Eliza’s Kindergarten Surprise by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by Nancy Spier

When Eliza’s mother drops her off at Kindergarten for the first time, Eliza cries.  So her mother gives her a special kiss and puts it into Eliza’s pocket.  As Eliza starts her day, her pocket feels very empty, but she finds two buttons that look like her mother’s eyes and put those in her pocket.  Throughout her day, Eliza finds all sorts of small objects that remind her of her mother.  By the end of the book, Eliza has quite a collection, and suddenly knows exactly what to do with it. 

The illustrations are very clean and bright.  I do wish that some of the background children at school were of different races, but it remains a very friendly book.  The use of a pocket being empty to symbolize that empty feeling inside is very nice. 

This is a very positive book about starting school, showing that children can cope in many different ways.  Perfect to share with children starting either preschool or kindergarten, this book will allow a discussion about fears to start.

Recommended for ages 4-6.

Mine by Mathilde Stein, illustrated by Mies van Hout.

A clever little tale of a ghost and a girl.  When Charlotte discovers a ghost in her bed hogging the covers, she tells him he can stay but must share the bed.  Then in the morning Charlotte listens again and again to the ghost declaring that everything thing is “Mine!”  Charlotte stays patient, using lots of parenting techniques to get the little ghost to learn to share.  Slowly, the ghost learns that sharing is actually a lot more fun.  Eventually someone from the castle on the hill comes to the door to ask if Charlotte has seen a greedy little ghost.  But Charlotte declares that the only ghost she knows loves to share.  The little ghost does head back home to the castle and his parents, but sends a friendly note back to Charlotte.

This is a wonderful Halloween book with none of the Halloween holiday in it.  The illustrations are bright and colorful with an interesting mix of strong black outlines and free coloring.  The text has a nice rhythm and style that will be very welcoming to children.  Additionally, this friendly ghost tale is perfect for children who want to have a quieter and less frightening Halloween. 

Recommended as a read aloud for ages 4-6.