by Mike Wohnoutka (Author)
All summer Oliver and his dad played together, laughed together, sang together, and read together.
Now it's time for Oliver to start school! On the first day, Oliver's dad isn't quite ready. . . . Suddenly he feels nervous. His tummy hurts, and he would rather stay home. But Oliver isn't convinced. What if the first day is really fun? What if it's the start of an exciting year? In this charming story of first-day jitters, acclaimed author and illustrator Mike Wohnoutka perfectly captures the mixed emotions felt by kids and their parents when big changes are afoot.WorldCat is the world's largest library catalog, helping you find library materials online.
In a story of emotional transference, a boy named Oliver is completely ready for school to begin but his kind, nebbishy father--with whom Oliver spent the summer playing, reading, and singing--grows nervous when the big day arrives. Wohnoutka's gouache paintings poke gentle fun at Daddy, and they'll elicit giggles as Oliver's father hides from his son as they prepare to leave the house, drives "very slowly" to school, and throws a tantrum that requires the teacher to carry the man out of the building. It's a straightforward and familiar story (with a reassuring conclusion), and it should leave new students with an extra jolt of confidence. Ages 4-8. (July)
Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.PreS-Gr 1--Oliver and his dad had a fun summer--playing, singing, and reading together. When it comes time for school, Oliver is ready, but his dad grows nervous as the big day nears. As Oliver's dad complains his stomach hurts, hides from his son as they prepare to leave, and drives slowly to school, Oliver is the one reassuring his dad. This familiar story will hit home with kids and parents alike who have experienced first day of school jitters. As Oliver's dad proclaims, "I'm not ready for school!" The colorful gouache illustrations will elicit giggles from young readers as they imagine their parents behaving like Oliver's dad. VERDICT A charming addition to the popular first day of school section.--Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.MIKE WOHNOUTKA is the illustrator of many books including Moo! which received two starred reviews and was chosen as an ALA Notable book and by the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books as a Blue Ribbon selection, Can't Sleep Without Sheep, Just Like My Papa, and Stay Close to Mama. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Mike lives with his wife and two children in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
www.mikewohnoutka.com