  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 08/01/2015 PreS—Monkey draws on his supportive family to combat first-day-of-school jitters in this new picture book. His parents and big brother are very excited about kindergarten, but Monkey isn't so sure. Along with the usual list of worrisome "what ifs," Monkey doubts he even needs kindergarten. After all, he can count to 12, and he's pretty good with the alphabet. Brown's narrative models a family-centered approach to combating common preschool fears as Monkey and his family prepare together for the big day. Monkey plays teacher, demonstrating for his "students" (Mom and Dad) how to count, and they visit the library to read books about starting school. A playdate with some of his potential classmates gives him a chance to start making friends early, and the night before, Monkey helps get everything ready. Throughout, the emphasis is on Monkey as an active participant in the preparation, taking ownership of this new experience. He picks out his own lunchbox, helps pack his lunch, and even selects a favorite book to remind him of home. With his big, expressive eyes, Monkey is the center of Brown's vibrant spreads. Colored pencil and gouache illustrations and childlike hand lettering illuminate Monkey's personality and keep the story grounded in his perspective. VERDICT While not breaking any new ground, Brown's kid-centered perspective and accessible model for preparation make this title rise to the top of its class. A first purchase.—Chelsea Couillard-Smith, Hennepin County Library, MN - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2015 With the start of kindergarten only a week away, little Monkey has a long list of worries, from the logistical (“What if he can’t find the bathroom?”) to the emotional (“What if he doesn’t make new friends?”). His supportive family regales him with stories of the wonderful things he will do in kindergarten, and he even has the opportunity to meet some future classmates (all of whom seem far more confident than he is) at a playdate, but on the big day he’s still nervous. The story ends with a wordless sequence of Monkey being warmly greeted as he enters the classroom and then happily playing on the playground, in what is clearly a successful first day. School anxiety is certainly a common thing, and Monkey’s concerns are easily understandable. While the wordless conclusion may leave the ending open for little listeners imagining their own first days of kindergarten, the effect is abrupt and unsatisfying, particularly when read aloud, and Monkey’s parents’ anticipation of hearing about Monkey’s day dangles unfulfilled. The visual style is a departure from Brown’s more familiar work in the Arthur series; colored pencil and gouache illustrations, with childlike touches to the draftsmanship, are often intense with texture in the full-bleed spreads; there’s an ochre tint to the palette, and soft edges replace Brown’s more familiar line drawings. The font is composed in kid-style crayon writing, and the endpapers are chock full of kindergarten-esque crayon art. Families may find Edwards’ Dinosaur Starts School (BCCB 5/09) a smoother selection for addressing first-day jitters, but Monkey’s fears may resonate with some incoming students, and the open ending has potential as a talking point. HM - Copyright 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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