Ready, Set, School!
Jacquelyn Mitchard, Paul Ratz de Tagyos
Paperback
(Scholastic, March 15, 2007)
Mitchard folds a child's school fears into a larger story about separation anxiety. Little raccoon Rory is terrified to spend the night at his cousins' home while his parents are at a party. He hides and complains, but after reassurance and coaxing, he enjoys himself. A week later, when school starts, he's ready to spend the day without his parents, and this time, it's Mom and Dad who feel clingy and nervous. The story unrolls at a leisurely pace, and there are heavy messages about finding the courage to try new things. What feels fresh are the whimsical details of the raccoon world-the school curriculum (centering around evading garage doors opening gates), the nocturnal schedule that lets raccoon kits play all night-all amusingly captured in the colorful, clean-lined artwork. The gentle story, with its final twist about parents' fears, will comfort many nervous new students. Engberg, Gillian
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