The King of Kindergarten

June 1, 2019
Newbery honoree Barnes (Crown, illustrated by Gordon C. James, 2017) shows a black boy what to expect on his first day as "king" of kindergarten. A young boy greets the reader with a sweet smile. "The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets. / It sits and shines behind your head--like a crown." The text continues in second person while the boy gets ready for his first day--brushing "Ye Royal Chiclets," dressing himself, eating breakfast with his mother and father before riding "a big yellow carriage" to "a grand fortress." The kind teacher and the other children at his table are as eager to meet him as he is to meet them. Important topics are covered in class ("shapes, the alphabet, and the never-ending mystery of numbers"), but playing at recess and sharing with new friends at lunch are highlights too, followed by rest time and music. The playful illustrations use texture and shadow to great effect, with vibrant colors and dynamic shapes and lines sustaining readers' interest on every page. Text and visuals work together beautifully to generate excitement and confidence in children getting ready to enter kindergarten. The little king's smiling brown face is refreshing and heartwarming. The other children and parents are a mix of races; the teacher and staff are mostly brown. Necessary nourishment, infectiously joyous. (Picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from June 24, 2019
When a mother gives her son the titular nickname, it inspires him throughout his first day of school—the child imagines that a chalk-drawn crown is sitting on his head as he walks through the “towering doors” of the “grand fortress” and into his “Kindergarten Kingdom.” It’s a day filled with new friends, “a royal rest” (nap time), and acts of noblesse oblige (the boy shares an extra pudding cup with a dessert-less classmate). And when the teacher goes through all the classroom rules and the work ahead, Barnes (Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut) writes, “It sounds like a lot, but you’re the King of Kindergarten. Piece. Of. Cake.” Affirming text and energizing drawings by Brantley-Newton (Grandma’s Purse), which skillfully balance bright colors, patterns, and textures, should put a spring in the step of any reluctant kindergartner: who wouldn’t want to be thought of as “the charming, the wonderful and the kind” class sovereign? Ages 3–6.

Starred review from August 1, 2019

PreS-K-Joyful and empowering, this picture book celebrates the first day of kindergarten. A child wakes up on his first day of school with the knowledge that he is going to be the King of Kindergarten. On this special morning, everything takes on a royal shine, from brushing teeth to pulling on pants. Right after breakfast he's off for a ride on a "big yellow carriage" to school where he meets his fellow students with typical royal grace and charm. With the introduction of each part of this brand new day comes the assurance that nothing is too difficult for the King of Kindergarten. The vibrant and cheerful hand-drawn and digital illustrations feature a diverse classroom of children all helping one another. The text leads readers through a typical first day of school with lots of emphasis on being a kind and brave classmate and ruler. The young protagonist is backlit by a crown of a rising sun on several spreads; on others his imagined crown is seen reflected in windows or in chalk outlines on the ground. This marvelous story will give each reader an opportunity to see themselves as "the charming, the wonderful, and the kind King of Kindergarten." VERDICT Perfect for storytime or one-on-one readings, this book is an absolute first purchase.-Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library, RI

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2019
Preschool-K This upbeat picture book follows an African American boy through his first day of school, from waking up in the morning to riding the school bus home. Taking hold of his mother's words that he'll be the King of Kindergarten, the royal metaphor gives him courage throughout the day as he meets new people and situations with bravery and excitement. Each page includes important milestones such as making friends, sharing, playing together, and going through the school day without any major issues, and Brantley-Newton adds clever imaginative details to these familiar scenes (an invisible crown, a chalk dragon, etc.). The illustrations' bright colors reflect the book's positive tone as it conveys the joys of growing up, starting school, and learning school routines. This will make an excellent addition to early childhood classrooms, or as a tool to help future kindergarteners understand what a typical school day can look like. Best of all, this story is free of disasters and jitters, making it an affirming choice for children in need of a confidence boost.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)