A COUPLE OF BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK

Today is my first day back to school. OK, not really, but with three days of training this week, then four days each of the next two weeks, then starting back for reals, this feels like summer is over. Seems like a good day to post a couple of quick reviews of some new-ish, school-ish picture books.

Charlie thinks his dog Norman is living the good life. Norman thinks Charlie has the better end of the deal. Charlie wishes he were a dog and the next morning, guess what? After a week of switched roles, Charlie decides he doesn't like drinking out of the toilet or being locked out side, and Norman doesn't like listening to stories about cats, so the two switch back. Predictable but fun. Add this one to your point of view basket.

Mr. Panda has some doughnuts he would like to share. However,  his friends,  Penguin, Skunk, and Whale don't seem to have the manners to ask politely for a doughnut, so Mr. Panda doesn't share with them. Short, with a repeating refrain, great addition to any preschool or kindergarten manners unit. Also, it looks like there is a bilingual edition of this book, which always makes me happy!

THE WORST BEST FRIEND- ALEXIS O'NEILL

Mike and Conrad are best friends. They eat together, read together, play together, and that's the way it's always been. Things change, however, when Victor moves to town. Victor is cool, way cool, and has the sunglasses to prove it. Soon Conrad and Victor are doing everything together, and Mike is left out. 

Kids love the rhythmic, sing-songy playgroundish language and funny, collage like illustrations of Alexis O'Neill's RECESS QUEEN (another great back to school read aloud- it's pictured here because I can't find a picture of WORST BEST FRIEND) and WORST BEST FRIEND is another sure winner that kids will reread, and reread, and reread, and chant on the playground.

On a deeper level though, WORST  BEST FRIEND is one of those books kids NEED in their lives. The first couple of reads, they enjoy the book, notice new things in the illustrations, read along. The third or fourth time, though, they talk about heart issues- what it feels like to lose a best friend, being left out, loneliness, loyalty. All kids lose a deep and treasured friend at least once in their lives, and books like this make a very hard experience a little less painful. 

I'm sure this book will disappear, and I'll replace it more than once.