Ming Goes to School - Tapa dura

"Sullivan and Loefdahl debut with a cozy portrait of the everyday discoveries and accomplishments that school can bring. Their heroine, with a red jumper and pigtails that stick straight out, dives right in to preschool activities like show-and-tell and, later in the year, making snow angels outside; other things take time (the playground slide is daunting at first). Ming appears to be of Asian descent, and her classmates are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Sullivan's text offers poetic reflections on school ("It's where magic fairy castles are built from sticks . . . and growing up takes time"), which Loefdahl captures in graceful and subdued watercolor scenes of dress-up tea parties, muddy spring explorations, and more. Best of all, Ming exhibits a quiet confidence and independence from start to finish, which ought to prove inspiring to children who are about to trade days spent at home for ones in new territory." Publishers Weekly,starred review "Featuring peeks at common classroom sights and activities, this empathetic tale could also be a discussion starter about growth and readiness." Kirkus Reviews "Sullivan and Loefdahl debut with a cozy portrait of the everyday discoveries and accomplishments that school can bring. Their heroine, with a red jumper and pigtails that stick straight out, dives right in to preschool activities like show-and-tell and, later in the year, making snow angels outside; other things take time (the playground slide is daunting at first). Ming appears to be of Asian descent, and her classmates are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Sullivan's text offers poetic reflections on school ("It's where magic fairy castles are built from sticks . . . and growing up takes time"), which Loefdahl captures in graceful and subdued watercolor scenes of dress-up tea parties, muddy spring explorations, and more. Best of all, Ming exhibits a quiet confidence and independence from start to finish, which ought to prove inspiring to children who are about to trade days spent at home for ones in new territory." Publishers Weekly,starred review "Featuring peeks at common classroom sights and activities, this empathetic tale could also be a discussion starter about growth and readiness." Kirkus Reviews

Ming goes to school, where she learns to say hello and good-bye. She meets new friends and introduces them to old friends (including her favorite teddy). She builds sandcastles and makes snow angels; she traces, glitters, and glues. She is so fearless that when held at sword point, she even walks the plank! And when she's playing in the mud, she reaches out and touches the worms with her bare hands. But despite those brave deeds, she isn't quite ready for the big red slide not yet. This is a very sweet story with soft, evocative watercolor illustrations that will help kids to grow comfortable with the idea of starting preschool. Ming is curious and playful and ready for adventure, but even she gets scared of new things sometimes. Kids will relate to her desires and fears and will be excited to see Ming at the top of the slide by the story's end. A quiet and reassuring picture book for preschoolers (3-5), this is a wonderful going-to-school story that can be read both at home and in the classroom or childcare center. The illustrations provide a lot of diversity of characters, making this feel like any classroom in any school in the country.