Back to School 2008!
Categories: Children's Books
In two posts last fall, found here and here, I detailed great reads for kids (or parents) facing the day they have dreamed of/dreaded all summer- the first day of school. As we once again approach the time of year when some dream of bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils, let’s take a look at what’s new in the back to school genre.
Jake Starts School by Michael Wright
In this tongue-in-cheek sequel to Jake Stays Awake (2002), Jake starts first grade, but when his parents try to leave, he wraps himself around their knees and refuses to let go. After unsuccessful attempts to pry him off, the parents reluctantly stay for the start of class. Stuck to his parents in various awkward positions, Jake misses all of the fun, including finger painting, recess, and feeding the class pets, until his teacher finds a way to loosen him up. Images of Jake and his parents squeezing onto a tricycle or climbing a jungle gym are guaranteed to generate laughs. This funny selection will easily transform first-day jitters into giggles.
Yoko Writes Her Name by Rosemary Wells
The endearing kitten introduced in Yoko (1998) and Yoko's Paper Cranes (2001) returns in this lovely story illustrating the challenges facing young children who are bridging two cultures. When Yoko writes her name in Japanese instead of English, two classmates mock her and gleefully predict she won’t graduate from kindergarten. Despite stars from her teacher, comforting words from her mother and help from her friend, Yoko hides under a table until she is discovered by Angelo, who wants to learn how to write Japanese. In return, he shows her how to write her name in ABCs. Soon the entire class is learning how to write Japanese words. Heartwarming and reassuring for any student who copes with being different.
Off to First Grade by Louise Borden
Mrs. Miller's 23 incoming first graders—plus the principal, bus driver, and the teacher herself—tell readers what they look forward to on the first day of school. The animal characters have snapshots taken, enjoy riding the bus and having new school supplies, can't wait to play sports, and are encouraged by grandparents, parents, and older siblings. Cincinnati’s own Louise Borden's free-verse poems take the voices of each character in turn, gracefully drawing 26 distinct characters, most eager but a few somewhat apprehensive. Delightful.
School Fever by Brod Bragert
Bagert follows Giant Children (2002) with another picture-book collection of raucous poetry focused, this time, on a school theme. The book begins with "School Fever," when the narrator claims that he has to stay home due to a computer virus and concludes with the end of the school year as he looks back on all that he has learned.
Go Home, Mrs. Beekman! by Ann Redisch Stampler
In a hilarious reversal of the starting-school panic, Emily Beekman makes her mother promise to stay with her in her preschool classroom, but when Mrs. Beekman does stay and stay, Emily cannot get rid of the hovering, embarrassing, silly grown-up. The story's fun is in the details, comic scenarios show the Emily enjoying the day, still Mommy will not go home and her appearances in class are increasingly wild: she dresses up in a big green dog suit, pretends to be a coat rack, and even dangles from a helicopter over the playground. Filled with humor and love.
You Can’t Go to School Naked by Dianne Billstrom
When the unnamed protagonist refuses to wear clothes because he doesn't like them, his parents spend the rest of the story trying to convince him why he needs them. Unpleasant but hilarious scenarios ensue describing what would happen if he went nude—no pockets for stuff, freezing in winter, the pain of stealing second base, etc. After considering all the arguments, the boy decides that if he must wear something, then he'll choose his own outfit, and off he goes dressed as a superhero, cape and all!
Butterflies in My Stomach and Other School Hazards by Serge Bloch
Taking metaphors literally is always fun. Bloch's drawings do a great job of juxtaposing fact and feeling in the wry scenarios that illustrate the literal meaning of common sayings. In one scene, a young boy has ants in his pants and is laughing his head off, even as the teacher tells him to zip his lip. Whether beginning preschool for the first time or returning to grade school after vacation, readers will recognize the panic and the fantasy of being top banana, the joy of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, the need to bottle up your feelings, and the nurse who keeps an eye out.
