FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Arthur's little sister, D.W., tells what's what at preschool in this laugh-out-loud guide from Marc Brown.

From free play to lunchtime to recess, D.W. lets kids know that preschool is all about meeting people and having lots of fun, with a little chaos thrown in. Although "some kids are sad" when parents drop them off, the sassy and self-assured D.W. assures readers that "I'm not.żżż It's no big deal." As for those necessary bathroom breaks, she points out that "Once, Dennis wet his pants. I pretended not to notice because we're learning to be polite." And later, when the class learns "The Wheels on the Bus," D.W. doesn't "know why, because we can't take the bus until next year, when we're in kindergarten." All the cool things about preschool don't just end at the end of the day, though, because as D.W. points out, "I'm not sad, because I get to come back tomorrow!"

With Marc Brown's recognizably snappy artwork to add to the preschool fun, D.W.'s guide should put those preschool fears at ease. The little aardvark's confidence and chipper demeanor sets a great example, and the playfulness of the other preschoolers will keep kids giggling. There's no school to fear when D.W. is here! Matt Warner

ANNOTATION

D.W., Arthur's fun and sassy little sister, stars in this humorous guide to a child's very first day of school. From naps to snacks to playtime, D.W. covers it all in this helpful and hilarious guidebook to a very important rite of passage.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

D.W.'s friendly no-nonsense advice helps preschoolers get through the first day, covering everything from naps and snacks to bathroom breaks and boo-boos. Young readers everywhere will love the funny details, smart commentary, and the reassurance that they get to come back the next day!

Author Biography: Marc Brown is the creator of the bestselling Arthur Adventure and D.W. book series and creative producer of the children's PBS television series Arthur. He lives with his family in Hingham and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

"Arthur's spunky younger sister lays out a typical day so that preschoolers know what to expect," PW said. "Cheery watercolors of human and animal classmates depict songs and games during circle time, snack break and playground activities." Ages 3-6. (July) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Kimberly O'Meara

D.W., another unforgettable character created by Marc Brown, is featured in this entertaining story. From the very first page Arthur's little sister invites you to explore her day at preschool. Set in the familiar surroundings of a school, the preschool environment lends its characters a believable and realistic quality. With a minimal amount of information on each page the story is easy to understand and enriched with recognizable characters. The engaging text, along with colorful and detailed illustrations transport the reader into D.W.'s world. Each page abounds with visuals portraying a genuine preschool setting. From the art on the walls, play areas, work centers, cubbies, and paintings, to potty problems and pick up time your child will learn to recognize what an adventure a day at school can become. D.W.'s authoritative voice guides the listener past his/her school time jitters to introduce him to new and fascinating surroundings, making it a must have for all preschool age children. 2003, Little Brown & Company, and Ages 2 to 5.

School Library Journal

PreS-Arthur's talkative, spirited, and sometimes bossy little sister invites young listeners to join her for a day at her preschool. With smiles and assurances, she gives instructions about saying good-bye to parents and hello to the other students and even to the class pet. Her chatty tone is comforting and reassuring, as she talks about snack time, bathroom breaks, boo-boos, free play, and circle time. The story ends with the children being picked up, reassuring youngsters that their parents will come back for them. Brown's signature pen-and-ink watercolors perfectly capture the characters' activities and emotions. Preschoolers will love D.W.'s matter-of-fact advice and will want to listen to this story again and again. A great book for sharing at home or during storytime to calm first-day jitters.-Tracy Bell, Durham Public Schools, NC Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.