Countdown to Kindergarten

Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee is the hilarious story of a little girl who is nervous about going to kindergarten because she can't tie her shoes (which is something she thinks all kindergartners are supposed to know how to do). Her father tries to help her, but she's always easily frustrated and ends up finding another creative use of her shoelaces. Each day that she gets closer to kindergarten, she's a little bit more scared until the big day finally arrives. When she gets to school, she's shocked to find out that all of the other children's parents tied their shoes for them too, and realizes that kindergarten is a fun place where you learn to do things with help. This is a great story for sharing with any nervous show more preschoolers that will help to calm their fears about not being ready for school. It's also a good book to share with young children who avoid tasks they find difficult instead of facing them head on. McGhee did a fabulous job of presenting this melodramatic character in a way that allows children to see a little bit of themselves and learn from her story. show less

I liked this book because I thought that young children would really enjoy it. The main message that I got from the book was to not worry about the future. The little girl spent so many days before kindergarten worrying that she missed out on her last few days of summer. In the end, everything ended up being just fine which made her realize that she had nothing to worry about. As I am someone who struggles with anxiety and worrying, it is reassuring to read a book like this and see that the outcome turns out perfectly fine and more children are in the same position as her than she realized. I think the illustrations go perfectly with the book because they really depict what the author wrote as the text. For younger students who struggle show more with reading, they would definitely be able to use the pictures as context clues to understand that is happening throughout the story even if they were unable to read all the words. The character’s position in the story is believable because most children are nervous for their first day of school so the children will be able to relate well with the little girl in the book. show less

Preparing to go to Kindergarten can be a scary proposition, especially for the little girl in this story who is desperate to learn to tie her shoes before the first day of school, among other things. The author comically shows our young hero and her many worries, which of course all fall away shortly after she arrives in class on the first day. The cartoon illustrations underscore the exaggerated feelings and fearful fantasies the little girl has, ones other apprehensive preschoolers may share as well. This book is sure to encourage those that are worried and tickle those that aren't.

This was a picture book and realistic fiction story book for students who are prepping for kindergarten and even pre school. Content wise, it would be great for students those ages to read with an adult. The story was about a girl starting kindergarten. She was told she had to know how to tie shoes before she went or no one would help her. She was anxious and was having trouble mastering the skill. She has ten days before kindergarten and practices everyday. She also looks for excuses to get rid of her shoes or laces everyday. In the end, she realizes that the teachers will help her learn to tie and feels better. The moral of the story is to not stress about a situation until the time comes. It is important to practice and ask for help, show more also. I like this book because it was humorous, She did anything she could to avoid tying shoes. One day, she decides to use her shoes as a bowl for her cat, Mr. Puddy to eat from. Her dad says "Repeat after me: Bowls are for cat food, shoes are for your feet". She does things like this everyday. She hide her shoes, throws away her laces, and puts her shoes in the bathtub for her rubber duck to play with. show less

Really loved this book. Talked about a common fear a Kindergartner may have, not being able to tie their shoes. Loved that the book has a comic feel to it and the main characters cat is like her sidekick (in figuring out ways to "get rid of" her laces or shoes). The ending of the book was sweet that the teacher helped and was going to teach how to tie shoes, there was a stuffed animal day, and the girl would be able to show off that she can count backwards from ten.
Very uplifting story for children afraid of going to Kindergarten.
This is a story about a young girl who is sharing with the readers her fear of going to Kindergarten. She's worried about if she'll know enough, if she'll have to tie her shoes, and other common fears for show more children her age. She goes through each day, a day closer to her first day of kindergarten, counting down with her cat by her side. At the end of the book she realizes how much fun she had and that there are other kids who can't do some of the things she can't do, as well as things she can do that others can't do (such as counting to 10). show less

A girl tries to overcome her anxiety over the fact that she can't tie her shoes after a first grader tells her that you must be able to tie your own shoes in Kindergarten. McGhee makes the most of a typical childhood situation, and Bliss's illustrations are they're typical wonderful.

Countdown to Kindergarten is about a little girl on her way to kindergarten. She has ten days to learn how to tie her shoes and it is not working for her. Her dad and mom tries to help, but she can not get the hang of it. As the days pass it is getting closer to her first day of kindergarten she believes she is doomed. Luckily, on her first day she finds out that only three children can tie their shoes.
The little girl in the book can relate to many children starting kindergarten for the first time. It is a big change and children will overcome many challenges they believed were impossible.