Today is a big day! Today, Lena starts kindergarten. She is very excited. But there's just one problem... Lena's shoes are nervous. Lena doesn't want to miss out on her first day of school, but she can't go without her favorite shoes! How can she convince them to be brave?
In the tradition of School's First Day of School, debut author Keith Calabrese and Pura Belpré Award winner Juana Medina share a sweet, universal story about a clever little girl who finds ways to process and manage her own anxieties about starting school while still feeling in control.
"While Dad waits patiently, Lena enlists her headband, who is 'friends with everybody,' to listen to the shoes’ fears ('School is big and loud and different and they’d really rather not go') and remind them of 'other times they were all scared but decided to be brave, together,' such as getting vaccinated and an encounter with a big dog. Lena throws in some reverse psychology — 'Looks like I’ll have to wear my slippers,' she tells her shoes, and it’s off to school for everyone. Medina employs digital cartooning, a mix of fluid ink lines and flat, bright colors, to supply a steady flow of visual energy. Making his debut, talent-to-watch Calabrese brings flawless comic timing and a fresh twist to the back-to-school theme." — Publishers Weekly
Recommended Age | 3 - 5 |
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Author | Keith Calabrese |
Illustrator | Juana Medina |
ISBN | 1534408940 |
Publication Date | Jul 3, 2018 |
Publisher | Atheneum Books for Young Readers |
Language | English |