Review by Booklist Review
Ages 3^-5. It is Henry's first day of kindergarten, the day he's been waiting for all year, and he is so excited he almost forgets to get dressed, brush his teeth, and eat breakfast. All the way to school, he asks what it will be like, imagining all the fun he will have. But when he arrives, it is bigger than he pictured and a little overwhelming. He wants to go home. After getting a chance to acclimate and meet a new friend, he decides that kindergarten really will be fun. Carlson's story is perfect for parents to share with their children or for preschool story hour, and the endearing Henry will offer reassurance to even the most hesitant of prekindergartners. --Helen Rosenberg
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-When Henry wakes up on the first day of school and announces that he is ready for kindergarten, his mom gently reminds him of the things he needs to do to prepare: get washed, brush teeth, get dressed, eat a nutritious breakfast, and pack supplies. On the walk to school, mother and son discuss what Henry might expect during the course of his day. Since he has already done some of these activities at home, he is confident he'll do well. When he arrives and sees the new faces and surroundings, however, his confidence vanishes and he declares, "I want to go home." It is only after he makes a friend and finds some familiar objects that he decides to give kindergarten a conditional try. Carlson employs her familiar art style to depict Henry's mouse family and his fellow animal kindergartners in large, brightly colored cartoons placed about the text. When Henry imagines himself working at home or school, the illustrations have a rounded, thought-balloon outline. The classroom is a cheery, welcoming place, and the story will reassure youngsters who are both eager for and apprehensive about their first school experience. Pair this title with Joseph Slate's Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten (Dutton, 1996), which looks at preparations from the teacher's perspective.-Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community-Technical College, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Initially enthusiastic for his first day of kindergarten, young mouse Henry feels reluctant when he actually arrives at school. The reassuring text chronicles Henry's first-day-of-school activities; dressing, eating breakfast, meeting new friends, and deciding that kindergarten is going to be fun! are part of the sequence. Boldly colored illustrations humorously depict one family's foray into school life. From HORN BOOK Fall 1999, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Carlson brings her vibrant brand of encouragement to bear on the first day of kindergarten. Henry, a mouse, is rip-roaring ready to attend school; his mother has to restrain him from racing out the door before he has washed and brushed, had breakfast, and loaded his backpack. As he and his mother walk to school, Henry bubbles over with questions and guesses about the day's activities. When they arrive, however, Henry has a typical change of heart: ``I want to go home.'' With some heartening words from his teacher, Henry goes forth and engages the forces of trepidation and change, not as a superhero, but as one of the meek who knows he has to get on with it. Carlson's hero is just goofy enough to make her message suspicious; she could be telling readers that if he can do it, so can they. This book will make them relish the chance. (Picture book. 3-5)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
