First Day of School

August 1, 2005
K-Gr 2 -Michael and his dog do everything together, from playing catch to taking baths. Naturally, Michael just assumes Cookie will accompany him throughout his first day at Robin Hill School, but his mother tells him otherwise. Michael is crushed until his sympathetic teacher comments, -If Cookie came to school -& she would belong to everyone. - Michael, unsure that he wants to share his pup, sends the animal home with his mother. And that is where she is when he gets home, waiting to greet her special owner. This beginning reader has short sentences, picture clues, and ample white space. But more than that, it tells a real story to which children will relate. The cartoon illustrations show the boy's sadness and joy quite well, and young children will take delight in reading this easy story on their own." -Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2005
K-Gr. 2. This touching Ready-to-Read story explores how things change when a child leaves home to start school. Michael is excited about starting first grade, but it is only when he gets to the classroom that he realizes that Cookie, his beloved puppy and constant companion, can't stay with him. The kind teacher says that Cookie can come to school, live on the playground, and belong to everyone at school. But Michael realizes that he would rather have Cookie waiting for him when he gets home. The clear, simple words and exuberant line-and-watercolor pictures show the physical bond between the child and his pet, always together, even in the bath. Kids starting school will recognize the truth about how big the change will be--how hard it is to let go of old routines as well as the joy of returning home to a loving welcome. Pair this with Andrew Clement's " Slippers at School" (above) for another sweet story about pet pals.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2006
In "School", first-grader Michael realizes that as much as he loves his dog, she's better off at home than with him at school. In "Thanksgiving", a fire alarm goes off while Mrs. Connor's first graders are wearing their Thanksgiving costumes. Illustrated with lightly humorous art, these simple, appealing stories starring Mrs. Connor's students are just right for new readers.

(Copyright 2006 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)