Ready for Kindergarten

“You are ready for kindergarten,” proclaims the titular refrain driving Freitas’s supportive instruction on school readiness, which simultaneously models activities for caregivers and propels chirpy prose along. Direct narration seeks to motivate via concept-driven examples of developmental milestones seen as prepping kids for school: “Count the shoes on your feet./ Count the stairs going down.// You have fun with numbers./ You are ready for kindergarten,” one spread suggests, while others emphasize knowledge of body parts, concepts, and an interest in “making/ beautiful messes” via arts and crafts. Andersen’s bright digital illustrations employ bold, shapely geometric graphics. Chronological scenes feature figures of different abilities and skin tones as they awaken and dress, travel to school, and then enjoy an active day of play, preparing rising kindergartners to handily navigate the school year to come. A note to caregivers concludes. Ages 4–8. (June)