Customer Reviews

Kindergarten Diary

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4 star:		(1)
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I am a big fan of this author. Her books consistently show just how tuned in she is to the concerns and imaginations of children, and this book is no exception. The illustrations are fantastic. The kids are all friendly and cartoon-like, made in the author's trademark dark lines. She has also thrown in some real pictures to add to the fun. I love that the famous stick is shown in many pictures! All the kids are very expressive, from the kid who looks like he's falling asleep on the first day of school, to the girl who's sobbing, and the boy who's trying really hard not to.

It doesn't take Anna long to find out that the teacher isn't scary, they have their own playground, and they get to do homework like big kids! She learns the fun of sharing and makes a giant cow tower, changes her name to Anna from Annalina because it doesn't take so many letters, and learns how with enough practice she can get across those giant monkey bars. The illustrations of Anna's imaginings on the playground are particulary effective, and her picture of her small size compared to the giant first grader was particular poignant.

This book is loads of fun, with lots to enjoy while it sneaks in the message that Kindergarten is really going to be OK. Another great effort from this author and a big recommend for preschoolers and kindergartners.

My daughter started Kindergarten this fall and loves every minute of it! We discovered this book quite by accident at our local library and since then she has asked for it so often that I've decided to get our very own copy. Author/illustrator Antoinette Portis perfectly captures the anxieties of preschoolers about to begin kindergarten and goes on to illustrate how these kids cope with kindergarten - learning to play and share with friends, playground politics, being nice to each other, and making friends - all in all, the wonders and joys of kindergarten!

The main character is Annalina (who wisely decides to shorten her name to "Anna" until she learns how to spell her name in full!) and the story follows Anna's adventures in Room 2K, taught by nice Ms. Duffy. Anna befriends David M. and Zoe and the trio become great friends. It's fun to read about Anna's exploits, including her attempts to look perfect for picture day at school, which don't quite turn out the way she wants.

This story really captures the kindergarten experience as can be attested to by my daughter. It is a wonderful prep book for anxious preschoolers about to take that big leap into formal schooling. Recommended!

The reader gets to spend a month with Annalina, a young girl who does NOT want to go to Kindergarten. She only likes Pre-school. What makes this book different many other books about the anxiety of starting school is that the author doesn't spend a great deal of time focusing on Annalina's fears. This can often give young readers things to fear that they had not thought of before. Rather, the author focuses on the day to day activities in Kindergarten. As Annalina learns that the teacher isn't scary, that Kindergarteners have their own playground, that sharing can be fun and that nice things happen every day, the reader has moved with Annalina from being apprehensive about Kindergarten to liking Kindergarten and even looking forward to First Grade. The background for each page resembles the paper children use to practice their first writing white with widely spaced, light blue straight and dotted lines. Realistic and kid friendly patterned collages are combined with simple paintings/drawings to create delightful colorful illustrations full of shape, color and texture. This is an excellent book for children (and parents) just starting Kindergarten. I wish I had found this gem at the beginning of the school year.

Reading level ages 4 to 8. (Preschool - K)

Antoinette Portis begins all of her work from inside a character who is anchored in wonder about her world. This authentic voice leads us into an experience so that the wonder, in this particular book, about Kindergarten, becomes real to the reader even if the reader can't remember a darn thing about childhood. We go there again and with MS. POrtis' help, get to explore and understand the very essence of the story---which is that an undaunted, playful spirit can overcome the pangs of nervous anticipation. How true that is!

this was a book for my granddaughter. She like it but she is a very smart girl and grew a little tired of it, but still likes to read it.

Antoinette Portis must have the soul of a five-year old -- else how could she depict the anxieties and the joys of the first days of kindergarten with such spot-on perfection? The illustrations are bright, inviting and have fun details to discover in follow-up readings (which there will be.) The story is honest but reassuring and again shows Portis' trademark insight into children's hearts and minds.
(The monkey bar sequences are especially fun and memorable.) Kindergarten Diary will have pre-schoolers looking forward to the adventures of kindergarten. Sweet, wise and earnest; a must-have for the pre-K crowd (and their parents.)