School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-When the youngster who normally visits the barn every morning fails to appear, the animals are left to wonder what happened to him. The dog tells them that Tommy went "to a place called Kindergarten," but that was all he knew. Will the boy ever come back from there? After a long wait and much speculation, Tommy returns to tell them about his day and introduce them to the letters A through D. The story unfolds slowly and suffers from lack of action. Its structure is fairly sophisticated for the intended audience as most of the action happens out of sight. Instead of seeing the child in school, readers see the animals waiting for him and talking among themselves (with the recurring aside that "If you'd been there, listening in, it would probably have sounded like this: `NAYCluckMOObaa-.'"). Karas's illustrations, done in his trademark sketchy style and in fairly muted colors, do little to lighten the trudging pace of this quiet story. Tales about barnyard animals and about kindergarten abound, and this one fails to separate itself from the pack.-Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this endearing story from the team behind I Like Where I Am, a boy named Tommy fails to show up at the barn one morning to deliver his daily dose of treats and affection. Four worried animals-a cow, sheep, horse and hen-decide to find out why. The bewildering answer from the farm dog causes quite a stir. "Kindergarten! Where's that?... What does it look like?... Will he ever come back?" The text provides a comical reverse translation: "(If you'd been there, eavesdropping, it would have sounded something like this: `BaabaabaabaamoomoomoomooCluckcluckcluckclucknaynaynaynay')." Their anxious repartee continues until the arrival of a yellow school bus. An ebullient, paint-spattered Tommy announces, "I've been to Kindergarten!... And I learned lots!" His newly acquired knowledge meshes nicely with the alphabetized treats he bestows ("B is for biscuit! That's for you!" he says to the sheep). The artwork's warm golden hues and soft edges reflect the gentleness and mutual respect between boy and animals, and the overheard dialogue between the barnyard residents will invite youngsters to chime in with the baas and moos. Tommy's enthusiasm for his first day of school, wrapped within this story of friendship, will send a reassuring message to would-be kindergartners. Ages 4-up. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
