School has just started for young and old and books play an important part in starting off the new year in a positive way! "If You Take A Mouse To School", by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond, is a perfect picture book to help children who are entering school for the first time get an idea of the schedule of a day in school. It's also very funny so there will be much to enjoy while reading aloud this outstanding book to your youngster. It's what I call an "add-on" story line. It begins with, "If you take a mouse to school, he'll ask you for your lunchbox. When you give him your lunchbox, he'll want a sandwich - and a snack for later. Then he'll need a notebook and some pencils." And on and on, so that the story leads the reader throughout the entire day at school. There are humorous mishaps with this cute little mouse when he tries a science experiment that turns very messy. You find him on top of the faucet as he cleans his whiskers in the mirror while purple sludge is everywhere else in the bathroom. But you will find yourself looking forward to seeing what the mouse is doing on every page. Even though this little creature never utters a word, you will find yourself looking forward to each page to see what antics he's now involved in. When the boy is running to catch the school bus, the little mouse is inside of the partially opened backpack and you see him throwing and playing with a yo-yo. When he writes his own little book, he looks so proud as he holds it up to look at the cover. Ms. Bond, the illustrator, has done an exceptional job drawing all the adventures as well as capturing the mouse while he's in action throughout the book. Both the author and illustrator have collaborated on several books of this nature, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie", "If You Take A Mouse To The Movies", "If You Give A Pig A Pancake", and "If You Give A Moose A Muffin". Clearly, they have a working and winning combination because once again they've hit the mark. This book is not only great for children new to school, but other 4 to 8 year olds will relate to and thoroughly enjoy this unique day at school.
Tomie DePaola has written another outstanding chapter book, "What A Year". This is the fourth book in his 26 Fairmount Avenue series. His first book in this series, "26 Fairmount Avenue" won the Newbery Honor Award. This new book has all of the ingredients of an award winning book as well.
The series is about Mr. DePaola as a young child. "What A Year" is about his first grade experience from the beginning of school through New Year's Eve. He is very excited because his birthday is in September and he can't wait for his party at school. Mr. DePaola has mastered the art of writing a very interesting story filled with excitement and heart, one that children everywhere will enjoy. But he's also mastered the art of placing non-fiction throughout this entire book which makes it an outstanding historical fiction for a chapter book. He has sprinkled facts of what life was like in l940 and I found myself reflecting how some things have greatly changed since then and how some things haven't changed much at all.
For instance, he talks about his breakfast of two shredded-wheat biscuits. His mother fixed this by sprinkling sugar on top and then pouring hot milk in the bowl. He opens a few of his presents and children will notice immediately how modern day toys have drastically changed. Tomie received a kazoo, a bag of marbles, and a box of pick-up sticks. Children will be able to compare and contrast his first grade schedule with their schedule as he writes about what happens during his day at school. His lunch is different from our modern cafeteria lunches in school. The teacher dismisses her class at mid-day and they leave the school to go home to eat their lunch. During lunch, Tomie's mom turns on the radio so that they can listen to the short 15 minute programs that are on radio.
The book takes you through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and ends with New Year's Eve. He's also illustrated, in his magical way, pictures that are scattered throughout the book. (The picture of the shredded-wheat box that he drew is not the same shape of modern day cereal boxes. It's long and rectangular instead of tall and square.) Children will be able to compare and contrast Mr. DePaola's experiences over 60 years ago with today in the life of a child.
Chapter books are written for children who are learning to read and are making the transition from picture books to books with more text and less pictures. Mr. DePaola's series of "26 Fairmount Avenue" is geared for children who have already made this transition as there are many more words in the text than beginning chapter books. This book is loaded with insights and revelations as well as anticipation of little Tomie and what his 6th year of life will be like.