Stuart Goes to School

The worrywart hero of "Stuart's Cape" faces his first day of classes in a new town. Luckily, his magic cape will help him out again in this wryly funny mix of the real and the magical, enhanced by the late Matje's quirky line art, Ages 4-8. 

Copyright 2003 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

This humorous fantasy perfectly captures the child's-eye view of elementary-school life. Stuart, who is "excellent at worrying," finds plenty to agonize over as he starts third grade at a new school. What if he gets stuck in the bathroom or throws up? Why does he have to wear his father's ugly cowboy shirt and green plaid pants? His only consolation is his magical cape. When he wears it, unexpected adventures happen. To impress his classmates, the boy decides to try controlling the cape's arcane powers. He wishes for the hideous hand-me-down outfit to disappear but suddenly finds himself standing in his underwear. Stuart is convinced that he will be the laughingstock of the third grade forever. The expressive cartoon drawings often become part of the text design. Young readers are sure to identify with Stuart's persistent quest to find his place in the classroom society.

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.