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2012 Back-to-School Roundup

Cover art for OOPSY, TEACHER!
CHILDREN'S
Released: Aug. 1, 2012
OOPSY, TEACHER!
by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
"Poor Mr. Bungles--readers' enjoyment practically guarantees that he will face yet another bad day sometime in the near future. Here's hoping his positive attitude holds up. (Picture book. 3-7)"
Calmenson and Yoshikawa's high-energy romp follows the hapless Mr. Bungles through another calamitous day (Late for School!, 2008). Read full book review >
Cover art for MARCO GOES TO SCHOOL
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 24, 2012
MARCO GOES TO SCHOOL
by Roz Chast, illustrated by Roz Chast
"This lacks much of the humor of Marco's first outing (Too Busy Marco, 2010), does little (or nothing) to allay children's fears about school, and touts a character who daydreams during lessons instead of listening to his teacher: Skip. (Picture book. 4-8)"
In his second outing, the parrot with big dreams does his daydreaming at school. Read full book review >
Cover art for MOM, IT'S MY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 3, 2012
Kirkus Star MOM, IT'S MY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!
by Hyewon Yum, illustrated by Hyewon Yum
"Yum has perfectly captured the emotional ups and downs of both parent and child in a visually expressive work that will shore up adults as they send their children off on that momentous day. (Picture book. 4-7, adult)"
Yum, known for using text and artwork to explore emotions (There Are No Scary Wolves, 2010, etc.), looks at the first day of school from two points of view--that of a little boy who is more than ready and a nervous mother not quite prepared to let him go. Read full book review >
Cover art for MISS FOX'S CLASS GETS IT WRONG
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2012
MISS FOX'S CLASS GETS IT WRONG
by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Anne Kennedy
"This lesson on gossip and rumors goes down like a spoonful of sugar. (Picture book. 4-8)"
When her class starts to see Miss Fox in the frequent company of Officer Blue Fox, rumors start to fly that their teacher is in trouble with the law. Read full book review >
Cover art for FOXY
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2012
FOXY
by Emma Dodd, illustrated by Emma Dodd
"Kids nervous about their own first day may just fall asleep wishing for their own Foxy visitor. (Picture book. 3-7)"
A very young girl's first-day-of-school jitters prompt a nighttime visit from Foxy, whose magical tail causes "school supplies" to appear, fairy-godmother style. Read full book review >
Cover art for MONSTER SCHOOL
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2012
MONSTER SCHOOL: FIRST DAY FRIGHTS
by Dave Keane, illustrated by Dave Keane
"Not just for the first day of school; this is sure to appeal year-round. (Early reader. 5-8)"
With its wide variety of monsters, mild creep and gross factors, and potential to allay some fears about fitting in, this is sure to find a wide audience among beginning readers. Read full book review >