Brown Bear Starts School

by Sue Tarsky, Marina Aizen (Illustrator)

Overview

On his first day of school, Brown Bear is worried—until he realizes that he knows what to do.

Brown Bear is nervous. Today is his very first day of school. What if his classmates don't like him? What if he can't hear the teacher? What if he doesn’t have the right clothes? His mother does her best to reassure him but it isn’t until Brown Bear learns that he can do things for himself that he relaxes and helps his friends, too.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807507711
Publisher:	Whitman, Albert & Company
Publication date:	08/01/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	AD530L (what's this?)
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Born in New York City, Sue Tarsky lived and worked as a children's book publisher for many years in London. She now lives and works in Chicago.

Marina Aizen loves creating sweet characters, full of fun and bright colors, and draws every day in a little notebook she carries everywhere. She lives in Argentina.

Editorial Reviews

"Aizen's illustrations are charming."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

08/01/2019

PreS-K—Brown Bear is starting school. He is nervous about whether he has selected the right clothes and if he will be liked by his classmates. His mother assures him that everything will be okay and that she has prepared his favorite lunch. Once Brown Bear arrives at school he enjoys a variety of playground games with new friends. The characters appear to be colored in with crayons in a childlike style. This element gives the book a playful and inviting look and feel. The characters include a set of chick triplets, a pig, a monkey, and a crocodile. They sport cheerful smiles and expressive body language throughout. The brief text occupies little space on the page and gives ample focus to the book's bright and cheerful artwork. VERDICT A simple and inviting story about overcoming nervousness, starting school, and making friends.—Deanna Smith, Pender County Public Library, NC

School Library Journal

2019-05-08
Despite some jitters, Brown Bear not only survives his first day; he helps others succeed as well.

Brown Bear and his family have done everything they can in preparation: goodbyes from his father and older brother, lunchbox packed, money for milk, and a new sweater, scarf, and bookbag. But still, he's worried: What if the other students don't like him? What if he can't hear the teacher? What if he's not wearing the right clothes? His mother talks him through each worry: Many of his friends will be at school; he will hear her even if she whispers; and if his clothes aren't right, they'll go shopping. Sure enough, his friends are at school, and they are all dressed similarly. More importantly, though, Brown Bear keeps his friend safe when their ball goes over the fence and is welcoming when Baby Bunny, who's new to the area, needs a friend. Troublingly, a major focus seems to be on material things and fitting in. Baby Bunny is quick to explain that while her lunch is in a paper bag, she and her mother are going shopping after school. This will exclude kids who can't afford the typical back-to-school shopping trip as well as those who march to a different drummer. Aizen's illustrations are charming, the simple backgrounds and scribbly style reminiscent of a child's artwork.

The materialistic focus limits the audience for this title. (Picture book. 4-6)

Kirkus Reviews