On the Night Before Kindergarten

A kitten's anxieties about what might befall him on the first day of kindergarten prove pleasantly unfounded in Wells's reassuring starting-school tale. On the night before the big day, young gray kitty Milo wakes up in a panic over the stressful events of "three unforgettable dreams"--wearing only his red rubber boots to school, forgetting how to count, and riding a runaway bus. His parents assure him that "happy new adventures" lie ahead, but after taking Milo to school the next morning, it's Mama and Daddy who, contemplating the bad dreams Milo shared, stew about him throughout the day. Meanwhile, Milo quickly makes new friends, aces his counting, and brings a pal home on the bus. With her signature blend of humor and heart, Wells gives the concerns of parents and offspring a fresh twist en route to an abrupt ending; Mama waiting at the bus stop with binoculars is among the numerous amusing scenarios. Ages 4-8. (June)

PreS-K--On the night before kindergarten, Milo, a gray and white kitten, is worried. What if his nightmares of arriving at school wearing nothing but red rubber boots, forgetting how to count past five, or being trapped on a runaway school bus come true? Mama and Daddy reassure Milo that at school he'll make new friends and expand his vocabulary, but perhaps the feline parents should have saved a bit of confidence for themselves. Milo's school anxiety is quickly overshadowed by Mama and Daddy's growing worries, illustrating that grown-ups sending children off to school can experience their own fears. Once at school, Milo is at ease, comforting his anxious classmates, sharing snacks with new friends, and demonstrating how to count up to six using food in the lunchroom. The story wraps up quickly, leaving Mama and Papa concerned about the potential for any school bus malfunctions, while Milo and a new friend safely ride the bus home with a hankering for Mama's homemade pizza. While the ending may feel incomplete for grown-ups, young readers will likely overlook the cat parents left worriedly waiting for the bus to arrive and be eager to know if the kittens are rewarded with their cheesy after-school snack. Wells's signature illustrations colored with watercolor in pale hues and outlined in whiskerlike, thin black ink depict a wholesome world of homemade meals, Sunday crosswords, and police officers waiting to save the day. VERDICT A new school story with a classic vibe to add to Wells's time-honored and prolific cast of whiskered characters.--Emily Brush