Sounds Like School Spirit

In this rousing picture book, an unnamed collective “we” begins a call and response, asking the reader to join in: “We say BOOK, you say BAG.” Beneath, a handwritten font spells out “BOOK! BAG! BOOK! BAG!” Emphasizing common school elements that children might encounter—desks, carpet squares, class pets, lunch lines—Fleming’s chant is interspersed with energetic rhymes that encourage kids to share, take turns, and include others as the class proceeds through a day of learning, interspersed with lunch, recess, a rally, and mural painting. Utilizing a soft palette of mostly primary colors, welcoming art by Cummins features dot-eyed humans of varying abilities, religions, and skin tones rendered in gouache, colored pencil, and brush marker, and finished digitally. A simple, spirited readaloud that encourages youngsters to find excitement and community in school. Ages 4–8. (July)