FICTION

If Animals Went to School

by Ann Whitford Paul (text) & illus. by David Walker
Farrar. May 2019. 32p. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780374309022.
COPY ISBN
Toddler-PreS–Paul and Walker reunite for their fourth animal “what if” picture book—this one imagining what animals would do if they went to school. Using simple, bouncing rhymes and sounds, this charming narrative follows a reluctant, shuffling beaver on his way to school. Soft-hued acrylic artwork captures the imagined scene of animals in the classroom: “Kangaroo would jumpity-jump-jump past/and be first to the room” while “Fox would rush to the story nook,/and bark-bark, ‘Goat! Stop eating that book.’” Animals are shown joyfully singing, building, counting, reading, and playing at school; now Beaver is sad that he has to go home. The gentle, delightful illustrations paired with the simple, sweet story line are sure to please little listeners everywhere.
VERDICT Pair with Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Misses Mama to soothe nursery school jitters. A lovely recommended read-aloud for toddlers and preschoolers
Reviewed by Brianne Colombo, Fairfield Free Public Library, NJ , Jul 31, 2019

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