Review: Goodbye Kindergarten by Andrea Williams

GOODBYE KINDERGARTEN

by Andrea Williams

Illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre

Mascot Books

Picture Book

ages 3 to 7

Kindergarten has been full of fun and learning, but the school year is almost done. It’s time to say goodbye to your teacher and friends.

No need to be sad! Celebrate the special people, places, and things in your classroom, and all the knowledge you’ll take with you into first grade!

Available directly from Mascot Books here!

       

MY TIDBITS

These pages bring positive vibes, warmth and understanding to those leaving Kindergarten for the last time before summer break heads into the first school year.

It's the last day of Kindergarten. The very last day. While nervousness mingles with wonder of thoughts at what the next stage of school might bring, it's first time to say goodbye to all of those familiar things. Each page offers a variety of goodbyes to things this age group might be familiar with in their own Kindergarten rooms. Goodbye pencils, paper, glue and so much more. The list is long, and at the end, it wraps up with a touching message which makes it clear that goodbye is sad but so much more than that, too.

The illustrations in this book are cute and sweet and friendly and full of life. While there are very familiar objects, the portrayed children are so cheerful that it's hard not to smile with them. And the teacher is a bubble of happiness and care, too. All negative and sad moments are kept at bay as the memories of the past year are briefly awakened and waved goodbye to.

At first, I found it a bit simple and strange to list things to say goodbye to, which young children will definitely be seeing again when they hit that first year of school. But by running through the list, it hits upon items leaving kindergarten kids have learned to be around every day. While reading this, I can see them coming up with extra things on their own...so, be ready for a few shout-ins when using this as a read-aloud. The ending is sweet and syrupy, but it adds in all that warmth sad kids will need to hear. 

This is a cute book for those leaving kindergarten and works well as a read-aloud or in smaller settings as well.


And here she is...

After graduating from ODU with a B.S. in Exercise Science and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education, Andrea became a kindergarten teacher. The idea for Goodbye Kindergarten came from a project she worked on during her last year as a kindergarten teacher at Hillpoint Elementary School.

Andrea originally wrote this book as a parting gift for her kindergarten class. She hopes it will help more students learn to say goodbye to the school year and hello to new beginnings