Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis

From the Publisher

Dexter is ready for kindergarten. Sort of. Well, actually, he's maybe kind of a little bit scared, perhaps even terrified, one might say. Because what if he gets lost? Or, what if the teacher is mean? Or, he misses his mom or dad? Or, worst of all, he loses his most important ally, Rufus?


With the same warmth, exuberance, and sly wit that have made her a favorite of booksellers and children, Katie Davis tackles a problem every kid—and parent—has to face sooner or later: first-day fears. And she shows that it's okay to be scared, but that, as Dexter's older sister Jessie says, "Kindergarten rocks!"

Publishers Weekly

Dexter Dugan is about to start kindergarten, and his stuffed dog, Rufus, "is an eensy teensy beensy bit scared" about it. Thankfully, Dex's third-grader sister, Jessie, sees that her brother is really the scared one and sets about cheerfully reassuring her sibling: "Don't worry, kindergarten rocks," says a cartoon bubble extending from Jessie. Dex's first-person narration maintains his false bravado. "I got Jessie to help me make a list of things Rufus was scared about. I'm not worried, though," reads the text, as Jessie busily writes at a desk, a flurry of papers swirling around her ("What if my teacher is mean?" reads one page, "What if I have to go #2?" reads another). The interplay of Dex's narrative, which addresses readers directly, and his cartoon-bubble exchanges with his sister respectfully and humorously covers a new student's cornucopia of concerns. Davis's (Who Hoots?) colorfully crayoned illustrations maintain an upbeat tone, even when Dex loses Rufus in class. The buoyant vignettes of Dex enjoying himself at school will reassure even the most fearful of the pre-kindergarten set. Ages 4-6. (July) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Mary Quattlebaum - Children's Literature

Dexter projects his worries about kindergarten onto his stuffed dog, Rufus, in Kindergarten Rocks! by author/illustrator Katie Davis. Though his big sister, Jessie, acquaints him with the fun in store, Dexter lists all Rufus's fears: getting lost, getting in trouble, having to deal with mean people (the usual five-year-old jitters). "If Rufus gets scared, just give him a hug," says Jessie. Dexter and Rufus have a great first day at school. They build a tower, make art and look at books. But when Rufus goes missing, Dexter discovers his own abilities to lead the search and problem solve. The final pages reveal the boy eager to return and even questioning Jessie about first grade. The humor and expressive round-faced characters will reassure rising kindergartners. 2005, Harcourt, Ages 4 to 6.

School Library Journal

PreS-K-According to Dexter, he is totally calm about starting kindergarten, but his stuffed dog, Rufus, is fearful about the bus finding the way to school, getting lunch, being tagged as the only one who can't read, and getting a mean teacher. (Dexter, of course, isn't worried about anything.) His big sister, Jessie, has prepared him well and offers him some smart advice: "If Rufus gets scared, just give him a hug." Upon arriving, Dexter finds that his best friend from preschool is in his class. Among other activities, he gets to write letters, cook food, and play in the school's imagination station. The library has books to borrow, and the cafeteria is "exactly almost like a restaurant." In fact, Dexter is having such a great time that he forgets about his stuffed friend until he realizes that "Rufus is LOST!" A succession of cartoon illustrations and speech bubbles follows the large-eyed child through his first day of school. A gentle, humorous read to calm the anxiety of younger students. Pair this appealing title with Alison McGhee's Countdown to Kindergarten (Harcourt, 2002).-Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Young Dexter Dugan is just days away from starting kindergarten and his stuffed dog, Rufus, is a teensy bit scared. Dexter's sister, Jessie, having passed through the rigors of kindergarten, is now a third grader and patiently guides him through some of his fears. She helps Rufus, or perhaps Dexter, make a list of the things that worry him about school. A page per fear drifts off the desk and shows the reader, for example, "What if I get lost?" and "Are there mean people?" As it turns out, the teacher is sweet and the activities are absorbing. The lunchroom is like a restaurant and recess is so exciting that all fears are forgotten-until Rufus goes missing. Once again, Jessie lends a hand and by the final bell, Dexter and Rufus are sure that kindergarten does indeed rock. The illustrations, in brilliant shades of crayon-like texture, lend a beguilingly childlike look. Told from a kid's perspective, this is bound to boost confidence at facing fears and is a terrific tool for those setting off on the elementary track. (Picture book. 4-6)

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