child who is starting at a new school!
I just loved this book, and my nephew who is starting a new school this year wants me to read it to him every time he comes over.
This book is beautifully illustrated and has something for all children, especially our growing hispanic population. The main character moves around a lot because his parents are migrant farm workers. What a wonderful story. A must read for 4 to 9 year olds

Great read for young Hispanics.
I recently read First Day in Grapes to my second grade class. They were engaged by the story of Chico and his experiences in yet another new school. Half of my kids came up to me afterward and told me they "loved" this story. They made a lot of connections with an Hispanic character and many could relate to moving around. I would recommend this book highly to teachers and others who value a story with a meaningful moral. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Pippi Longstocking's long red braids are the very image of childhood rebellion. In Pippi Goes to School, our heroine's insurrectionary spirit is hardly dampened by her first taste of academe. Her friends Tommy and Annika head off bright and early at 8 a.m., "hand in hand, swinging their schoolbags." Pippi can't be bothered to get going until a little later: "At exactly ten o'clock she lifted her horse off the front porch, and a little later all the people in the town ran to their windows to see what horse it was that was running away." It's just Pippi headed for school in her own inimitable fashion. The teacher's vain attempts to teach her math and art and music fail miserably. When asked to add 7 and 5, she retorts, "If you don't know that yourself, you needn't think I'm going to tell you." It's not that Pippi's naughty, it's just that she has her own way of doing things. At the end of the day, it's she who's consoling the exhausted teacher: "You understand, Teacher, don't you, that when you have a mother who's an angel and father who's a cannibal king, and when you have sailed on the ocean all your whole life, then you don't know just how to behave in school." This slender paperback picture book is neatly adapted from the Astrid Lindgren classic Pippi Longstocking, with assistance from Lindgren herself. Michael Chesworth's lively, modernized illustrations make clever reference to the original edition, without being slavish. (Ages 4 to 8)--Claire Dederer ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Supper
This book is supper ! I love Pippi ! I have her Video and DVD. She is the smartest girl in the whole world ! When she got in shool she starts jumping on the desks ! Because she din't know what to do in shool. I really recomend it to buy this book.

Excellent!
This is a marvelous way to introduce young readers to the fabulous world of Pippi Longstocking! The illustrations are delightful and the stories are rollicking and full of fun!

okay
This book, I had thought when I bought it, had a good plot. Key word there? Thought! ... Read more

Book Description

The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can't wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting. When he gets to school, though, he's not so sure he's ready for kindergarten. But before long Henry discovers that the only thing he's not ready for is how much fun he's going to have at school! This gently humorous, encouraging story will give children about to enter kindergarten an extra boost of confidence.

"Perfect for parents to share with their children, and the endearing Henry will offer reassurance to even the most hesitant prekindergartners."
-Booklist ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bad illustrations
I found this book to be trite and predictable. It could help children and parents to prepare for Kindergarten, but so could many other books that are better, such as the Miss Bindergarten books or The Night Before Kindergarten. I understand that young children need simple, colorful books, but the illustrations in Look Out Kindergarten just did not do it for me. I myself have little visual art ability, but feel I could have illustrated this book better. Being a librarian, I know that preschool age children need great illustrations to enhance their listening; this book was a large disappointment.

For Younger children
I bought this book for my almost five year old granddaughter who is about to enter kindergarten and found it to be below her comprehension and appreciation standards. Her younger sister who is 2 seemed to enjoy it.

Beginning Kindergarten
I am a Kindergarten Teacher and my students loved reading this book. It is a great way to introduce the school year. Parents this is also a great book to read to your little one as they begin school-it discuss first day of school jitters and excitement. Nancy Carlson does a wonderful job! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Mischievous and fun
Mischievous, Korean-born Yoon deals with starting school and learning English. She likes her name in Korean. It means shining wisdom. She is not so sure she likes YOON, her name written in English. The illustrations are stark, rich, and playful.

Wonderful book to share with children of all ages.
This is a wonderful story that can be shared with any age group. It's about a young Asian girl who comes to America and refuses to write her English name. Beautiful story that teaches a lesson at the end. The pictures are spectacular and very intricate. I love this book! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Tiff at GMS
The story was mainly told in the forest. The main characters in the story was Franklin. The minor characters were bear, rabbit,fox beaver skunk. The theme was that this book would be that school is alot of fun and don't be afraid to go there. School is a good learning experience. The style would be that the author has a picture on every page and it has friends playing and having fun on every page.

A VERY SWEET AND ENDEARING BOOK
FRANKLIN IS A CHARACTER THAT ANYONE REGARDLESS OF AGE CAN LOVE. IN FRANKLIN GOES TO SCHOOL HE HAS GREAT RESERVATIONS ABOUT THIS NEW EXPERIENCE AS DID WE ALL AND OVERCOMES THEM WITH THE HELP OF HIS FRIENDS. I WOULD RECOMEND ANY FRANKLIN BOOK.

Franklin wins the hearts of children the very first time .
All of the Franklin books deal with something a child might face.They are written so it is easy for children to conect with their new found friend, and thats just what Franklin will become. I teach children and Franklin is the most asked for of all the books we have. His stories are great and children learn from his experiences.

Our 5 yr old loves the entire series. She reads them aloud.
From the first time our daughter had a "Franklin" book read to her, she's loved the series. Beautifully illustrated and written "up" to a child's level. We wish there were more titles available. ... Read more

Book Description

"Do I have to go?" Owen asks.
"Yes," his mother replies.

But his mother sends him off with more than just his lunch. She promises that no matter where he is and no matter what he's doing -- whether Owen is making a new friend or spilling his juice -- she'll love him all day long, from the moment they part until the moment Owen is back in her arms again.

Francesca Rusackas and Priscilla Burris's book is a reassuring tale of how the enduring love of a parent stays with a child whether they are together or apart.

Reviews (6)

A Darling Book!
With its tender message and darling illustrations, this book is a household favorite! A perfect gift for parents who are sending their little ones off to school!

What a great discovery!
I discovered this book by accident and it has literally become a staple of evening reading with my 2 1/2 year old. It's so great to watch a child grasp the concept that just because a parent is away from them during the day, doesn't mean they don't still love them. My daughter says "I Love and miss you all day long, Mommy" almost every day when I leave for work. I have given this book to all of my working mom friends, too! A must have!

Very Reassuring to my toddler
"I Love You All Day Long" has become a common phrase around our house. My toddler loves the book. She finds it reassuring in her daily life with and without mommy. She enjoys the pictures. It's a wonderfully touching story true to the life of a youngster who still needs that security of knowing Mom loves him/her no matter what he does or where he is. A GREAT story!!

delightful book to reassure new preschoolers/kindergarteners
A joyous book to help any child feel better about going off to preschool or kindergarten--for the first time or just for the new school year. Bright, colorful, uncluttered illustrations and smooth effective prose show us little Owen Pig's worries (with wonderful facial expressions) and how his mother is able to reassure him that he is loved even when she is not there. My own four year old asked for repeated readings and loved every page. Enthusiastically recommended.

Feel good book without being sappy
The message in this book, "I love you all day long," was perfect for when my 2-year-old told me that she missed me when she was at daycare. The book helps give a framework for reminding your little one how much you love them without being overly emotional. It shows day-to-day activities that my daughter really related to, like snack time and going down the slide. And it's just a cute book. This is one of her most requested books, even after her separation stage has ended. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Wemberly the mouse worries about everything: big things, like whetherher parents might disappear in the middle of the night; little things, likewhether she'll spill grape juice on her toy rabbit, Petal; and things inbetween, like whether she might shrink in the bathtub. What she is more worriedabout than anything else, however, is her first day at the New Morning NurserySchool: "What if no one else has spots? What if no one else wears stripes? Whatif no one else brings a doll? What if the teacher is mean? What if the roomsmells bad?" Happily, Miss Peachum introduces her to a kindred spirit rightaway. Jewel doesn't have spots, but she is wearing stripes and holding adoll. As Wemberly plays with her new friend, she still worries, but no more thanusual. ("And sometimes even less.")

Kevin Henkes, well-loved creator of the award-winning Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse,gets to the heart of a child's feelings like no one else can. Young worrywarts(and their parents) will see themselves in Wemberly, and be relieved that she,too, worries about playground equipment ("Too rusty. Too loose. Too high."),sure-to-be-inhabited cracks in the wall, whether she will be the only butterflyin the Halloween parade, and, of course, whether school will be dreadful inevery way. Henkes's Lilly-style illustrations are sweet, expressive, and loadedwith funny, inventive details that invite close perusal with every reading.(Wemberly's roller-blading grandma, for example, is wearing a T-shirt that says"Go with the flow.") We're not worried about whether this book will become aclassic--it will! (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Henkes does is again
Wemberly Worried is the epic tale of Wemberly and her doll Petal. The adventure begins with our hero, Wemberly the mouse, and her array of pre-school worries. Wemberly worries about everything and anything despite her parents and grandmother's best efforts. The climax of the story is her first day of school her greatest worry yet. It concludes with her revalation when she meets her soulmate in Jewel and her partner in crime, Nibblet. Henkes' use of colors and humor in the illustrations make it a must have for any child. His use of font size emphasizes the magnittude of the worry. The story teaches a life lesson, that there is a friend out there for every child no matter how worried or different they are. This book is espically good if your child is a worrier and a mouse, yet, is still a great story for those human children out there. Henkes' use of dialoge outside of the story help the story devolope into the timeless classic Wemberly Worried. The most interesting is Wemberly's laid back roller blade wearing Grandmother who is known for her shirt with 'Go with the flow' written on the front. We look forward to Henkes' next ingenius work.

A Pleasure to read for both parent and child
Kevin Henkes is one of my daughters favorite authors, and I have to say, for the under 5 reading I have to do, he's one of mine too, especially after reading this book. I bought it especially because my daughter, like Wemberly, is very worried about starting her new school. When she heard Wemberly was worried about that, she said "I'm worried about that too, Mommy." Right then, I knew I had bought a great book. We read it over and over and it gives her great comfort to know that she is not the only child who worries. The best thing is Wemberly gets to school and makes a new friend. The experience is positive and all the things that she worried about did not happen. This is a great message for all kids (I think it's rare that a four year old child would not worry about certain things). Aside from a great message, the story has good humor and Henkes wonderful illustrations. I am so glad I got this book for my daughter, we read it at least 4 times before bed each night. Happy reading.

Adorable little worry wart
(...)Wemberly (a little girl mouse, despite the masculine sounding name) is a worrier. My oh my how she worries. It's amazing the girl can even get out of bed in the morning, she's so wracked with worries morning, noon, and night. She doesn't take the advice of her grandmother half as much as she should. Her grandmother (a sweatshirt wearing, roller-blade enjoying, high-tops sports shoe figure) is constantly advising Wemberly that she is carrying, "Too much worry". And on top of everything Wemberly is about to go to school for the first time. Rest assured that by the end of the tale, Wemberly's worries have at last been put to rest.(..)

I've always liked Kevin Henkes's portrayal of fathers in his picture books. I like his other characters as well, of course, but Henkes just has dad's down pat. Take a gander at the dad in "Wemberly Worried" for example. Here's a nice pot-bellied father mouse (usually seen in close conjunction with the mother mouse) wearing different colored vests and striped shirts. Be sure to spot the special Halloween bat vest he sports as well! He's great. And so is the book.

Fans of Henkes's other mouse based picture books won't be disappointed with this one. The clever child might even locate a disguised Lily and little brother Julius (two of Henkes's best creations) hidden in one the pages. This book is a good choice for the child that shows a little reluctance towards that first day of school. Though Lily finds her solution through a similar friend, there are other ways of dealing with scary times in school. Be sure to pair this book with other first-day-of-school stories for a well-rounded view of that undoubtedly worrying time.

Perfect for a child entering pre-school
Wemberly's grandma may be my favorite character in this book. Her flower child attitude is cute. Wemberly and her skepticism about the world around her is sweet and I think all little kids have some amount of caution about doing something new. As it turns out, Wemberly decides pre-school is great and it shows little ones that trying new things usually turns out wonderfully.

What's not to love?
Wemberly is every child (and every adult, for that matter) who has ever faced the First Day of School (or Camp, or Dance Lessons, or ....) Kevin Henkes knows children, and writes with a gentle humor that both entertains and reassures. A lovely book! ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

Is Froggy nervous about the first day of school? Well, just a little.First he has a terrible nightmare, dreaming that he almost misses the bus and shows up at school in his underwear. Then when he does wake up, he drops the milk just as he's about to pour some on his bowl of flies! Finally Froggy makes it out the door, leapfrogging the whole way, eager for all the challenges that await him in this comical, brightly illustrated tale of a daunting-but-rewarding first day at school.

Terrific for reading aloud,this is another winner in the Froggy series--including Froggy Gets Dressed, Froggy Learns to Swim, and Froggy Plays Soccer. Zip, zoop, zup are the sounds of Froggy getting dressed, and when he has to go somewhere, it's flop, flop, flop all the way. Our 5-year-old assistant reviewer had fun imitating Froggy and friends, shouting out "Frrrooggyy!" and "Wha-a-a-a-t?" at all the appropriate times. Kids will relate to the trials of the good-natured amphibian who makes lots of mistakes--he yells too loud, interrupts, and has trouble paying attention.With the support of his gentle teacher, however, he soon gets the hang of things. Before long, funny Froggy has the class, and the principal, laughing and singing along with him. All in all, he has a successful day--until he comes home to discover he's left his lunch box and cap at school! "Oh, Froggy. Will you ever learn?" said his mother. "That's why I'm going to school, Mom!" Froggy replies, with a big hop and a grin. (Ages 3 to 6) --Marianne Painter ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Froggy Goes to School
Froggy goes to School is about a young frog who goes to school for the first time. This book taught little kids not to be afraid to go to school and that school can be fun. The reading level is about 1st grade but is a good story to read to kids for a story time or bedtime. The book was funny and it was a joy to read and I hope every one has the chance to read this book in the future.

Froggy Goes to School
Froggy is a young frog that is exited to do anything. I think Froggy goes to School is a great story for little kids in their toddler years (mostly for ages 3-7). This story is about a young frog and his first day of school. Froggy wakes up one morning and finds that he was running late for the bus and he don't want to miss his first day so he runs out the door and then when he gets on the bus his friends start to laugh at him because... Froggy forgot to get dressed he was on the bus in his boxers and then when he got to school his teacher called his name and only it was not his teacher it was his father calling him to get dressed school was starting soon. It was all a dream "bubble bubble, Toot toot, Chicken, Airplane, Soldier." To find out what this has to do with Froggy's first day of school read this story it's a Darn Tooting good one. And remember read 20 minutes a day. Thank you for reading this review. Have a good day.

Froggy GoesTo School
The book Froggy Goes To School is a great childrens book. It is about the main character Froggy is having a dream that he showed up one day at school in his underwear. Then his is awoken by his dad. Froggy thought it was an actually day when it wasn't. After his dad wakes him up, he gets dressed and off to his first day of school he went.
If kids were to read this book, it would make them realize how much fun school really is. At school Froggy and his friends start to sing a song that goes a little something like this " Bubble bubble, toot toot. Chiken, Airplane, Soldier. " Then his teacher walks in and Froggy thinks he is going to get in trouble, but his principal starts to dance and sing right along with the rest of them. This book shows that going to school isn't as bad as kids make it out to be.
I would definitely recommend this book to any children who are not really interested in going to school.

It's Time For School and Froggy's On His Way.....
It's Froggy's first day of school and this ever enthusiastic little amphibian can't wait. He gets dressed, eats his flies and milk, catches the school bus and has no trouble finding his very own desk with his very own name on it. He's so thrilled to be able to read his name, the first word, he realizes, that he can read, that he reads it again and again, louder and louder and even louder, until his teacher informs him that he needs to keep his voice down and that it's time to be quiet and pay attention. But it's hard for him to sit still and listen and take turns, so hard, in fact that while looking out the window and day dreaming, he falls off his chair. His teacher gently reminds him to stay in his seat and that he'll be able to sit on the floor at circle time. When circle time finally arrives, Froggy has his moment. While telling the class about how he learned to swim during the summer, he starts to sing and dance, laugh and hop and pretty soon the whole class is "swimming" right along with him, including Mr Mugwort, the principal..... No one captures the essence of a busy little pre-schooler, with places to go, people to see and things to do, like Jonathan London. His funny, joyful text, full of energy, motion and silly sound effects is wonderfully depicted in Frank Remkiewicz's bright, bold, expressive artwork. Together, they show a successful first day of school, not perfect, but realistic and reassuring to youngsters getting ready for the big step. This story is just one in a delightful series of firsts and your kids will love each and every one of them. Froggy Goes To School is a winner and a good way to help prepare your children for all the fun that's ahead when school begins.

We love Froggy!
If you want a light-hearted look at the first day of school, this is the perfect book. Froggy, who as you might guess is a frog, is nervous about the first day of school. So nervous, in fact, that he lets his imagination carry him away. First he has the dreaded dream about running late on the first day of school, nearly missing the bus, and arriving only to realize he's running around in his underwear! When he really does get to school, he's thrilled to find his name tag on his table. "He liked his name. It was the first word he knew how to read. It was the only word he knew how to read. He read it aloud, louder and louder. Frrrooggyy." A little too loud, it turns out, as his teacher, Miss Witherspoon, kindly informs him that it's time to pay attention. Later, as he gazes out the window, he's so impressed by the falling leaves that he topples out of his chair. Miss Witherspoon tells him, "Kindly stay in your seat, dear. . .We'll sit on the floor at circle time." At circle time, Froggy shares how he learned how to swim over the summer. He soon has the whole class going through the motions -- even the principal joins in! When his parents ask about his first day of school, he proudly informs them that he taught the principal how to swim! As Frank Remkiewicz draws him, Froggy is just your average little boy who happens to be a frog. He may have webbed feet, but he covers them with sneakers. Froggy's face is a mirror of his emotions -- wide-eyed terror when he awakens from a bad dream, pink-tinged embarrassment when he notices the principal watching his "swimming lessons." ... Read more

Book Description

It's the first day of school, and Strawberry Shortcake is so excited! She puts on her favorite outfit, packs her backpack, and heads off to the Strawberryland School. Once there, Strawberry discovers that she has left something very important at home-her lunchbox! What will she do? Strawberry and her friends learn a valuable lesson about sharing. ... Read more

Book Description

Amber Brown is excited to be starting second grade-and a little nervous. She's worried that the new teacher might not be as nice as she hopes. Plus, Hannah Burton is going to be in her class, and Amber knows Hannah can be mean. But on the way to school with her best friend Justin, Amber makes a decision. She is going to be ready for whatever happens. And second grade had better be ready for Amber Brown! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sunny Patch School
Was the best place to go
To study the lessons
All bugs ought to know.
When the first day of school arrives, Little Miss Spider is almost besideherself with excitement. She gobbles her breakfast ("a fresh flower plate") andruns all the way to Sunny Patch School. But poor Miss Spider is in for a day offrustration. She can't seem to master the new lessons: dung digging, leafdrilling, stinging, or flying. As the day draws to a close, Miss Spider bemoansher lack of skills. Isn't there anything she can do well? We are all soonto find out...

David Kirk's bestselling Miss Spider series, including Miss Spider's Tea Party andMiss Spider's New Car,blasts the reader with brilliant splashes of color and quirky, bug-eyed (no,really!) insect characters. In this second adventure of the spinoff Little MissSpider series, Kirk's droll verses harmonize with the shiny, eye-catchingpaintings for a heartwarming tale, sure to be a favorite with Miss Spider'sever-increasing entourage of fans--especially those getting ready fortheir first day of school! (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (7)

a Delightful Tale
This story has made me a fan of David Kirk's work. The story is wonderful and teaches children a valuable lesson in self respect and being different, while showing that everyone is talented at something. You must never give up trying to find what your special talents are. Lil Miss Spider is excited about her first day of school, but when she arrives finds that there are many things that the other bugs can do, that she can't do well at all. At the end of the day she realizes how special she is when she courageously comes to the aid of another bug in trouble. She makes a gallant rescue and finally earns her gold star. "Our gifts, they are many: We hop, fly and crawl. But kindness," he (the principal) said, "Is the finest of all!" A perfect end to a brilliant children's story with unbelievably beautiful, bold illustrations. Your children won't be able to help themselves fall for the rhyming text as the story is brought to life with the pictures. This is a book that I delight in reading over and over again. One warning: The pages are gorgeous , but made on a thick, glossy paper. My daughter, who loves to put EVERYTHING in her mouth, got the nastiest paper cut on her lip. So now when I read it to her I give her a soft toy to keep her hands full. Ive purchased the board books as well, and those I put into heavy rotation. This is still my favorite, but will be better for her when she's a bit older.

Lots of fun for kids--and has a valuable lesson as well
The best word I can think of to describe David Kirk's illustrations is sunshiny. There is a buoyant, inherently happy quality to his work that goes so well with his simple Miss Spider series. Here, Miss Spider is excited to begin her first day at school, but gets more and more disappointed as the day goes on to discover that she isn't good at anything!

As one of her buddies gets stuck in a water spout, however, Miss Spider jumps right in without thinking and helps free the trapped bug. The school principal congratulates her warmly and reminds her that everyone--EVERYONE--has some sort of talent or skill that can be used to make the world a better place.

Lots of fun for little kids, and blessedly fun for parents as well--if only to marvel at the saturated colors and marvelous detail of Kirk's illustrations.

This book is a must-have for every child!
I received this book as a gift for my 4 month old daughter-we love it! The simple rhymes are easy to read and the bright, vivid pictures hold even the youngest child's interest. Little Miss Spider is a character any child can grow up with! I also love the fact that the book is practically indestructible-the pages don't tear or warp.

Caution:
Most excellent, oil painted illustrations and easygoing rhyme! Nice lesson in helping/kindness. Just misses the mark due to off-color (though true) reference to bugs in "dung"; children pay special interest--please at least spare us the detailed list of "students" with dung-related names!

Little Miss Spider...You've Got to Love Her
Poor Little Miss Spider, she was so excited about going to school that she woke up extra early, ate quickly and ran to Sunny Patch School so that she could be the first one there. But once her lessons began, she felt like a failure. She wasn't very good at hiding in trees, or chirping like crickets. She couldn't master drilling leaves with her tongue and digging in dung made her sick. And when she tried to fly, she fell flat on her nose. What a miserable first day of school. That is, until she heard a poor little bug cry out that he was stuck in a spout. Little Miss Spider knew just what to do. David Kirk has written a lovely and very gentle rhyming tale, that let's all youngsters know that everyone is special and talented in their own way. His spectacular, vibrant illustrations, compliment the story and will delight your kids with their rich color and big-eyed insects. A terrific picture book that's not to be missed and a heartwarming story kids will want to hear again and again. ... Read more

Book Description

It's the first day of fifth grade and Cam and Eric can't wait to meet their new teacher, Ms. Benson.But the school day is just beginning when two policemen come into their classroom and take Ms. Benson away! A teacher has been arrested? There must be some kind of mistake. . . . Will Cam be able to use her amazing photographic memory to solve this incredible first-day-of-school mystery? ... Read more

Book Description

Jeremiah and Amanda are fighting over toys in their kindergarten class.The teacher tells them, "Now, look!This is Kindergarten.We share everything."When Jeremiah and Amanda take their teacher's advice, the whole class is in for a hilarious surprise! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A "MUST HAVE" in every KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM!
This book is a "must have" for any Kindergarten teacher or a kindergartener. My students love to hear this story about sharing...over and over and over! I usually introduce it the first week of school when I am reviewing class rules and expectations. It is humourous, age appropriate,and a class favorite!

Wrong Message!
I read this book to my son for the first time today, and it will be the last. He is 4 years old and has shown me he is greatly affected by what I read to him in books. He has imitated words as well as actions from stories we have read together. Therefore, I'm careful as to what I expose him to at this young age. Maybe when he's older, he'll understand more about the world and know enough to realize when an author is writing in jest - but for now...I can just see him taking his clothes off in school because he wants to "share" them with another classmate!!!

I can hear the call from the principal now, "Your son was stark naked in class today - trying to get Mary to try on his shirt - and thinking the whole thing was funny!"

He's going to pick up enough actions that aren't appropriate on his own without me giving him more ideas through story time.

I wouldn't recommend this book for a child age Kindergarten or younger.

Munsch is the best!
As always, Robert Munsch books are fantastic!! I always buy several for my friends who are having babies so they'll know who the great kid book authors are. He really gets kids and kid's humor. And, the messages couldn't be any better - for boys, girls, black, white, gay, straight, whomever.

Another wierd/inappropriate book by Robert Munsch
I was horrified when I read "I Love You Forever"- another children's book by Mr. Munsch that results in a mother using a ladder to break into the house of her adult son to rock him in his sleep. Because my daughter liked the book, I taped all the wierd pages together to save the better parts of the story. Now here is another story where two kindergarteners end up taking off their clothes in class and everyone thinks it is funny! What is up with this guy? Serious issues with boundaries and appropriate social behavior. I will not be reading his books to my children anymore.

We Share Everything
This book is about two kids, a boy named Jeremiah and a girl named Amanda. It's their first day of kindergarten. At first they did't share anything. My favorite part is when Jeremiah tried what worked on his little brother. He screamed so loud that he could break a window. My other favorite part is when Amanda tried what worked on her older brother. She kicked over Jeremiah's tower. I think other kids my age and younger will like this book because it has great illustrations and funny events. It also has very easy words. Read to find out if they share at the end of the book. ... Read more