Picture Books About Starting School

Look Out Kindergarten and I Am Too Absolutely Small for School

Sep 4, 2009

Nancy Carlson's mouse Henry and Lauren Child's duo Charlie and Lola address children's anxiety about starting school.

The idea of starting school can be both exciting and anxiety creating for many children. Meeting the teacher, visiting the classroom and talking about school can all help reluctant children feel more at ease on the first day of school. Books like Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come and I Am Too Absolutely Small for School are also great tools to help children start school with eagerness and confidence.

Accomplished American writer and illustrator Nancy Carlson prepares readers for the first day of school through a day in the life of Henry the Mouse. Henry wakes up and jumps with glee – it’s the first day of kindergarten. Before he can go to school, however, he must groom himself and dress, eat breakfast and pack his school bag.

He walks with his mother and younger sibling to school all the while asking his mother what he will do in kindergarten. Bright pictures illustrate his queries as well as his mother’s descriptions of school. Henry is overwhelmed by the school building and becomes scared, but he is convinced to “look around.” After seeing the classroom, its decorations and books and meeting a new friend, Henry decides to stay “because kindergarten is going to be fun!”

English writer and illustrator Lauren Child addresses the issue of starting school with her brother and sister duo Charlie and Lola. Charlie narrates the story of his discussions with Lola about school. She has many excuses for not wanting or needing to go to school and Charlie has many good questions that challenge Lola’s thinking.

Once Lola becomes convinced of the need for school – reading to ogres, counting elephants and writing to Santa Claus – she finds more reasons not to go to school. Charlie listens to her concerns and patiently counters back with facts and encouragement. Lola finally heads to school and ends up having a great time.

Similar to Asap Productions' song "Here we Go," Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come is a thorough look at a single day. It is sure to help prepare children for the exciting and nervous event that is the first day of kindergarten. The drawings are colourful depictions of the text and provide ample opportunities for parents and children to discuss Henry’s first day experience. The text is succinct and simple yet engages readers starting prekindergarten and kindergarten.

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School is a humorous tale about two funky kids and the reluctance of starting school. It is also an endearing story about a big brother's concern for his little sister. The concept of an imaginary friend is also introduced. There is much in the text for children to discuss with their parents. The fun illustrations also open the door to dialogue

Details About the Books

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