The Class

Starred review from May 9, 2016
Ashburn (I Had a Favorite Hat) turns her attention to the preparations that go into getting ready for school, bouncing among 20 children as they wake up, get dressed, and have breakfast, with varying speeds and degrees of enthusiasm (“Five begin to look alive./ This one’s sure he won’t survive./ One is tickled. Two look worried./ One woke late and now she’s hurried!”). Gee (Today with Meg and Ted) turns in some excellent work, strongly evoking personalities for each of the children through body language, eccentric clothing choices, and a bevy of homey details that will resonate with a broad range of readers. Indeed, the book’s biggest strength is its subtle recognition of difference: even though these kids are all headed to the same place, their individual family situations, moods, and interests all play roles in bringing them there. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary.

Starred review from June 1, 2016
An original take on the first-day-of-school theme follows the 20 students that make up the titular kindergarten class as they get ready in the morning.Ashburn and Gee do their best to be inclusive in every way--from the kids' skin tones, ethnicities, and hairstyles to their personalities and behaviors. "Four are eager, up since dawn. / Three just sit / and yawn / and yawn. / Some are grumpy. / Some keep sleeping. / They don't hear the clock beep-beep-ing!" Some laugh, some cry. Some have prepared ahead of time, with clothes laid out or new shoes or a new backpack, while others spend time looking for things or make do with hand-me-downs. Two fashionistas dress to the nines, while four wear shirts their moms picked out. From day-old underwear and nonmatching socks to an accident with a breakfast plate, forgetting to brush, and issues with younger siblings, Ashburn isn't afraid to confront mishaps head-on. But after some almost miss the bus, a few get rides, and others walk to school, they all end up together in front of a welcoming teacher. Gee's delightful tots are done in pencil and colored digitally, with a watercolor look. She captures each personality, and readers are sure to find at least one kid with whom they can identify.A reassuring peek that will assuage children's fears about their own first days and their classmates. (Picture book. 4-7)

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August 1, 2016

PreS-K-Twenty children from 19 different homes are getting ready for the first day of school in this illustrated story in rhyme. Some of the students-to-be are eager, others are nervous, but there are plenty of antics all around. "Three have pancakes./Juice for eight./Two eat toast./One drops a plate. Some have butterflies;/they just nibble./One's distracted-/dribble...dribble." The children are from diverse backgrounds, and Gee skillfully infuses their faces with emotion in the digitally colored pencil drawings. With such a variety of experiences early in the morning, viewers will be able to identify with the characters depicted. It's also fun to follow the individual kids as they get ready, meet up with friends, and make their way to class. VERDICT An appealing look at one group of students who come together to form a class. Suitable for small group sharing, but most first-time students will want to pore over the engaging artwork.-Jennifer Steib Simmons, Anderson County Library, SC

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