Monday, July 20, 2015

Rufus Goes to School by Kim T. Griswell, Valeri Gorbachev [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781454904168
Sterling Children's Books
About the book: All Rufus Leroy Williams III wants is to go to school so he can learn to read his favorite book. But there's one problem: he's a pig and Principal Lipid says: “NO PIGS IN SCHOOL!” Rufus even gets a backpack, a lunchbox, and a blanket to prove he's ready. But Mr. Lipid won't budge. Is there ANYTHING Rufus can do to change his mind? Kim Griswell and illustrator Valeri Gorbachev have created a love letter to reading that's also a charming, original, and child-friendly first-day-of-school story.

My thoughts: Delightful Rufus is back again! Rufus really wants to go to school and he finds there is a "no pigs allowed" rule. He begins to persuade the principal that he really and truly is ready for school even if he is a pig. You see, Rufus dearly loves books. Turning the pages of his favorite books is a joy to him but he needed to learn to read the words - that's what school is for.

I just love the expressive, colorful drawings that capture the drool expressions and depict the scenes so aptly. The illustrations will provide ample opportunity during read-aloud sessions to engage the child in discussions that will increase his/her attention to detail.

What is "in" this book? I see a deeper, underlying theme of discrimination. "No pigs allowed" because of a variety of reasons. This isn't addressed, but can be during read-aloud sessions when ultimately the discrimination is set aside because the real reason to go to school is to learn. This is the strong ending and no one is discriminated against learning.

I see the theme of "having things" as a qualifier for attending school given a backseat by the truth that school is for learning - Rufus wanted to learn to read the words in his beloved picture book.

I see the story ending on the high note of students enjoying all aspects of school.

It is BACK-TO-SCHOOL time and this would be a good read at home for the kids starting school, in school libraries for read-aloud sessions, and for shelving at libraries everywhere.

Another delightful "Rufus" book that Chat With Vera heartily recommends.
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review and the opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

10 comments:

  1. I think books are very important to preparing a kid for school. Books improve vocabulary, teach sentence structure, introduce children to sounds (rhymes), provide examples of how people interact, etc. I don't really know which types are suitable for preschool kids. Not Crime and Punishment, but other than that...*shrug* :-)

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  2. They are fundamental to all the skills that they will need to develop and books with vocabulary and numbers as well as emotional (feelings) things are extremely important in the well-rounded development of a child.

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  3. I think reading daily to preschoolers is very important to preparing them for school. Picture books are great we especially love Dr. Seuss books.

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  4. It is a great help to use to books to get your child ready for school. It can be a scary time for them and having the chance to see it ahead of time in a book can work wonders

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  5. This book looks really cute. Thanks for linking up at Booknificent Thursday this week!
    Tina

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  6. Another fun back to school read.

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  7. I think that books are important to prepare a child for school but we read anything from "junk" books about popular characters to comic books to books that teach manners. There are a lot of books on sale or on display at the library this year for back to school. The subject is on the kids minds so it is interesting to them.

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  8. I have a library in my school room. It consists of MANY different types of books. I believe in Living Books that have little twaddle in them. We tend to veer away from books that don't have a moral lesson of some sort. Reading is the foundation to everything else in life.

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  9. I perceive books to be very important in preparing a child for school. I think picture books are suitable for the preschool child.

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  10. I really love reading one of my friends wants to be an auther and illistrator

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