New York Times
"a picture book that’s great for reading aloud."
Kirkus Starred Review: On graduation day, a patient teacher leads her class through a guessing game about what has been the best thing about kindergarten.
Mrs. Appleby is proud of her class. They’ve made hats and decorations and learned a special song to sing for their parents. But kindergarten is not over quite yet—there is time for one last, and most important, lesson. “Who can guess what is the best thing about kindergarten?” The students come up with lots of good answers—calendar time, the playhouse center, the block corner, arts and crafts time, math time, the writing center, storytime, recess—but none is correct, although Mrs. Appleby kindly reinforces the accomplishments and enjoyment her students have gained from each of these activities. The guessing game is interrupted by the graduation ceremony, which goes without a hitch, the proud students each doing their parts and receiving their diplomas. And at the end, she finally shares the answer: “You, my students, are the best thing about kindergarten.” The hurried, scribbly feel of Lang’s illustrations lend them the busy, hectic reality of a kindergarten classroom, especially on the exciting last day of school. She neatly captures the messiness and creativity that characterize young children, and her kindergarteners are a nice mix of races and genders.
The best thing about this book? Its reassuring look back at all the things the happy and successful students have enjoyed about kindergarten—equally valuable at the beginning and the end of the school year. (Picture book. 3-5)
Publisher's Weekly - Starred Review
The kids in Mrs. Appleby’s kindergarten class are getting ready to graduate, but there’s time for one last activity: “Who can guess what is the best thing about kindergarten?” she asks. Guesses include the playhouse, the writing center, and recess, and Mrs. Appleby affirms each suggestion: “You are a monkey bar superstar,” she tells a boy named Will, adding, “We still haven’t found the answer” (it turns out to be the children themselves). Leng’s cozy, smudgy-edged art expresses the loving disorder of a kindergarten classroom, and Lloyd’s light touch will help readers moving on from kindergarten say goodbye on a celebratory note. Last day of school stories are rare compared to ones about first days, and this one is a keeper. Ages 4–8. (June)
Review from "Inside Schools-Your Independent guide to NYC public Schools"
Kindergarten Countdown, Best Books to Read!
Instead of focusing on fears, this charming book written by a kindergarten teacher highlights the best things about kindergarten and invites readers to come up with their own ideas. “This is a great way to switch from nerves to the positive aspects of the experience,” says Bird. When Mrs. Appleby asks her graduating kindergarten class to tell her the best thing about school, every child has a different answer—the playhouse, the block corner, recess. But Mrs. Appleby surprises them all with hers: the students. The delicate, scribbly illustrations and simple, rhythmic text lend the story a comforting feel.
Flowering Minds - Top 10 Books for New Kindergarteners
On kindergarten graduation day, Mrs. Appleby has one last final question “What is the best thing about kindergarten?” Her students have different answers ranging from calendar time, imagination time, to recess. But readers will keep flipping the pages to find Mrs. Appleby’s secret special answer.
Discover, Explore, Learn - Chosen as one of the 12 Best Books about Starting School
