Description: Each soon-to-be-first-grader has different expectations and different worries, as does their teacher, their principal, even the bus driver. This unique alphabet book gives voice to everyone in the classroom. Full color.

more

Children's Literature Review: Right from the first glimpse of the front cover, the reader is prepared to board the yellow school bus and discover what awaits the riders at the end of their journey. Using the alphabet as a vehicle to introduce the children (portrayed as a variety of animals) and some of the staff by name, Borden relates the thoughts of both the children and the adults beginning a new year at Elm School. Many of the first-graders-to-be express delight at the prospect of "zillions of books to read," becoming "math magicians," using lots of new "first grade artist" supplies and (of course) "lunch treats." Others reflect on the newness and possible distress of the first day of first grade: Ignacio is new to America and will need help with his English, Ramon needs the help of his big sister to remember his right from his left, Whit is full of questions about how things will work differently from kindergarten, and Yoshi thinks it would be better to go to "first grade tomorrow." In each tiny vignette, the ...

See All Critics' Reviews