From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-In a rhythmic text that piggybacks easily onto the traditional nursery rhyme tune, Hillenbrand describes the daunting first-day-of-school experiences of two shy little pigs. Unlike their classmates, who eagerly enter into the day's activities, these two hang back, longing for the safety of home. Crashing block towers, spilled paints, and other messes exacerbate their unhappiness, until finally both seek refuge under the mulberry bush. After discovering one another and sharing their concerns, companionship enables them to enjoy the rest of the day. While the story is predictable, Hillenbrand's pastel watercolors are engaging and include details that add both humor and interest. Pair this title with Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried (Greenwillow, 2000) for a comforting first-day storytime.
Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
PreS. The familiar tune traces a little pig child's first day of school--from fear to friends to fun. The piggie, with his red hat and backpack, admits he's scared. The way the other children dance into class and a series of mishaps--crashing a block tower and splashing himself during painting--don't help. But as the day progresses, he makes a friend, has high hopes for reading, and looks forward to a second day of school. The text, which can be read (or sung) to the beat of the song, doesn't always scan smoothly, but it does cover a lot of first-day events and emotions. Better is the child-friendly artwork, executed in fresh colors and featuring a diverse classroom that includes pigs of different colors as well as one in a wheel chair. Without being threatening, this is a realistic basis for first-day conversations.
Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
