1, 2, 3, Off to School!

June 1, 2021
In anticipation of kindergarten next year, a curious child follows their animal neighbors to each of their schools for the day. Pom, a White child with a pointy, red hat who lives in a tree, may not start kindergarten until next year, but their animal friends have told them all about their schools. With their schoolbag packed and a new pair of shoes, Pom sets off on an adventure to check out the schools for themself. Starting with the busy mice, Pom then visits rabbits, frogs, foxes, bears, sloths, squirrels, wolves, turtles, and hedgehogs. Every location introduces a new school-related activity, including bus rides, field trips, music, gym, lunch, napping, cleaning up, and after-school pickup. Apart from Pom, only three other nonanimal characters appear in the illustrations, including Momo (Pom's caregiver), and all of them have pale pink skin like Pom's. The narrative does not assign a binary gender to either Pom or Momo. The double-page illustrations, alive with tiny details and references to popular children's stories, demand up-close exploration. Bits of dialogue scattered across the pages, although not essential to understanding the story, highlight student perspectives about daily routines. Despite the disappointing lack of racial diversity, Pom's ease and inquisitive nature combine with the distance provided by the focus on animals at school to create a gentle preview of a big life change. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Imported from France, a whimsical peek at a new experience. (Picture book. 3-5)

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June 28, 2021
Pom, a light-skinned human child in a pointed cap, is so eager to attend the first day of kindergarten that they “packed a schoolbag, prepared a snack and put on new shoes.” Momo protests, “you don’t start school until next year!” but Pom has a plan to visit all the many various animal kindergartens to see what awaits. In Dubuc’s signature line drawings in soft colors, the classrooms teem with dozens of animal students and teachers taking part in all kinds of school activities. The mice attend class behind the garden wall, with rooms and furnishings made of recognizable objects such as thimbles and playing cards. The rabbits use their big ears to listen closely, while the frogs attend art class on lily pads. Big double-page spreads brim with details and vignettes to pore over, including text asides, in this cheery, inviting back-to-school fantasy. Ages 3–7.