Yoko, by Rosemary Wells

Wells, Rosemary. Yoko. Illustrated by Rosemary Wells. Hyperion Books for Children, 1998. 32 pages. $10.17, ISBN 0-7868-2345-3

AGE LEVEL
3 and 4 year-olds

GENRE
Picture book

REVIEW

Three-to-four year-olds who are about to start preschool or kindergarten will enjoy this story about Yoko, a kitten who unwittingly singles herself out by bringing to school that most mortifying of all classroom faux pas, a “weird” lunch.  Help comes in the form of a caring and creative teacher who steps in to remedy Yoko’s embarrassment by decreeing an international potluck day, with the aim of getting the class to try the youngster’s sushi and learn something about accepting and celebrating individual differences along the way.  But even this does not completely do the trick, with one more plot twist necessary to an eventual happy resolution and  a new friendship for Yoko.  The illustrations of Yoko and her puppy, raccoon, rabbit, and other furry classmates are adorable, painted in both bright and soft watercolors, marred only slightly by a bit of uneveness in the quality of the depictions of a couple animals.  The length of the text may be most appropriate for somewhat older children, but the vocabulary is not too complex nor the pacing too rapid for three-to-four year-olds to enjoy this charming and highly recommended book.

LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
After reading the story aloud, ask children to name or think about something special about themselves or their family.  3-4 year olds can draw simple self-portraits which include this special aspect.