Five Little Ducklings Go to School

The duckling siblings who faced bedtime in Five Little Ducklings Go to Bed are on their way to school. Each duck wears a stylish headpiece (a blue beanie, a purple brimmed hat) and matching striped ties. Roth writes in an enthusiastic, rhyming song: “ ‘Yippee! Hooray! Oh Boy! That’s Cool!’ Four little ducklings couldn’t wait for school!” But when the fifth duckling expresses anxiety, the others follow suit. Mama duck comforts and assures her ducklings en route to the classroom: “Don’t be sad; don’t be blue./ Teacher will take good care of you.” Sure enough, the teacher—a gangly stork—welcomes the ducklings and their fellow students (a turtle, a beaver, a rabbit, and others) with open wings. An assuring, rhyme-heavy readaloud for first-day fears. Ages 4–8. (May)