Back Catalog Posts: Lenny Goes to Nursery School by Ken Wilson-Max

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Lenny Goes to Nursery School by Ken Wilson-Max #ownvoices (2013)

by Mary K.

In this British import Lenny goes to nursery school for the first time.  On the way, he sees another girl whose colorful dress he admires. She turns out to be a classmate, Lucy, and at school Lucy and Lenny sing songs, draw pictures, have juice, and enjoy tricycle races with their diverse classmates and teacher. Only a slight frown when mom leaves hints at Lenny's nervousness. The brightly-colored illustrations are just right for still-developing vision, and the simple plot will be relatable for most young children learning about what to expect when they begin school.

Themes/topics: school, preschool, separation, friends

Sample text from two spreads:

Mummy says, "Bye bye, Lenny. See you later." Lenny frowns and waves a little wave.

Lucy takes Lenny's hand. "Let's play," she says.

Phoebe Sounds It Out

Phoebe Sounds It Out by Julie Zwillich illustrated by Denise Holmes (2017)

I love when a book surprises me. I expected this book to be a bit didactic, or at the very least follow the proscribed path of struggle, positive attitude, success/belief in self, but instead it allows Phoebe to just...be. It doesn't need to connect the dots for the readers, and I love that. Today at school the children are practicing writing their names, but Phoebe's name doesn't match the letters and sounds she has learned. After procrastinating and goofing off a bit, Phoebe gives it her best shot. Instead of telling readers what it should be, or having Phoebe learn a Lesson, her "Feeby" is simply accepted and praised by her teacher, "What a great start."  A perfectly encouraging and sweet story that makes a perfect tie-in for any name-writing activity.

Themes/topics: school, writing, names, individuality, phonics

Sample text from three spreads:

Phoebe had seen her name before. Mama had even stitched it on her ladybug backpack. But it started with a "P" and a had a whole lot of other letters that didn't make sense. Phoebe figured her mother had made a mistake. She didn't want Mama to feel bad about it, because everyone makes mistakes, even mamas. 

Phoebe put down her pencil and picked up another one. Then she held it under her nose and pretended it was a moustache. Ms. April was floating around the table singing quietly, "Just sound it out." 

Phoebe sounded out the first letter of her name. "Fffff." This was certainly not her her name began on her backpack. P was for popcorn and pencils. She knew the letter that made the right sound: one line and two sticks.  

Priscilla Gorilla by Barbara Bottner and Michael Emberley

Priscilla Gorilla by Barbara Bottner and Michael Emberley (2017)

Fans of “Miss Brooks Loves Books” won’t be disappointed with Priscilla, a similarly spirited youngster who clashes with her teacher over her exuberant love of gorillas. Certain that gorillas get their way, Priscilla resists following instructions in her class, and keeps ending up in the “Thinking corner.” A great read for class visits and older storytime groups, Priscilla learns her lesson, but inspires others as well.

Themes/topics: being yourself, behavior, school, gorillas

Sample text from one spread:

“Why do you love gorillas so much?” Her mother asked.

“They always get their way,” said Priscilla.

“Hmmm,” said her mother. “You already get your way a lot.”

“Not in Mr. Todd’s class. I was teaching lily my gorilla dance during nap time and Mr. Todd invited me to the Thinking Corner,” Priscilla explained.

“Did you do any thinking?”

“I was thinking how I don’t like the Thinking Corner.

August Round Up

All the titles and authors are listed at the end of this post--enjoy!

City Shapes by Diana Murray illustrated by Bryan Collier

City Shapes by Diana Murray illustrated by Bryan Collier

Storytime gold! This is a nearly perfect storytime book--it has a pleasing rhyme scheme, gorgeous illustrations, isn't too wordy, and will work with a variety of themes. The way the text interacts with the pages turns is particularly savvy, creating just the right amount of space for audiences to practice predictive rhyming and shape recognition.

Themes/Topics: Shapes, City, Birds, Home, Community

Sample text from the first three spreads:
"A pigeon takes flight through the bright cityscape, exploring the scenery...SHAPE after SHAPE. 
The city is bursting with SHAPES of each kind. And if you look closely, who knows what you'll find!

A truck rumbling by to deliver the mail, a silvery cart with hot pretzels for sale, and stacks of brown packages hauled up the stairs...

Some SHAPES in the city are... on-the-go SQUARES."

Princess! Fairy! Ballerina! by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Princess! Fairy! Ballerina! by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Three friends, two white and one black, play together on a rainy day, but disagree on what to play, with each one advocating strongly for her preferred game--Princess, Fairy, or Ballerina. After the expected fight, the lure of puddle jumping unites them once again. A fairly typical friendship story, but all three girls are equals, and with charming illustrations and a glittery cover, this is an appealing take on the familiar plot.

Themes/Topics: Friendship, Behavior, Rain, Imagination

Each girl's speech is printed in her signature color to indicate who is speaking:
"We shall play princess! Because princesses are royal, and that means they get to survey their royal domains, / and make the royal rules, and of course, ride the royal unicorns. 
You always want to play princess. 
Please call me Your Majesty. 
Shh, I have two words for you--Fairy. Dust."

Mira Forecasts the Future by Kell Andrews illustrated by Lissy Marlin

Mira Forecasts the Future by Kell Andrews illustrated by Lissy Marlin

Mira, who has light brown skin, dark brown hair, and golden brown eyes, is the daughter of a famous fortune teller who works on the boardwalk. Unfortunately, Mira doesn't share her mother's talent for predicting the future--until she turns her attention to the science of forecasting the weather, that is. I was excited about this one from the cover, but was taken aback by the 'gypsy' attire worn by Mira's mother. I haven't seen any critical reviews, however, so am including this title with reservation. This is a longer story, but might be a fit for a STEM storytime working with older kids.

Themes/Topics: Weather, Science, STEM, Storms

"Mira was about to say she couldn't predict the future. But then.../ she saw the wind gently whirring the blades of her pinwheel and fluttering the streamers on her windsock. She felt the warm air and the hot sun on her skin. She studied the clouds that were whiter and fluffier than cotton candy." 

My Little Sister and Me story and pictures by Maple Lam

My Little Sister and Me story and pictures by Maple Lam

And older boy has the responsibility of walking his sister home from school for the first time. At first he is frustrated by her short-attention span and constant distractions, but when a thunderstorm develops scaring both of them and causing little sister to run and fall into a puddle, big brother comes to the rescue. In the end, they make it home to a proud mama, and both siblings have new appreciation for each other. This is a sweet sibling story with 'first day of school' tie-ins, making it a refreshingly different addition to school themed storytimes.

Themes/Topics: School, Storms, Siblings, Bravery

Sample of the first two pages of text:
For the very first time, Mom asks me to take my little sister home from the bus stop--all by myself!

She bounces and hops and sings a song she learned from school, "Take me home...country roads..."
I don't even know the song. Maybe she is singing it wrong.

Excellent Ed by Stacy McAnulty illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach

Excellent Ed by Stacy McAnulty illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach

Utterly charming. Ed, the family dog, worries that he isn't excellent at anything, unlike the five kids in his family, who are all excellent at something. He worries that this is why he isn't allowed to do things the others are allowed to do, like eat at the table, ride in the van, sit in the couch, and use the indoor bathroom. He tries to figure out what he's excellent at, but is bested every time by one of the children. I don't want to ruin the delight of reading this book the first time, but I'll just say that Ed does indeed figure out what he's best at and how that ties into the things he's not allowed to do--well, most of them. I kind of can't even with how much I love this book.

Themes/Topics: Dogs, family, belonging, humor

Sample text:
Just then, Ernie dropped half of his peanut butter sandwich. Ed gobbled it up. "Wow, Ed! You are excellent at cleaning the floor," Ernie said.
'Yes, I am an excellent floor cleaner [thought Ed]. Maybe that's why I don't eat at the table'

A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson illustrated by David Robert

A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson illustrated by David Roberts

If you enjoy reading Bob Shea or Jon Klassen books in storytime, this is likely to be a good choice for you! The narrator is addressing a small child who is decked out for some serious hiking, trying to impress upon them the importance of taking bears seriously. The narrator gets carried away with bear facts that belie what is actually happening to our hapless hiker, who ends up needing to fend for themself when not one but TWO threatening bears show up. An underwear joke and the the opportunity to interpret an ambiguous ending round out this fun story.

Themes/Topics: Bears, Camping, Hiking, Outdoors, Humor, Stuffed Animals

Text sample from an interior spread:
Black bears are dangerous and BLACK. Brown bears are dangerous and BROWN. 
Although sometimes brown bears can be a little BLACK.  
...and black bears can be a little BROWN. 
Don't worry. 
Chances are you won't even SEE a bear. 

City Shapes by Diana Murray illustrated by Bryan Collier
Princess! Fairy! Ballerina! by Bethanie Deeney Murguia
Mira Forecasts the Future by Kell Andrews illustrated by Lissy Marlin
My Little Sister and Me story and pictures by Maple Lam
Excellent Ed by Stacy McAnulty illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach
A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting by Michelle Robinson illustrated by David Roberts