Kisses for Kindergarten - Hardcover

Crouse, Livingstone

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1626867038 ISBN 13: 9781626867031

Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books, 2017

Synopsis

Join Stella Isabella Harden and her puppy Buster in this lyrical read-aloud and heartwarming story about the first day of kindergarten.

Stella Isabella Harden
contemplating kindergarten
declared she didn't have to go...
because her puppy told her so.

School is about to begin, and Stella Isabella Harden decides that kindergarten just isn't for her. Instead, she decides to spend the day learning from her puppy named Buster. Together these two adventurers plan a day full of playtime, teatime, nap time, and story time. After every "lesson," Stella gets the best reward: a kiss from her best friend and favorite puppy. But will she change her mind about kindergarten before the first day of school? Join Stella and Buster in this lyrical read-aloud and heartwarming story about growing up.

2017 Mom's Choice Awards, Gold Award Recipient
2017 NAPPA Winner

About this title

About the Author:

Livingstone Crouse has spent the last twenty years either selling, editing, or writing books for children. He's even done all three at once! So recently he decided he'd focus entirely on writing the kinds of books he likes to read—books in verse that are filled with heart, word-play, and lots of laughs. Livingstone lives in a large, 200-year old farmhouse in New York's Hudson Valley with his husband and a dog named Kat. (And you can be fairly certain that Livingstone Crouse is not his real name. But don't tell anyone!)

Macky Pamintuan was born and raised in Davao, a city in the southern Philippines. As a young child, drawing was his favorite pastime and an activity that brought him delight and satisfaction. Early on, his parents discovered that giving him paper and pencil was a sure way to keep him busy, quiet, and out of trouble. He still remembers the day when he successfully drew Mickey Mouse and Superman, a huge breakthrough and a sweet triumph. He moved to San Francisco at age 21 and in 1998 enrolled in the Academy of Art College to pursue illustration. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in December 2003. When not illustrating, Macky enjoys playing basketball, his other true passion.

Review:

"A perfect read for kiddos nervous about their first day of school."―Booklist

"Pamintuan captures this tender girl-and-dog friendship in splashy, cinematic scenes." —Publishers Weekly

"Pamintuan's digital illustrations bring out the duo's love and their exuberance, and he shows each sloppy kiss from Buster to his girl." —Kirkus Reviews

Stella is convinced she doesn’t have to go to kindergarten, since her puppy, Buster, tells her so. But convincing her mom and dad is a problem, until she comes up with a solution: “I’ll reimagine kindergarten!” she says, “and really, how hard can that be with my puppy teaching me?” Stella begins with playtime and a romp in the park, followed by Buster’s sloppy kisses. Snack time is paired with light dress-up, nap time turns into more playtime, and more kisses come next. When it comes to story time, Buster demonstrates “wisdom twice his age”—a telltale sign to “let Stella Isabella know to kindergarten she must go.” In Crouse’s delightful kindergarten-readiness tale, lyrical couplets playfully emphasize how the transition from home life to school can be a frightening experience for youngsters. Pamintuan adds warmth and tenderness to frolicsome scenes of the cartoonish figures in saturated colors, by focusing on Stella and Buster’s close-knit relationship. Including a kindergarten-ready checklist, this debut is a perfect read for kiddos nervous about their first day of school.
—Anita Lock, Booklist

About this edition

• Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1626867038
• ISBN 13: 9781626867031
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Pamintuan Macky