daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition
3.0
This book shows that the boy’s mom is scared because she is small and blue but that the boy is super excited because he is large and colorful. They change places as different things happen, she grows and he shrinks. I think this would be a good book for preschool storytime just before school starts or before kids leave for summer.
upstatelibrarygal's review against another edition
3.0
Great, funny way to talk about any anxiety that a child might have before starting school. In this case, it's mom who is very worried and the child calms her fears.
ibj's review against another edition
3.0
PB 22. I really like the idea of this book. It is cute, and it's a different perspective on the old "first day of school" story. However, I was so creeped out that the mom shrunk to the size of the kindergartener. I don't know why, but it really caught me up. I think kindergarteners would enjoy this, but I couldn't get over it. The illustrations were very striking, and the attitudes presented in this book were clear and relatable. I would have given this 4 stars, but I couldn't get over the tiny mom.
libraryannemckernan's review against another edition
3.0
Cute switch in perspective for a get-ready-for-Kindergarten book showing that Moms are nervous too. Though I loved seeing this boy's enthusiasm and confidence I wondered if kids would maybe have anxiety about how upset the Mom seemed to be. I think it is refreshing to point out that parents are sometimes worried about transitions, but this Mom does nothing to hide her anxiety, which is the opposite of what parents usually try to do. The Mom looks so depressed (even painted blue when she is clearly feeling blue) and worried I wanted to get her some help. I fear it will cause more anxiety than calm fears for 5 year olds headed off to Kindergarten. I don't think many 5 year olds consider their parent's feelings about this milestone and this book may bring out added concerns for kids who are already fearful.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
August 2018 - there's a lot happening in the illustrations here, as we see the mom grow and become more colorful as her anxiety lessens. Otherwise, it realistically deals with both parents' and kids' anxieties about starting school, and has a cheerful ending.
melissaj02's review against another edition
2.0
This was cute. I liked how the boy was already for school and the mom was scared for him. I didn't like how the mom was drawn all small and dark when she was scared.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
2.0
I like how the illustrations capture emotion, but it does not really capture the child's point of view making it more of an "adult" book
ursulamonarch's review against another edition
5.0
Great way to safely introduce common kindergarten fears as coming from the parent, with the child reassuringly having all the answers (with a brief switch in the book to show it's ok for the kid to be worried too). I really liked the illustration style.
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