How to Get Your Teacher Ready (How to)

"You are ready for the first day of school. But what about your teacher?" Having previously explored how to take care of moms, dads, and grandparents, Reagan and Wildish zip readers through a school year's worth of advice, from making sure that one's teacher is prepared for school picture day ("Remind your teacher, 'No messy snacks'") to handing her a favorite book to read when things don't go as planned. Wildish's vivid palette and cast of round-headed kids and adults emphasize the chaos and camaraderie of the classroom, and Reagan's enthusiastic narrative essentially makes school feel like one big party. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator's agent: Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, Bright Literary. (July) Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--The sweetness of this book will entice readers young and old. Reagan provides guides to basic school rules, celebrations like 100 Days and class plays, and even the bittersweet moment of moving up a grade. These are meant to put kids at ease with school situations and let them know they're not alone. As the most recent edition in the "How To..." series, this book plays to adult readers, amusing parents, while giving kids a light structure for their student experience, and reflecting gently but profoundly on the special role that teachers play in their students lives. Though the flow of the book is a bit unfamiliar--definitely a "how to" rather than a narrative--it is an effective method to build empathy and appreciation for the formative day-to-day work of educators. Wildish's illustrations are soft, expressive, full of hugs and smiles and silly faces, and add to the light and upbeat tone. Missteps like a thin-lined font choice and an oddly light hand on character faces distract from but don't derail the experience. VERDICT A tender read-together for an early elementary or pre-K audience, this is a surprisingly thoughtful read for parents and teachers to share and discuss with children.--Emilia Packard, Austin, TX

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for the HOW TO . . . books:

"A new hit this year is How to Catch Santa. . . . The picture book offers lighthearted tips on how kids can steal a glimpse of Mr. Elusive, aka Santa." —USA Today (How to Catch Santa)

"Belongs on the shelf of every kid who loves a grandparent." —The Salt Lake Tribune (How to Babysit a Grandpa)

"The charm of its premise and the clear bond between the generations will have kids and grandparents giggling together." —School Library Journal (How to Babysit a Grandma)