Day 102: Ruby's School Walk

Looking for a great book to help ease those back-to-school jitters?  Check out Ruby's School Walk!  We recently checked this adventure of a tale out of the library and my son has asked to read it multiple times a day ever since.  Follow Ruby and her mom as they walk to school, letting Ruby's wild imagination lead the way.  Ruby's mom, of course, sees nothing out of the ordinary along the way, but not Ruby!  She sees a rushing river full of crocodiles, a haunted house full of ghosts, a tiger hiding behind a wall, and an enchanted forest where mighty beasts loom and lurk.  Fortunately for Ruby, she manages to successfully ward off all of these fears on her walk to school... but will she be able to muster up the courage to walk through her classroom door?  With fabulous illustrations by Miriam Latimer, Ruby's School Walk is reassuring to children who are nervous about starting school and an all-around fun read for any child.  We especially love the map of Ruby's walk on the inside covers of the book, and just might have to make our own map of the things we pass on our way to school next week!  I also love the way Ruby's mom reassures her about the adventures she will have in school that day and the closing illustration of Ruby sitting amongst her "classmates."   The text has some good vocabulary words for preschoolers, too, such as my son's favorites, crouch and prowl.  (We can't get through a reading of the book without him jumping off the couch to leap and bound like Ruby chasing away the tiger.)  And parents, definitely check out the accompanying parent's guide created by author Kathryn White entitled, "Packing Backpack, Lunchbox, and Confidence: Tips for Sending Children Off to School."  According to an interview with White, "Every child experiences some trepidation about starting a new chapter of their lives, and beginning school is no exception. When you encourage children to use their imaginations to face their fears, they can overcome them and look forward to a new adventure, such as starting school. The tips in the guide are based on my own experience raising five children and creating imaginative stories that turn worries into fun."  White's guide offers some valuable advice and great ideas for applying the story to your own school experiences.  Good luck heading back to school, everyone!