Starting School

I bought this for my child who was about to enter preschool. She loved it.

This is a great book for a child nervous about (or excited about) starting school. The original book is British, which explains the references to saying a prayer in assembly and a Christmas nativity play (common in a British state school, unlike an American public school). Most of the experiences of the children, however, are similar to those in an American school. British children start school at age 4, so the children appear young, which makes the book work for an American kindergartner or one starting nursery school or day care. These authors are great - daily events are presented in a matter-of-fact, and yet charming, way! and we recommend their other books too!

Another sweet, adorable book from the Ahlbergs. I was looking for a book to prepare my son for preschool and could only find books that focused on the negatives (being nervous, being homesick). This book follows a group of 8 kids and shows all the fun that they have, casting school in a very positive light. I also liked that the children were ethnically diverse - although I was surprised to see several religious references (the kids pray in (the apparently public) school, and at the holidays put on a play about Jesus).

This book is a good book for little kids just starting school. It tells them what it will be like in school. My grandma gave me this book when I was going in to kindergarden. I injoyed it then and I still do now. It is still my favorit book.

The pictures are detailed and interesting, showing kids doing just about anything you could do in the early weeks of school---circle, outdoor play, lunch, reading, assembly and even fighting! The text takes you step by step from the first day of school to Christmas break. A note---this school seems like a private religious school, as the children do pray and put on a play about Baby Jesus. One annoying part is the repeated repetition of a whole list of children's names---I am not sure what the point of this is---each time they are referring to the group of children they list each of the nine names---tiring when reading aloud! But an enjoyable good and a good introduction to preschool or kindergarten.