Hello, Crayons!

May 13, 2024
School supplies confidently introduce themselves via rhyme in a gregarious board book that’s poised to prepare new backpack wearers for the classroom. Each spread presents a different “friend,” beginning with crayons and followed by items such as a pencil, paint set, and notebook. First-person stanzas open with a simple introduction, the lines describing activities that each subject can accomplish: “I’m a ruler,/ I lead and I measure./ Just test me out/ on all your school treasures,” Eliot writes. Clark’s stickerlike artwork places basic thin-lined facial features on the objects for a cheerfully inviting effect. A final passage celebrates the objects’ raison d’être: “We’re your school supplies./ We’ll help you reach your dreams/ of what you’ll do in class/ and who you’ll one day be!” Final art not seen by PW. Ages up to 3.

August 1, 2024

PreS-This bright, bubbly board book turns school supplies into friendly characters that want to join young readers on their journey to school. With simple three-line rhyming text per page, each school supply is introduced with their "role." The bright rainbow-colored items have enthusiastic and fun expressions as they introduce themselves. "I'm your pencil. You'll practice ABCs. Learning to read and write is just the best-you'll see!" This book offers a great opportunity to be used in different ways at home and at school. It would shine as a read-aloud or as an independent read for children to point out letters, numbers, and colors. It could become a family favorite that would be easy to memorize and add to a beat. VERDICT A sweet and useful way to empower young readers to have ownership over the supplies that will help them reach their dreams.-Danielle Schwessinger

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