Little Critter: First Day of School (U)

Little Critter is a bit nervous about starting school today. There's a lot to be done before he can even get on the bus he has to pick out his clothes, find his backpack, pack the perfect lunch, and say good-bye to Mom. Join Little Critter as he gets ready for this exciting day. Lift the flaps and find out what surprises are in store for Little Critter on his first day of school!Children's LiteratureMercer Mayer's Little Critter character is a well established, friendly, little monster (a bit reminiscent of Big Foot) who does things with equally cute monster friends. In this case, Little Critter is experiencing a combination of anxiety and anticipation about his first day of school. In each spread, Little Critter reports on something that is happening; the right hand side of the page has a fold-over that opens up to start off another sequence. Thus under the page that describes what happens during recess the fold over reveals the children being called back into class. In the end, of course, Little Critter finds that school has both ups and downs but all in all, he is eager to keep going. The story is pleasant enough; it may well be reassuring to young children facing their own first day. However, the book does not move much beyond a concept just as the fold-over page feels rather like a gimmick. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry