It's always difficult to transition from a long lovely summer to a school routine, but parents who have children leaving for the first time, face a different challenge. The initial school adventure may create the confusing mix of excitement and fear for children and parents' first letting-go experience. There's lots of book support to be found in new releases, but parents should preread the books and choose only those which fit their child's situation. If child has no fear of school, or is not dealing with a problem like the I-Don't-Want-to-Leave-Home blues, you certainly don't want to introduce those concepts. If you see no apparent issues, choose a book that gives your child familiarity with his/her new environment and heightens joyous expectation. On the other hand, if a child is afraid, or uncomfortable, there are plenty of new fictional role models who can lead the way to a happy start, and ease the transition from home to school.
For preschoolers don't know what to expect, the best approach is to present them with a book that shows surroundings close to ones they'll be encountering. A book with lots of pictures will open the doors to communicating about the things you think they'll enjoy, drawing parallels to situations they know, and stressing the strengths they have.
Playschool's My Giant Preschool Lift-the-Flap Book (Dutton, $9.99; ages 2-4) does exactly that with over sixty-five lift-the-flaps that ingeniously pair learning with delightful preschool scenarios. While children open flaps, they can practice number recognition and counting, colors, shapes, opposites, and, best of all, watch an active bunch of children demonstrate the fun possible at preschool.
Sometimes school begins with a search. Checking out various settings seems particularly important for the small bear in Matt Novak's Jazzbo Goes to School (Hyperion, $12.99; ages 3-6). Jazzbo's the kind of child who has an answer for everything, is not entirely eager to leave home, and needs proof he'll like school. When his mom sets out to shop for a school, Jazzbo doesn't like the strict Grumpity School, or the out-of-control Willy Nilly School, but Super School is perfect. It even has a brilliant teacher who defers Jazzbo's "I do not need a school" with involving examples of how the reading, playing, laughing,singing and learning students need him! Because age is not specified, the book will work for kindergarten children as well as preschoolers. Both audiences will be happily persuaded by Novak's appealing illustrations and the idea that there's a perfect situation for every child.
Some preschoolers who can't wait for school to begin, only to suffer last minute fears imposed by another child. The hero of Maribeth Boelts' Little Bunny's Preschool Countdown (Albert Whitman, $6.95; ages 3-5), LB, is so tired of waiting that his parents prepare a special count down calendar for him. He puts an X through each passing day, impatiently marking the slow passage of time. When his second-grade cousin, Maxine, visits and introduces the thought of school apprehension, LB's thoughts turn to dread. He hides his calendar, buries his new book bag, and tries to put school out of his mind. When the first day arrives, LB drags and stalls his way to school until he drawn in by painting, books,clay, and new friends,. After a last reassurance and hug, he's good to go! Again, situations in this book aren't limited to preschoolers, unless your child can read and would be offended by the title. If your little bunny loves this adorable hero, let LB model the all-important school skill of sharing found in the recent paperback release of Little Bunny's Cool Tool Set (Whitman, $6.95)
Left-at-home siblings and preschoolers-to be will get a positive school orientation with Jacqueline Rogers' Tiptoe Into Kindergarten (Scholastic, $10.95; ages 2-4). A small girl accompanies her brother to kindergarten and sneaks into his classroom. Alone, she explores and beholds the glories of reading, writing, counting, and puzzles. She becomes very excited about her own future as a preschooler, before her toddler habit of napping overtakes her.
Nancy Poydar's First Day, Hooray! (Holiday House, $15.95; ages 4-7) is a perfect expression of the way school excitement builds and the mix of feelings everyone has. Ivy relishes getting a new lunch box and brand-new shoes, but she worries about missing the bus, forgetting her lunch, or getting lost. Her mother casually dismantles each fear and so does the book which gives the bigger picture of how the teachers, janitor, and the bus driver prepare for school. Like Ivy, all of them are working to quell their own apprehensions as the activity and tension levels mount . After a long last night, we watch the first day of school unfold, and good things come to all those who have waited so impatiently.
Nancy Carlson's Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! (Viking, $15.99; ages 4-6) gives a blow-by-blow account of Henry's first day. The exuberant mouse wakes with so much excitement he wants to run to school in his pajamas. But his mama carefully schools him about morning preparations like getting dressed, brushing teeth, eating a good breakfast, and packing up supplies. Their walk to school serves as an information session as Henry's Mama tells him of all the enjoyable activities he'll encounter, relating each to Henry's knowledge base. With matter-of-fact answers, she fields his anxieties about getting lost, or not knowing what to do. A first day wouldn't be complete without the jitters, and at the door, Henry balks. That's only until his teacher welcomes him into her classroom. As Henry checks out the familiar, and discovers new thrills, he concludes "I think I might stay for a while, Mom, because kindergarten is going to be fun." Carlson's colorful illustrations and endearing animal characters make the occasion as enticing as her comforting text.
Amy Hest's Baby Duck, a character familiar to many young children, stars in her fourth book, Off to School, Baby Duck! (Candlewick, $16.99; ages 3-6). Baby's got a bad case of nervousness on her first day of school. She can't eat or drink, and even though she loves her new school supplies, she's not motivated. Her worried parents begin a barrage of pep talks about school and sing cheerfully to jolly her along. The bolstering doesn't work and Baby Duck trudges and drags. Thankfully, Baby's Grampa Duck waits at school and he takes a different tack, acknowledging her fears, letting her demonstrates her strengths, and interviewing Baby's teacher. When Baby discovers her new teacher is not mean and likes books and jam sandwiches, she skips happily into school.
Linda Martin offers a rhythmic send-off in When Dinosaurs Go to School (Chronicle, $13.95; ages 4-6). There's a lot of indirect reassurance hidden in this lively picture book. First, the dinosaur characters pull in those who are more enthusiastic about ancient reptiles than starting school. Secondly, the characters give a little extra emotional distance for those who are timid about putting themselves in new situations. The rhythms are rollicking and the silly verses promote a cheer that's echoed in the bright illustrations which show smiling dinos having fun, doing the same things children relish The typical elements of a school day are all playfully described from riding the bus until, "Dinosaurs all say goodbye,/ and soon they're on their way,/But they'll be back tomorrow,/ for another fun-filled day!"
Catherine & Laurence Anholt tell the tender tale of a timid boy terrified of the bigness of his new venture in Billy and the Big New School (Whitman, $14.95; ages 3-6). Billy's fears grow as the time for school nears. His mother tells him, "you're just like a little bird who doesn't want to leave his nest." That makes sense to Billy who has a special relationship with birds "because he was small like them." He voices his uncertainties to his feathered friends and is calmed until one day he sees a small, grubby, dusty bird being picked on by others. Compassionately, Billy tends the small frightened sparrow until the day before school when he whispers, "You have to fly away. You have to learn to take care of yourself - like me."
School brings Billy computer, reading, and friends who care about him. On a day when a new school friend visits, Billy sees a sparrow who seems much like his bird buddy, but is bigger, braver, happier and, like himself, has lots of friends. The soft, carefully-detailed illustrations and gentle lyricism are a perfect parallel for the story of a boy whose warmth and kindness inspires caring in others.
And what about those young siblings left at home? Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard's When Will Sarah Come? (Greenwillow, $16.00; ages 2-4) is the lament of young Jonathan, a darling toddler who mourns the loss of big sister Sarah who's gone off to kindergarten. Grandmom, who stays with him, does her best to entertain him, but Jonathan only wants Sarah. Nothing satisfies him, not riding his red fire truck, watching tree trimmers, or blowing bubbles. Every sound and sight brings a memory of Sarah. Finally, he's rewarded with the sight of the big yellow bus approaching, Sarah running up the steps to him, and is completely renewed after a joyous fire truck romp with his beloved big sister. Howard's words are few and simple and she wisely uses toddler-type noises to picture the small boy's lonely play world. Photographs by Nina Crews sparkle with colors and emotions.