Bernard Goes to School [School & Library Binding]

Joan Elizabeth Goodman (Author), Dominic Catalano (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

Until he makes a new friend, Bernard the elephant doesn't want to stay on his first day of preschool, but his parents and grandmother don't want to leave when they discover how much fun school can be.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reS-Once again, the recalcitrant elephant from Bernard's Bath (Boyds Mills, 2000) faces what he considers an unpleasant situation: starting nursery school. His adoring parents and grandmother accompany him on the first day and soon become enthralled with blocks, paints, and doll tea parties. Bernard stands alone, demanding to go home. The understanding teacher suggests he might like to feed the fish. He agrees unenthusiastically but soon becomes involved, especially after a girl comes to help name the creatures. Shortly thereafter, Bernard again says that it's time to go home, but this time he means that he's ready for his family to leave. The anthropomorphic elephants, the females distinguished by jeweled headbands, are depicted in fantastic colors of purple, orange, green, gold, and teal. In varied perspectives, the pictures flow vigorously across one and a half pages and incorporate the large, well-spaced type. With a lively, conversational text, humor, a simple plot, and a positive resolution, the book reassuringly addresses the common problem of adjustment to preschool.

Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 2-5. Young children going to preschool or kindergarten for the first time will identify with Bernard, the elephant who feels ambivalent about the whole scene. His expressive face covers feelings from fear to curiosity to embarrassment, and finally pleasure. When Mama and Papa and Grandma take Bernard to school and meet his new teacher, Miss Brody, they are reluctant to leave. The adults immediately begin playing with blocks, dolls, and dress-up clothes. In these scenes, Bernard is often pictured on the edge of the illustration or even outside its border. But then, the sensitive Miss Brody asks Bernard to help her feed the fish, and he begins to feel comfortable enough to make a new friend. That gives Catalano the cue to allow Bernard a more central position in the pictures. This bright, comforting book will be good to share with a shy or nervous youngster heading off to school. Kathy Broderick
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Pr; 1st edition (July 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563979586
• ISBN-13: 978-1563979583
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,747,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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