Don't Forget I Love You, by Miriam Moss

Moss, Miriam. Don't Forget I Love You. Illustrated by Anna Currey. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2004. 32 pages. $15.99, ISBN 0-8037-2920-0

AGE LEVEL
3 and 4 year-olds
GENRE
Picture book 

REVIEW
Billy the bear is holding up his and his mother's departure for nursery school one morning because he keeps turning his attention to his stuffed rabbit doll, who of course has not been helping matters by hiding, refusing to eat his eggs, and buttoning his clothing wrong.  But finally Billy and his mom are off.  Unfortunately, Billy drops his lunchbox on the way, leading to Mama's placing of Rabbit in her bag for safe-keeping during the clean-up.  Dropping off Billy late at school, Mama accidentally leaves with the toy still in her bag and without remembering to say "I love you" to Billy.  The day at school just doesn't start off right for Billy, but suddenly the school door swings open and a welcome visitor appears.  This is an excellent story for 3 and 4 year olds, and will help them make the transition from home to preschool.  They will be reassured that their parents and caregivers always love them, and will always return.  This is also a nice reminder to both parents and children of the importance of telling your loved ones that you care.  Softly-edged watercolor paintings round out the story's charm.

Sumi's First Day of School Ever

Pak, Soyung. Sumi’s First Day of School Ever. Illustrated by Joung Un Kim. Viking, 2003. 32 pages. $15.99, ISBN 0-670-03522-X    

AGE LEVEL
3 and 4 year-olds

GENRE
Picture book

REVIEW
Sumi is a young Korean immigrant and it’s her first day of school in America. Her feeling of not knowing how to act in this new environment upon entering the classroom and an incident of teasing from a classmate at first lead her to believe that school is "scary" and "mean".  But her mood quickly improves based on kind treatment from her teacher and another classmate's interest in starting a friendship.  This book is a great choice for three and four year-olds who are hesitant about starting preschool or who have already had a bad experience and need encouragement.  The painted illustrations in washes of green, yellow, and blue are uncomplicated in style, yet convey Sumi's emotions well through facial expression and body posture.  The story is told in a matter of fact and easy-to-follow style, and the inclusion of Sumi's thoughts is a nice component.  Most children will identify with something in this very appealing book.

LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
Here is a simple getting-to-know-each-other song to sing after reading this book aloud at preschool storytime, and to start off subsequent storytimes:

          HERE WE SIT TOGETHER

          Here we sit together, together, together.
          Here we sit together, all here on the floor.
          There's _____ and _____ and _____ etc...   (each child says their name)
          Here we sit together, all here on the floor.

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.