Rosie Goes to Preschool

May 11, 2015
Wearing a welcoming smile and a bright pink dress dotted with daisies, a girl named Rosie tells readers what to expect at preschool in this reassuring outing featuring Katz’s characteristically round-headed, rosy-cheeked toddlers. Rosie calmly breezes through the day’s activities, like singing songs and listening to stories during circle time, or playing with clay when it’s time for art. Throughout, small circular bursts offer “Rosie Tips” for preschool success (“Don’t forget to raise your hand if you want to talk”). Cozy, inviting graphics and a narrative that’s never anything less than confident combine to create a gentle resource for relieving preschool butterflies. Ages 2–5.

June 1, 2015
An endearing guide shows young children what preschool will be like. Her friendly manner and the tips she scatters throughout will help readers feel right at home and well-prepared for their transitions to school: "Hi, I'm Rosie. Welcome to preschool. Come on in!" Her day starts by putting her things, which include a stuffed bear for naptime, in her cubby and then saying goodbye to her dad-"Your grown-up will be back soon," a "Rosie Tip" in a medallion inset informs readers. Her multiracial classmates are all busily engaged in many activities until circle time. Rosie similarly teaches readers about the school schedule, classroom-helper jobs, and special classroom routines: today is art day, and they also play music with Mr. Lombardo. There's potty time, lunch, recess, naptime, and then it's time to get ready to go home. Rosie is a round-headed, rosy-cheeked girl with high buns in her light-brown hair. She's confident and self-assured, and she and her classmates shed no tears at all the whole day, which is unrealistic though comforting to new preschoolers. Katz's patterned, mixed-media illustrations are superbright and simple, keeping the focus on Rosie's tour. Similarly, Katz keeps the sentences short and the vocabulary easy to suit her audience. Rosie provides a delightful introduction to preschool that will soothe first-day worries. (Picture book. 2-5)

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August 1, 2015

PreS-Rosie shows and tells readers what she does in her preschool class. She includes tips for readers like "At play time, you can play by yourself or with a friend" and "When everybody works together, cleanup goes faster." Katz's characteristic bold, colorful design of collage and mixed-media illustration conveys friendly and reassuring thoughts about going to school, while representing children of many ethnicities. This large-format book with straightforward text has an easy-to-follow story line. Preschool teachers may choose this as a read-aloud during the first few days of school, or parents of children entering preschool might find this simple narrative helpful for guiding conversations about going to school. VERDICT A solid introduction to the preschool experience.-Lindsay Persohn, University of South Florida, Tampa

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