Clyde Goes to School

by Keith Marantz, Larissa Marantz (Illustrations)

Meet Clyde, a lively (and often worried) hippo with a heart of gold who's always eager to go on new adventures, in this fun-filled 8x8!

Clyde can't believe his mom his making him go to school. He has so much fun at home--what could a classroom possibly have to offer? As his mom lists all the activities he'll get to do, Clyde only imagines the worst possible outcomes. He's so caught up in what could go wrong that he's determined to turn around and go home. But when he comes across his kind teacher and the butterfly habitat she's carrying inside, it might just be enough to convince him to stay!

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2020

Reviews

[Charlene]

Clyde is a very cute hippo with a lot of worries! Like many children, Clyde has #anxiety issues with his first day of school. His active imagination makes his worries greater than they appear. The fun and colorful illustrations help readers to understand and empathize with Clyde's perspective, and share in his joy at overcoming his fears. A great book to help children going to kindergarten for the first time.

[Scoot]

New social situations can be so scary! But Clyde does a great job overcoming his #anxiety and finds out that sometimes social situations can be fun, too! Especially when you make friends. Gorgeous illustrations and adorable characters really make this story pop. Fantastic book for over thinkers, young and old!

[Abi Cushman]

Kids will love this little purple hippo! Not only are the illustrations bright and engaging, kids will definitely relate to Clyde's first day of school jitters. I especially love that the fact that although Clyde is a bit of a worrier, it's just one part of him - it doesn't define him. An adorable, and soothing, introduction to Clyde, as he goes on his first adventure to school. Can't wait for more in the series!

[Candy Wellins]

Perfect for young children nervous about starting school, Clyde Goes to School tells the story of a purple hippo who is happy at home and doesn’t want to go to school. His mom’s descriptions of school cause new fears, but a friendly teacher and inspired first-day lesson save the day and help change Clyde’s mind.

[Carrie Finison]

Clyde is one worried little hippo! He has fun at home but the idea of going to school makes him anxious. Even as his mother describes the fun things he’ll get to do at school, Clyde’s imagination runs away with him and he pictures disaster at the paint table and at snack time – humorously depicted in the illustrations. But Clyde’s wise teacher knows how to help him ease into his day, and when he arrives in the classroom he finds fun activities and friendly faces. This book is a perfect first-day-of-school book for the preschool set, introducing a new character with many fun adventures to come.

[Hope Lim]

This child friendly story is about a purple hippo, Clyde, who has butterflies in his stomach on his first day of school. Readers follow this sweet and cheerful hippo on his every day life and on first day of school. The colorful illustrations open up fun filled scenes, engaging readers as events unfold. I love Keith Marantz and Larissa Marantz’s deliberate yet brilliant attention to the element of butterflies, which continue as a sweet theme in the book. This book is a great addition to the first day of school collection.

[Christina Soontornvat]

Clyde the Hippo is our new favorite character in our house! He is so sweet and caring to his family and friends, and he's the perfect stand in for a child who might actually be feeling really nervous about going to school. I know my girls would have loved to read this in their Kindergarten or preschool days. The illustrations are so bright and fun, with lots to notice among the details. We love Clyde and hope to see more of his adventures.

[Elle Pierre]

Clyde is a kind and curious hippo with a big imagination. He’s also a bit of a worrywart. On his first day of school Clyde can’t help but feel anxious about what to expect, anticipating the worst. In the classroom, however, he discovers that school can be fun, and even makes a few new friends along the way. I loved this book! The text is snappy and to the point, and the colorful pastel-like illustrations are bursting with charm. Preschoolers will enjoy this sweet story about embracing new experiences, even when it’s kind of scary.

[Rubin]

Clyde is a great avatar for little ones who might worry and struggle with anxiety fueled by an overactive imagination. They'll relate to Clyde exaggerated fears and feel relief alongside Clyde when he discovers his first day of school isn’t as frightening as he worried it might be. A great book for kids who are about to start school!

[Anne]

Clyde is an adorable purple hippo with an overactive imagination and anxiety about what his first day of school will be like. The colorful illustrations invite readers right in as Clyde confronts his fears about school and meets new friends. This book is perfect for any reader experiencing first day of school jitters.

[Julie Rowan-Zoch]

Adorable introduction to the first day of school. Clyde lets his imagination worry him that school will not be as much fun as staying home, but a few butterflies and friendly faces make it worth staying all day!

[Joana Pastro]

CLYDE GOES TO SCHOOL is the book I needed when my middle one was starting preschool. Such an endearing and relatable story that gently takes us through Clyde’s fears, anxieties, and expectations, until he finally realizes kindergarten isn’t so bad after all. Actually, it’s a lot of fun!

[Anna Crowley Redding]

This sweet book, so beautifully illustrated, took me right back to the days of sending my first born to his first day of school. We were having an absolutely lovely time at home that was full of wonder and adventure. How would school compare? That's also the central worry little Clyde is facing. With the support of his mother and new teacher, Clyde discovers the wonder in this strange, new part of his young life. This book will help children (and their grown-ups) face those preschool jitters together, with a sense of sweet adventure!

[Angela]

I really could have used this sweet purple hippo when my own little worrier (who also carried a lovey everywhere he went) was starting preschool! Clyde's expressive face and the bright, colorful illustrations, paired with relatable and straightforward text, will do a lot to ease the nerves of kiddos starting school. There's a lot to relate to in Clyde, and I can see this becoming a long-running and popular series!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Clyde the Hippo : Clyde Goes to School by Keith Marantz, illustrated by Larissa Marantz PICTURE BOOK Penguin Workshop (Penguin, Random House), 2020, $9. 9780593094464

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Clyde is a very happy little hippo. He is very busy at home doing lot of things, so he doesn't understand why he should have to go to school. His mother assures him that school will be fun - he can play hide and seek, and do puzzles and crafts, and there will even be a snack! Of course Clyde worries that these things will be scary and difficult and embarrassing. But when the teacher meets him outside and lets Clyde carry in the butterflies, his first day of school turns out great.

Great talking points for the child who is unsure about their first day of school. I loved that the illustrations mirrored Clyde's worries rather than his mother's descriptions. The text is sweet and I can't get enough of Clyde's expressions, he is the cutest!

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Colleen]

Kind, curious, anxious Clyde likes his life at home very much. He does NOT need to go to school. But as this sweet back-to-school story unfolds, Clyde discovers that many of the things he likes about home, can be enjoyed at school, too—with friends! This is a must-read for children who struggle with anxiety or fear going to school. After spending some time with Clyde, they may find they’re not so scared after all.

[Lisa]

Clyde is a very happy little hippo. He is very busy at home doing lot of things, so he doesn't understand why he should have to go to school. His mother assures him that school will be fun - he can play hide and seek, and do puzzles and crafts, and there will even be a snack! Of course Clyde worries that these things will be scary and difficult and embarrassing. But when the teacher meets him outside and lets Clyde carry in the butterflies, his first day of school turns out great.

Great talking points for the child who is unsure about their first day of school. I loved that the illustrations mirrored Clyde's worries rather than his mother's descriptions. The text is sweet and I can't get enough of Clyde's expressions, he is the cutest!

For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Vicky Fang]

CLYDE GOES TO SCHOOL is a great book for little ones who are nervous about going to school. The story is sweet and encouraging, with a positive message to help kids feel a little less nervous about school. We get to meet Clyde and learn about his worries, and then see how his day at school turns out to be wonderful after all! The tone is both relatable and comforting at the same time. Clyde the Hippo is adorable, with overall illustrations that are friendly, fun, and appealing. This book is perfect for young kids about to start daycare or school!

[Kelly Carey]

The best kinds of butterflies are the ones Clyde finds in his garden, not the ones that make him nervous about the first day of school.

Clyde and his friends are drawn with huggable edges and exuberant expressions as Clyde imagines the joys of school in all the worst ways. This book is a perfect read-aloud for kids getting ready for the first day of school. Parents and teachers will reach for this to help create a space for kids to chat about their own first day butterflies. And everyone will giggle and cheer for the butterflies Clyde actually does find at school!

[Mary Copp]

Clyde is a playful, loving and very worried hippo! He is very anxious about his first day at school. Clyde imagines the worst - about the size of the sandbox and making a mess at the easel! "I think we should turn around," he says to his loving and reassuring mother. Clyde's teacher immediately engages Clyde and she, along with many helpful and eager new friends, make the first day of school a great success! The illustrations are bright and engaging - and Clyde is exceedingly adorable! A perfect first-day-of-school book for all!

[Isabella Kung]

The first day at school is a huge milestone in any child's life, and this book perfectly encapsulates their emotional and mental journey. We follow Clyde, an adorable little hippo, who imagines the worst-case scenario for everything his mom is telling him about school. The artwork perfectly illustrates how wild our imaginations can get. Kids who are feeling the dreaded first-day jitters will immediately resonate. I also love how the illustrations carry the butterfly theme throughout the book and changing its symbology from anxiety to excitement at the end.

[Rob Justus]

Clyde’s imagination is as big as himself - the size of a hippo! I can personally relate to the childhood anxiety Clyde feels about starting kindergarten. How even the things you like to do can seem scary in a new environment. This book provides great parenting tips to help you show your little one that maybe preschool isn’t so bad. That maybe it’s a fun place, with fun new friends too! Colourful. Cute and squishy as anything, CLYDE GOES TO SCHOOL is a super solid addition to the bookshelf! (And hopefully somebody starts making stuffies of Clyde soon too.)

[Jen Malia]

My kids love the whole Clyde the Hippo series! Keith and Larissa Marantz have created a lovable hippo character with Clyde. CLYDE GOES TO SCHOOL is a great first day of school book and a wonderful addition to any home or school library. Like Clyde, my kids get anxious about school. Having a character that they can identify with makes the transition to school so much easier. Let Clyde help your kids get ready for school!

[Colleen]

Kind, curious, worrisome Clyde likes his life at home very much. He does NOT need to go to school. But as this sweet back-to-school story unfolds, Clyde discovers that many of the things he likes about home, can be enjoyed at school, too—with friends! This is a must-read for children who struggle with anxiety or fear going to school. After spending some time with Clyde, they may find they’re not so scared after all.

[Sandra]

Much like Clyde, I am very nice to rocks and I spend a lot of time at home worrying. The vibrant, delightful illustrations will give courage to young children that are worried about going to school, as well as encourage compassion in their classmates that might see them worrying. Whether your child is a Clyde or a Toby the Giraffe, they are sure to enjoy this book.

[Beth]

Clyde is so nervous about his first day of preschool that he doesn’t want to go. But when he meets his new teacher and classmates, maybe school doesn’t seem so bad after all. An endearing new picture book character that is sure to appeal to young children.

[Elisa Boxer]

The perfect book for easing back-to-school jitters and holding space for anxiety of ANY kind, really, given these uncertain times. A very comforting read. Adorable and colorful illustrations combine with simple yet relatable text. Parents of preschoolers, add this to your must-read list!

[Gregory Barrington]

We love Clyde! Clyde Goes to School is a perfect beginning of school story for children embarking on their very first day of school (or pre-school). He worries. He wonders. And he has to catch all those butterflies in his stomach. A bright and colorful story with warmth and charm.

[Edward Sullivan]

The digital illustrations are especially disappointing.

[Erika]

3.5