The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten

January 14, 2013
Middle-grade author Fergus (Ortega) makes her picture-book debut with the story of a put-upon kindergartener who is more than ready for school; the same can’t be said for her mother, though. The premise recalls Hyewon Yum’s recent Hey Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten, and this book relies on the same comedic contrast between a confident, well-adjusted kid and a parent who just doesn’t get it. However, Fergus and Lowery distinguish their offering with lively humor and a bright, welcoming cartoon aesthetic. After neglecting to wait in line to enter the classroom, the young narrator’s mother forgets to put her shoes in her cubby, makes a mess at lunch, and otherwise mortifies her daughter. But with patience and some teacherly wisdom (“Ms. Beaudry said I should remember that Mom had never been to our class before”), mother and daughter are able to reach an understanding. Young readers will giggle over the parental talking points the girl deploys (“I’m proud of how hard you tried today, Mom”), while perhaps recognizing some of their own foibles on display. Ages 3–7.

February 1, 2013
Mom manages to make about every mistake in the kindergarten book when she visits school one day. Mom looks a little woebegone when she drops her daughter off at kindergarten, so her daughter invites her to come for the day. But Mom doesn't know the rules, so she neglects to take off her outdoor shoes ("I was SHOCKED," says her daughter), talks out of turn ("VERY EMBARRASSING, Mom"), spills crumbs from her sandwich, blabs during storytime and grumps when her art project doesn't turn out. But she gradually gets the hang of things, and by the end, she is almost a kindergartener, though the chairs really are too small. Fergus has provided a fun poke at role reversal, with the mother as the utter miscreant and the daughter striking an admonitory note. It has a nice, natural touch, and it should be a solace for any kid who worries about entering kindergarten: Mistakes are not the end of the world. Lowery provides a strong supporting background with strong lines and great fields of color in his illustrations. The artwork also squares readers to the kindergarten setting: You can almost smell the crayons and feel in the cubbies for your shoes. A well-observed kindergarten whimsy. (Picture book. 3-7)

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March 1, 2013

PreS-K-A nameless little girl likes everything kindergarten so her transition toward independence has been easy for her, but not for her mother, whom she invites to join her for a day in class. Her mother is excited about the opportunity but her actions are more than a bit embarrassing when she doesn't wait her turn in line or take off her outside shoes. Her daughter gives her gentle reminders to follow the expected behaviors but Mom keeps having outbursts and shows a lack of self-control. Dismayed by her behavior, the child consults her teacher and is reminded that it takes a while to get used to something new. The girl is pleased when her mom displays more appropriate behavior and learns the rules that every kindergartener knows. At the end of the day, the woman decides to stick to things she is good at and leave the kindergarten activities to her daughter. Lowery's cartoon art is simple and expressive, accurately displaying activities of a kindergarten classroom. This is a fresh and funny look at a familiar subject that both children and parents will enjoy.-Diane Antezzo, Ridgefield Library, CT

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