Review: Goodbye Kindergarten by Andrea Williams

GOODBYE KINDERGARTEN

by Andrea Williams

Illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre

Mascot Books

Picture Book

ages 3 to 7

Kindergarten has been full of fun and learning, but the school year is almost done. It’s time to say goodbye to your teacher and friends.

No need to be sad! Celebrate the special people, places, and things in your classroom, and all the knowledge you’ll take with you into first grade!

Available directly from Mascot Books here!

       

MY TIDBITS

These pages bring positive vibes, warmth and understanding to those leaving Kindergarten for the last time before summer break heads into the first school year.

It's the last day of Kindergarten. The very last day. While nervousness mingles with wonder of thoughts at what the next stage of school might bring, it's first time to say goodbye to all of those familiar things. Each page offers a variety of goodbyes to things this age group might be familiar with in their own Kindergarten rooms. Goodbye pencils, paper, glue and so much more. The list is long, and at the end, it wraps up with a touching message which makes it clear that goodbye is sad but so much more than that, too.

The illustrations in this book are cute and sweet and friendly and full of life. While there are very familiar objects, the portrayed children are so cheerful that it's hard not to smile with them. And the teacher is a bubble of happiness and care, too. All negative and sad moments are kept at bay as the memories of the past year are briefly awakened and waved goodbye to.

At first, I found it a bit simple and strange to list things to say goodbye to, which young children will definitely be seeing again when they hit that first year of school. But by running through the list, it hits upon items leaving kindergarten kids have learned to be around every day. While reading this, I can see them coming up with extra things on their own...so, be ready for a few shout-ins when using this as a read-aloud. The ending is sweet and syrupy, but it adds in all that warmth sad kids will need to hear. 

This is a cute book for those leaving kindergarten and works well as a read-aloud or in smaller settings as well.


And here she is...

After graduating from ODU with a B.S. in Exercise Science and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education, Andrea became a kindergarten teacher. The idea for Goodbye Kindergarten came from a project she worked on during her last year as a kindergarten teacher at Hillpoint Elementary School.

Andrea originally wrote this book as a parting gift for her kindergarten class. She hopes it will help more students learn to say goodbye to the school year and hello to new beginnings

Interview and Review: Being Small (Isn't So Bad After All) by Lori Orlinsky

BEING SMALL

(Isn't So Bad After All)

by Lori Orlinsky

Illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre

Mascot Books

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

Being small is the worst! No one ever picks me for their sports team and my feet hurt from standing on my tiptoes all the time. There can’t be anything good about being small…right?

MY TIDBITS

I really enjoyed getting my hands on this one, thanks to my youngest daughter, who is also one of the 'small' ones in life.

This little girl doesn't want to go to school. Although she thinks she might not feel good enough to go, it turns out that she's upset about being so small. She recounts her troubles to her mother, who then flips everything upside down. And maybe being small isn't as negative as the little girl thinks.

The text is simple and flows in rhyme (some times smoother than others). The words are placed in such a way, which not only makes it clear what the girl fears, but also will bring smiles to young listeners faces. The humor is light but just right to make this a meaningful and enjoyable read. The situations are ones listeners will identify with, and the mother's side of things is also easy to agree with and understand. It's a cute back and forth with a message that's clear.

The illustrations are sweet and bring across the atmosphere nicely. Each situation is easy to understand (even for those who are simply flipping through the pages), and will probably draw a comment or two before the tale is done.

Kids who are on the small side will especially enjoy this book and are sure to see themselves in at least a few of the scenes.

INTERVIEW

This is your first children’s book, and it’s gained a wonderful amount of recognition so far…congratulations! What do you believe helped lead to this success?

Thank you! I believe the book has become successful because it was so personal to me, and I really put my heart and soul into it. I lived being short, and I am raising not one, but two little ladies. I was so determined to write a book that would make short children feel comfortable and proud in their own skin. Along the way, I realized it had universal messages of self acceptance, self confidence and bullying prevention that are applicable to all children. Being Small appeals to any child who has every felt different, and it also serves as a wonderful discussion starter about the power of our words.

The story was inspired by your own daughter. What were her thoughts and reactions when you published this book?

Hayley was my biggest cheerleader. Seeing what she deemed as disadvantages framed as advantages in the book made her look at herself in a whole new light. Now she completely rocks being the shortest, not only in her class, but in all of Kindergarten. She relishes in the special privileges that only she has because of her height.

What is your favorite part about writing? And what would you rather eat worms than do?

My favorite part about writing is knowing I have the power to change someone's life. I have received so many letters from parents whose children are receiving growth hormone shots. They've told me the book has made their children feel empowered and proud. To me, it is such a gratifying feeling.  I'd rather eat worms than be in the heat. I love cold weather, which is why I live in Chicago. Bring on the -35 degree windchills, but nothing higher than 60 degrees.

Many authors were avid readers during their childhood. What were your favorite books while growing up?

I always looked forward to going to bed as a child because my Dad would read me Dr. Seuss books. I always asked for "just one more." As parents sometimes do, my Dad would try to skip pages to get me to go to bed faster. I always caught him, and made him start from the beginning! My favorite Dr. Seuss books were "The Foot Book" and "Green Eggs and Ham."

What book are you reading right now? As a teenager, I became interested in books about the Holocaust, since my late grandparents were survivors. I just finished "The Tattooist of Aushwitz" by Heather Morris.

When you aren’t writing, what do you like to do? 

I love to spend time with my family - my husband, Brian and two daughters, Hayley and Ellie. We don't enjoy sitting still - we like to go to museums, zoos, aquariums and the movies. I also love to unwind with an episode of Friends, my all time favorite show.

What was your biggest wish as a child? 

To be an author. I remember stapling construction paper together and making my own books. I thought about writing a book so many times over the years, but never had the inspiration to do so. Funny how life works out, because that "aha" moment came when my daughter told me she didn't want to go to school anymore because she was the shortest kid in class. Frustrated that no book on this topic existed, I realized I had a book inside of me, and this was the story I was meant to tell.

You can read the article about convincing her daughter it's okay to

be small here:

Scary Mommy: https://www.scarymommy.com/love-being-small/