Have you ever been scared about the first day of a new school year? Kate is starting kindergarten. She wants to stay home. Maggie is excited to start school. She knows she will have a great time because she has her special teddy bear, Root Bear, to keep her company. Can Maggie help Kate? Read all about their adventures as they begin kindergarten together and become great friends.
Reviewer's Comments
4 Stars given by Molly Martin, 20 + years as a California Classroom teacher:
Author Peggy Schmuldt, the Library Lady at Du Jardin School in Bloomingdale,
Illinois teams with sixth grader Ian Campbell to produce an appealing work
sure to please the target audience of 3 - 7 year olds. While both children
followed in the tale are little girls, the narrative is one with which
little folks of either sex can identify. Artwork a la the crayon drawing
style of Syd Hof is sure to prove a child pleaser.
In addition to pleasure reading/listening time on the rug during story-time, Maggie and Kate: A Friendship Begins, has a place in classroom unit work on
emotions and how to deal with them. Both Maggie's self assuredness and Kate'
s worry are feelings I often encountered on the first day of a new
Kindergarten or First Grade session. Writer Schmuldt has captured to
perfection the emotions little folks cannot always voice. Artist Campbell's
illustrations add to the work. Maggie and Kate: A Friendship Begins is a
'read to' work for the target audience and a 'read alone' for student
mentors third grade and beyond reading level.
Enjoyed the read. This is a book I would use in my own Kindergarten or
First Grade classroom. I am happy to recommend the book for the home
pleasure library, school library and for home schoolers as well as for
therapists working with young children who cannot always realize or relate
what it is they are feeling.
Maggie and Kate: A Friendship Begins the first illustrated children's book
written by author Schmuldt and illustrated by artist Campbell. I am happy
to know more in the series are coming.