Graduation Groove

A bubbly kindergartner crew of varying abilities and skin tones keeps a jaunty beat during preparations for their continuation to first grade. Heling and Hembrook highlight anticipation as the kids don blue caps and gowns, pose for photos, and remember how far they’ve come in lines that highlight kindergarten experiences: “Got the graduation groove/ in my kindergarten heart./ Know my letters and my numbers,/ feeling first-grade smart.” For one brown-skinned child getting ready to take the graduation stage, everything freezes momentarily as “first-grade jitters” take hold. Though “I’ll really miss our hamster/ and projects that we made,” the friendly faces of family and an enthusiastic audience help the figure get things back on track, head to the class party, and look forward to a new year. Rivera Sonda’s sunny illustrations add to the book’s friendly, assuring vibe about moving on from—and into—beloved experiences. Ages 3–6. [em](Mar.) [/em]