Customer Reviews

Tom Goes to Kindergarten

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As a kindergarten teacher, I'm always looking for new books about starting school, and this one is definitely going to be a hit with my class. The characters are bears, but not the brown furry ones seen in most picture books ... Tom is a Panda, and his teacher is Mrs. Polar Bear. David Legge's watercolor illustrations are delightful and bright, and sure to hold children's attention, as will the plot itself.

Tom is really looking forward to beginning kindergarten, but on the first day of school he has that sudden moment of panic that many children have, and grabs his parents' legs. Mrs. Polar Bear invites the whole family to stay, and EVERYONE in Tom's family enjoys the first day of school. Mother, father, and baby LOVE the kindergarten activities -- especially making sailor hats. The next day everyone is a little sad that Tom is ready to say goodbye when he arrives at school. Mother and baby go home and play pirate, and father goes to work, where he closes his door and sings a sailor song before hurrying home to find out what Tom did on the second day of kindergarten.

This is a great book for parents to share at home with their children, to help soothe the minor worries most children have about starting school. In the classroom, this book will be the starting point for a discussion on expectations about school, and will help make children comfortable as they explore their new surroundings.

This is the story of a little boy about to start kindergarten. He is excited at first, but as his parents start to leave him at school he gets nervous and talks them into staying with him. The parents have an even better time at kindergarten than little Tom. The next day the parents want to stay at kindergarten because it is so much fun, but Tom tells them they need to go to work. The parents do leave and go to work, but have already learned a lesson about how fun and important playing is. I bought this book as a gift for my son who just started kindergarten. I think it helped ease some of his fears about starting school. It also reminded me that I need to take more time to play and not just get my work done.This is a wonderful book with beautiful illustrations.

This book is really adorable and not what you expect. The realistic-style illustrations of the Panda family and Mrs. Polar Bear make the goofy details (like Baby's stuffed human doll and the "All New Bamboo Cookbook") all the more funny and surprising.

Readers will love the sight of Mr. and Mrs. Panda singing "I'm a little teapot" and Mr. Panda wearing a sailor hat in his office.

This book is delightfully original, exuberant, and has a great subtle humor. Lots of fun!

I took this book out of the library to read to my 5 year old son who will be entering Kindergarten in September. My son has already begun to express some anxiety, so when I saw the title I thought I would bring it home. I had no idea that I would enjoy this book as much as my son...maybe even more. I have not laughed so hard in ages. My laughter made my son laugh, which set me off even more! What a charming, wonderful, inspiring story with the best illustrations around. What a find! I intend to buy lots of copies to share with friends!

Tom is a panda who loves to play with his baby sister and imagine he's a prince, astronaut or exploring far off places. Tom can't wait for the day that he's finally big enough to go to Kindergarten! When that morning finally comes Tom is excited! The whole family goes with Tom to his classroom and to meet his teacher! When Tom realizes his parents are leaving he grabs 1 leg of each of his parents.Tom's active imagination was hard at work! When he doesn't want them to leave,so when he asks if they can stay for the day his whole family does! Everyone has lots of fun!

I have to say this is a terrific book for those children who are not sure what Kindergarten really is or the type that have to know exactly what will go on during the day. The child's thoughts of I'll have to leave my mom all by herself with baby sister... what will they do without me? I spent 3 years volunteering at our local elementary school with 2 Kindergarten classes.I've seen the sepparation anxiety of BOTH parent & child on that very first day. And you know... if a parent really wanted to stay the 1st day, I bet the teacher would welcome the extra hands and help!

I just absolutely love that this book was illustrated using watercolors and that David Legge did an awesome job! There are many surprises tucked into this book like the Panda family has a panda teapot, I love the All New Bamboo Cookbook,and also that in Tom's room his clock is a panda and on his wall is a poster of Charlie Chapplin Panda! A terrific book for panda lovers and children getting ready to go to Kindergarten!

The visuals were great--soft colors, cute animals, but I did not like introducing the idea of hanging onto parents legs and having them stay in kindergarten and fully participate in the children's activities. It was an unrealistic expectation. Kindergarteners are now entering the real world of big school and should be made more aware of what they can truly expect. I found that to be true in "'Twas the Night Before Kindergarten" and "When You Go To Kindergarten". This may be a cute story for younger children but not as a preparation for real school.