Funny, warm, endearing and good-hearted tales about the ties between family and friends who help make a community strong. Penelope Porcupine is new in town and does things differently from the other kids. Suzy Ducken thinks Penelope is interesting and tries to bring her into her nest of friends - Jack Quacker, Corky Turtle, Emily and Ollie Marmut. But Penelope is new and new kids don't have it easy. Thankfully for this little prickly and shy porcupine, she's got Suzy on her side.

“Back to School? Cool” teaches children that being different is okay and having different ideas then other people is actually refreshing. Many students are nervous for the first day of school, especially if you are a new student to the school, but Suzy Spafford illustrated to students that the first day of school is nothing to be nervous about. You make new friends and do fun projects during the school year. Even if you are different, like Penelope in the story, you should embrace your differences. Others will learn to understand your differences too and like you for them. Although Penelope acted different than everyone else, the students appreciated her differences and really liked her. ( )