Polka-Dot Fixes Kindergarten

May 23, 2011
On Polka-dot's first day of kindergarten, her handy grandfather gives her a fix-it kit of her own, which includes duct tape, soap, and bandages. At school, Polka-dot gains an adversary: Liz (a fan of stripes) makes fun of her polka-dotted clothes and points out when Polka-dot makes a mess. But as the tension between the girls rises ("Your mouth is mean, mean, mean," Polka-dot tells Liz), a mishap gives Polka-dot a chance to use her kit to help Liz and forge an unexpected friendship. Kemble's watercolors telegraph the girls' fluctuating emotions as they navigate a new experience. Ages 4â7.

July 1, 2011

K-Gr 3-It's great to have a Grandpa who can fix anything, but there comes a time in every child's life when she has to find ways to fix things by herself-and not every problem can be resolved with duct tape, glue, or soap. Polka-dot starts kindergarten on the wrong foot, and things just seem to go from bad to worse. Liz, wearer of all things striped, seems to be in direct opposition to Polka-dot, in more ways than matters of wardrobe. From making fun of others to arguing about teacher gifts and messy paint spills, this story follows a day's negative trail of painful interactions between these two girls. The story captures well the way children act and converse among themselves, and readers will readily relate to the dialogue and dilemma. Urdahl effectively juxtaposes the repair of things and the mending of relationships and feelings. Polka-dot must make a move toward more positive interaction with Liz, and it pays off for both girls in the end. The secondary theme of adjusting to school and its myriad rules and routines is also explored. The colorful watercolor illustrations support the text well. Kemble does a particularly good job of rendering facial expressions to mirror the children's emotions: worry, anger, hopefulness, shame, discomfort, and ultimately, kindness. Character education is becoming increasingly important in schools, and this book will make a solid addition to the resource shelf.-Corrina Austin, Locke's Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

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