On the Way to Kindergarten

by Virginia L. Kroll, Elisabeth Schlossberg (Illustrator)

Book

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Back To School, Fiction, Parenting

Paperback

First published April 20, 2006

About the author

Kroll has written numerous children's books since her career started in the mid-80's. Her first book was published in 1992. She started writing when she had her fourth child. Before that, she taught elementary school in Buffalo, NY. She also has written a number of books under the pseudonym Melrose Cooper to mask her tremendous output in so short a time.

Reviews

[Clwseattle]

I loved On the Way to Kindergarten which takes the little bear from newborn to age 5 and kindergarten.

On the Way to Kindergarten is one of about 25 'kindergarten' books I'm reading before I buy one for my grand who starts kindergarten this year. While I enjoyed On the Way to Kindergarten and will read it to my grand, unfortunately it's not the kindergarten keepsake book I'm hoping to find because while it's beautifully done and very sweet, my grand is an October baby and therefore starting kindergarten at 6, not 5.

[Ashley Rutland]

This book was so fun to read to my 4-year-old children at daycare. They could relate to this book so much. As I flipped through the pages and they imagined what would happen next they could put themselves in the shoes of the main character as he grew older and learned more things as time went on. Some things mentioned in the book were relatable to them as well such as brushing their own teeth, blowing bubbles, and swinging at the "big playground" aka park. Seeing them relate and put themselves inside the story made it become more inspiring and engaging.

[Caontie McNeal]

This story book is wonderful for young children to see how many stages they have completed in comparison with the bears, and great big beautiful pictures.

[Carly Szippl]

One of the sweetest "going to kindergarten" books I've read yet, brought a tear to my eye!

[Sara Abdulkarim]

On My Way to Kindergarten is about a young bear that is going to kindergarten. This story starts with Bear as a newborn baby. This continues until Bear is five and he is going to kindergarten. It shows his mother is by his side through his little milestones, such as riding a tricycle (at age 3) and blowing bubbles (at age 4). The story shows the various abilities and exponential growth that Bear goes through. It shows how Bear had a great transformation from when he was one and when he was five. The various differences—talking, walking, riding a tricycle, and singing the ABCs—show his growth. This is a good book to read on the first day of kindergarten as it shows that change is expected and easies this transition. It also shows the story from the point of view of a bear, so that every child can relate.

[Savannah Harpster]

This is an amazing heartfelt book that celebrates and shares the accomplishments that each an every child overcomes as they grow older every year. Such accomplishments include singing the ABCs, losing your first tooth, putting on a puppet show, riding on a carousel and even learning the days of the week. This story is about a little bear that goes through great milestones of a child’s life from birth til the age of five when he goes off to school because now he is a big kid and not a baby anymore. Any young child under the age of five would be able relate to this simple story of how they too were able to do big things by themselves, growing up to be a big kid. This would be a good book for the first week of school for kindergarteners to show how they can do things that they couldn't in the first place and how they have to work hard to learn and do new things.

[Jennifer Balke]

This book is told from a mom’s perspective. It is all about her baby growing up and the things he learned and could do along the way. It talks about many different aspects such as speech, motor skills, and just a child’s development as they get older. It would be great to teach to children to talk about the different stages and abilities you have at each age. It ends by talking about now he is not a baby anymore because he is five and going to school. This would be fun to use in a kindergarten classroom because the children would be able to relate to the story and maybe feel more responsibility to act like an adult versus a baby because they will be able to see all the growth and progress they have made. The pictures are cute and relate to the story and really help to keep the reader engaged in the story.

[Kelly]

Reading this in our countdown to Kindergarten-- it takes Teddy through all of his ages, from newborn to age 5. It ends by telling him he's not a baby anymore, how he's grown so much, and is off to school! Made me shed a tear or two :)

[Zonia]

Sweet story kids will relate to while getting them ready for Kindergarten.

[Susan]

Sappy parents will choke up reading this book to their new kindergartener, I know for a fact!

[Katy Houseman]

Sweet little book about a little bear going to Kindergarten. The book tells us about the little bear from the age one through five. It explains how much he has grown and learned through the years.

[Hope]

Easing the tension and fears of starting kindergarten.

[Lynn]

A good little book for parents & children about to start their journey to kindergarten.

[Cheyenne]

Good for a parent to read to a child before starting Kindergarten.