Don't Go! by Jane Breskin Zalben, Michele Coppola (Editor), Jane Breskin Zalben (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Daniel’s going to nursery school! He has a new classroom, a new teacher, and a brand-new cubby for all his things. But when it’s time for his mother to leave him, Daniel doesn’t want her to go. It takes a very special goodbye—and a reminder that she will always come back—to assure him that he’ll be fine. Now he’s ready to listen to stories, play at the water table, bake pumpkin cookies, and even share his favorite stuffed animal with his new friends at naptime. And when his mom returns to pick him up, he’s ready to tell her all about his day!
Told with warmth and humor, Don’t Go! is the perfect book to share with an apprehensive preschooler. Included are a cookie recipe and helpful tips for parents on starting school.

School Library Journal

PreS-Cozy artwork and a reassuring text make this book a solid choice for quelling those first-day fears. After packing his lunch and his favorite stuffed animal, Daniel and his mother head for preschool. Awed by the big classroom and unfamiliar faces, the youngster does not want his mother to leave. She patiently helps him settle his things into his cubby, holds his hand while he watches the other children play, and promises that she will return for him. With the encouragement of an understanding teacher, Daniel slowly begins to participate in the classroom activities. By day's end, he greets his mother with two pumpkin cookies, a drawing of his friends, and a great big smile. The pen-and-watercolor illustrations feature a cast of colorfully clothed animal characters. Daniel and his mother are elephants, the teacher is a kind-faced dog with long ears, and the other students include a cat and a pig. The scenes are filled with realistic details: shelves piled high with tempting toys, interesting wall charts, and a colorful storytime rug. Zalben depicts an inviting environment and treats Daniel's concerns with understanding and respect, showing readers how feelings of anxious anticipation can be transformed into enthusiasm and contentment. An editor's note provides tips for parents about getting their little ones ready for "the big day." Pair this with Amy Hest's Off to School, Baby Duck (Candlewick, 2001) and Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried (Greenwillow, 2000) to take the edge off a difficult new experience.-Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

The thrill of the first day at preschool and all its attendant worries (for parent and child) are addressed in this compassionate tale. When Daniel sets off, he experiences some trepidation about leaving his mother for a strange new environment. The title phrase soon becomes his mantra as he resolutely clings to his mom. However, with steady reassurance and few strategic comfort items from home, Daniel eventually joins the group. Shortly thereafter, he is able to bid a somber, but tearless, goodbye. A day of play and blossoming friendships leads Daniel to discover the more pleasant aspects of preschool. Zalben's (To Every Season, not reviewed, etc.) honesty and pragmatic tone will put young readers at ease. She addresses Daniel's emotional upheavals without an excess of fanfare, neatly blending his sadness and wariness with intriguing tidbits about preschool life and the prospect of new friends. Readers who do not ease into transitions smoothly will find encouragement in Daniel's dilemma and his resolution of it. Included at the end are a "Checklist for First Day at Preschool," a note from the editor called "Getting Ready for Preschool," and a cookie recipe. Zalben's bright watercolors feature a cast of appealingly anthropomorphic animals; Daniel's mother is a suit-clad, sneaker-wearing elephant, while his classmates are a hippo, cat, and pig. The juxtaposition of familiar animals with very human scenarios is at once comforting and comical. A terrific tale to take the sting out of first-day-of-school separation anxieties. (Picture book. 3-5)

Product Details