Kindergarten Kids

by Ellen B. Senisi

Introduces a multicultural group of kindergarteners who show what it is like to go to kindergarten

Genres: School

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1994

Reviews

[Crystal Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children will see into the day of a kindergarten classroom as they read this book; they'll learn about the routine, activities, and social interactions involving the teacher and students. I recommend it.

[Lucy Hall]

Title: Kindergarten Kids
Author: Ellen B. Senisi
Genre: Photography Essay
Theme(s): Formal and Informal Play, Fun, Routines,
Opening line/sentence: (School starts when the bell rings. The kids come into the classroom and say hello to their friends and their teacher, Mrs. Simeon. Mrs. Simeon says good morning to everyone, too)
Brief Book Summary: (A book about a real kindergarten class with real photos. It shows busy kindergarten children as they go through a whole day. The kids do fun activities. It shows their favorite toys to play with, the routines, and jobs they do. Also the not so good times that sometimes happen in kindergarten are depicted, but it all gets better when it is time to go outside.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Hazel Rochman (Booklist, November 1, 1994 (Vol. 91, No. 5))
With lots of informal color pictures, this cheerful photo-essay shows 21 kids in a kindergarten class in Schenectady, New York, on a typical day. Girls and boys play with everything from computers to blocks; they learn the alphabet and how to follow rules; they dress up, say the pledge of allegiance, listen to stories, make music and art together, clean up, and talk about the myriad things that make up their world. Sometimes they even have a bad day. This isn't as handsome as Howe's recently updated When You Go to Kindergarten. The design here is sometimes cluttered and confusing, with several activities pictured on every page. Still, kindergarten is a lot like that, anyway, with all kinds of things happening at once; and this inexpensive paperback will help prepare preschoolers for all the opportunities that are opening up for them. Category: For the Young. 1994, Scholastic, $2.50. Ages 3-5.
(PUBLISHER: Scholastic, PUBLISHED: 1994.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
The numerous photographs depicting an entire day at kindergarten invite the preschooler to become immersed in the many activities and encourages questions and comments. In general, it is a multicultural, non-sexist approach told from the point of view of the children. Kindergarten becomes an exciting and inviting place as the various activities caring adults are portrayed in pictures and text. A nice introduction for the preschooler anticipating their first school transition and a vehicle for discussion between parent and child. 1994, Scholastic, $2.50. Ages 4 to 6.
(PUBLISHER: Scholastic, PUBLISHED: 1994.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: (I didn’t think about it myself, but the second review points out how diverse this kindergarten is which it is really cool to see. They all play with everybody. They both mention the variety activities they had available in the classroom.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: (The photos in this book are colorful and clear. It reminds me of scrapbook albums. The pictures taken outside, show a lot of movement and focus on the fun the children are having. Before the first page of the story, the author gives us the scenario of where this school is located and the number of children in the classroom. On the back of the book, we can read comments the children from this class made.
Consideration of Instructional Application: (After reading this book to the kindergarten class, the teacher can talk to the kids about what they have in common and what are the differences between their class and the kindergarten class in the book. Also, teacher can take pictures of kids doing different activities and make a class book. Kids have to help with the captions to explain what is happening in the picture, and the teacher can write the captions on the bottom of the pictures.

[Jennifer]

I like this book because it has real pictures. My students like looking at it because they can identify with things the children are doing. It's funny because they ask me who the kids are that they see in the book. I use this book in my classroom to show my students that they are preparing to be Kindergartners in a couple of years and how much fun it will be.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keelin says 4 stars and Keegan says 5!! Keelin is going into Pre-K at the grade school this year instead of Head Start. The book talked a little about learning and following rules and listening to the teacher. She needs to hear that these days.