Keisha Ann Can! by Daniel Kirk

Bright colored illustrations and a wonderful rhythm raise this picture book to the top of a crowded field of school-related picture books.  Keisha Ann heads through her day at school, introducing children to waiting in line, sharing, helping others, imaginative play and other pieces of a day in a classroom.  The concepts are offered without lecturing in a friendly, bouncy style.  Smiling children of all colors play side-by-side happily on all of the pages.  The focus of the book is on the children rather than the teacher, showing youngsters exactly what a day at school consists of.

Kirk’s text is exactly the right length to be shared with 3-year-olds anticipating heading to preschool or kindergarten classes.  The bounce and movement in the text adds to the pleasure of the book, instilling a feeling of happiness about school.  Kirk’s illustrations are large, vibrant and filled with color.  Perfect for sharing with a preschool group.

Recommended for ages 3-5.  Children will see themselves on the pages and be able to imagine themselves there, which is all one could ask for an introduction to school.

Traction Man Meets Turbodog by Mini Grey

The amazing Traction Man returns and along with his trusty friend Scrubbing Brush brave the Northwest Slope of Mt. Compost Heap.  Unfortunately, on the journey, Scrubbing Brush is caught in the Sinking Mud of the Pond and gets caked in dirt.  While they are resting after their adventure, Scrubbing Brush is replaced by the beeping, talking TurboDog.  However, TurboDog really isn’t up for the sorts of adventures Traction Man has.  He gets sand in his gears, isn’t any good at stealth missions, and only likes to watch himself on TV.  But Scrubbing Brush has disappeared and can’t be found anywhere.  Traction Man is despondent until he hears a very faint bark coming from The Dark and Terrible Underworld of the Bin.  No one has ever survived the garbage bin.  Now it is up to Traction Man to see if he is brave and skilled enough to meet this horror and save his friend.

This second Traction Man book is just as charming as the first.  Grey’s small touches in the illustrations make the world she creates all the more alive and interesting.  Her text begs to be read aloud with a great strong Traction Man voice.  Humor is at the heart of the book, directed at gimmicky sales and not the world of imagination, making the book all the more effective.

Highly recommended, this book is great fun and guaranteed to have children listening intently and laughing along.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.