The first day of school is always a difficult transition for both parent and child and Haybillybun and his mother are no exception. Itemizing his problems, as he is coaxed to get ready, the preschool puppy moans that his “slip-slidey-fluffy feet” will prevent him from running and playing. Peering into the mirror, he proclaims that with his “horrible fuzzy ears,” he will be unable to hear the teacher. He finishes his litany of woes by proclaiming that this full name is just too long and that he wants to be called just “Bun,” but when he arrives at school, he is surprised to find that all of the other children have equally long and tongue-tying names. Returning home, Haybillybun’s mother begins to go about her day, but the sight of her son’s empty bedroom sends her flying back to the schoolyard to peer through the fence. Through the pickets, she sees him happily running through the playground. Later, a peek in the window shows him working quietly on a drawing. It is difficult to resist the beautiful watercolor illustrations that give such personality to the worried puppy and his friends. Children and parents alike will want to read this one again and again as they prepare for their own first day. Irresistible. (Picture book. 4-7)
