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Back-to-School Books Help Ease Jitters for the Youngest StudentsIs your buffalo ready for school to start? How about your tiger? These exciting new picture books introduce a unique crew of animals and children preparing for the first day of class. "Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?" by Audrey Vernick; illustrated by Daniel Jennewein; Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins; 32 pages; $16.99. Humor helps ease jitters. In Vernick's whimsical new tale, a young girl's pet buffalo is more than ready for school, with his own backpack and irresistible furry face. The author assumes all readers have their own buffalos; she fashions her action-packed picture book as a guide to taking them to school. When the students play hide-and-seek, our big student tries to hide behind a thin tree, prompting this observation: "Some kids are great hiders. Others are good seekers." And she also notes that sometimes buffalos get frustrated, "like when someone takes his building blocks. Or calls him Fluppalo." Artist Jennewein's hilarious drawings portray a lighthearted, fun animal that fits in perfectly in a kindergarten classroom. "Read to Tiger" by S.J. Flore; illustrated by R. W. Alley; Viking/Penguin; 32 pages; $15.99. Reminders to read are smart this time of year. This ode to the joy of reading stars a boy who just happens to get distracted, over and over again, by a tiger. The animal chomps gum loudly, pretends to be a bear ,and even turns into Karate Tiger to try to get the boy's attention. Eventually, our tiger pal heeds the youngster's warnings to be quiet and falls into reading with the boy. Kids ages 3 to 7 will laugh at the tiger's mischievous ways; they'll also absorb the message that reading is even more attractive, to a tiger, than loud pranks. Alley's flowing, almost dreamlike drawings will appeal and look similar to a child's colored pencil sketches. "Ready for Kindergarten, Stinky Face?" by Lisa McCourt; illustrated by Cyd Moore; Scholastic; 32 pages; $3.99. A certified level 1 beginning reader book, this "Scholastic Reader" tells a funny back-to-school tale.
Mom sets her son straight, however, calmly letting him know that these things probably won't happen — the sink flows grape juice and the fish tank grows huge and takes over the classroom. Moore's point that every child has questions about school is humorously displayed with plenty of reassurances. "Emily's First Day of School" by "Sarah, Duchess of York," illustrated by Ian Cunliffe; Sterling Publishing; 20 pages; $7.95. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has penned a brand new series for children and parents to read together in order to help youngsters overcome common challenges. This colorful, smaller picture book introduces Emily, who is fearful about her first day of school. But Emily's mom and her friend's big sister both help quell the little girl's fears. Emily soon realizes there are other new students, lots of art supplies and colorful blocks, and an outside playground. Written succinctly and hopefully with vivid illustrations, Ferguson's debut series, "Helping Hand Books," should be a welcome addition to school and home libraries. To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM
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