Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten (Book Review & Giveaway - 8/25)
8/11/2010 09:15:00 AM
As many of you know, my son Jace started kindergarten last week. Since we decided to put the kids back in public school, I've actually been quite nervous about how Jace would do. Jace is an absolute sweetheart, but he can also be as mean as a bull sometimes when he doesn't get his way. I don't want him to be the bully at school, nor do I want him to feel like he's different than anyone else or like he's out of place.That's why I was so excited when I was asked to review the book "Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten" written by Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Daniel Jennewein. It arrived at the perfect time - just a few days before Jace was to start kindergarten. We read the book the afternoon that it arrived, and Jace loved it! The book is a fun look at first-day-of-school jitters from one of the most unique characters I've seen so far.
The book starts out with a buffalo joining a kindergarten class. He's a bit shy, but the other kids take to him right away. The book then goes on to talk about how the buffalo is great at some things in kindergarten, but how he may need some extra help with other things. In one part of the book, the buffalo becomes angry when someone takes his blocks and calls him names. Instead of reacting with his horns in anger, he stops, takes a deep breath, and remembers the Rules for Sharing and Caring.
The entire book is fantastic, and it was exactly what Jace needed to read before he went into kindergarten. It helped calm his fears about the first day, and it brought up situations that made him curious and want to ask questions. We talked for quite some time about how he probably wouldn't see a buffalo in his classroom, but how everyone is special and unique in their own way. And, Jace (being the brilliant boy that he is) asked, "So this means that if someone is different than me, I should still be their friend, right? Different doesn't mean bad, right?" I was so proud. He understood the point of the story.I love everything about this book - the fun story line, the lovable buffalo, the fun illustrations, and the message behind the story. And I love that it's hardcover. It will last so much longer this way, and I plan to hold onto it for when Lucy, Parker, and the new baby take their turns at starting kindergarten.
This book would make the perfect addition to your home library if you've got a child in preschool or entering kindergarten soon, or donate it to your school's preschool or kindergarten classroom. I'm certain the kids would enjoy it. Jace loved the book so much that he's decided to take it along for his first show and tell this Friday. He can't wait to share the book with all of his new friends.
To learn more about the author and the illustrator, you can visit their websites:
Audrey Vernick
Daniel Jennewein
Also, be sure to download a Buffalo Coloring Sheet, check out the Discussion Guide, and become a fan on Facebook.
If you'd like to purchase a copy of Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?, you can do so at the following places online:
Amazon.com
HaperCollinsChildrens.com
Now, want some GREAT news? I get to give away a copy of Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? to one lucky reader! And, there's an added bonus: If you are the winner of this giveaway, you and I will both be entered to win the grand prize: A bag with a personalized buffalo illustration! You could really send your little buffalo off to kindergarten in style with this prize!
To Enter
Head to the author's website and tell me one thing you learned about the author. It can be anything from a fun fact about her to another book that she's written. Anything counts as long as I can tell you visited her website.
*Mandatory. If this is not done, you cannot win.
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Disclaimer: I was contacted by a member of Winsome Media Communications, and asked to do a review and giveaway of their client's product. I received the products necessary to facilitate my candid review, and Winsome Media Communications will provide the prize to the winner. I was in no other way compensated for this post, but both the winner of this giveaway and I will be entered into the grand prize drawing for a personalized buffalo bag.
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August 11, 2010 9:53 AM
the author started writing in college. My son is starting homeschool kindergarten this year and this looks like a fun book!
August 11, 2010 11:35 AM
She gre up in Whitestone NY
frogz60@hotmail.com
August 11, 2010 11:36 AM
The dog she had as a child was not very smart, but the medium sized black dog she has now is smart.
August 11, 2010 3:26 PM
I blogged about it (1)
August 11, 2010 3:28 PM
I blogged about it (2)
August 11, 2010 3:29 PM
I blogged about it !!! (3)
August 11, 2010 3:29 PM
I blogged about it (4)
August 11, 2010 3:30 PM
I blogged (5)
August 11, 2010 3:31 PM
I'm a fan on facebook (Danielle S. P.)
August 12, 2010 4:42 AM
Vernick has a number of books in the pipeline, but I think I like the illustration style of Daniel Jennewein (used in the 2 "Buffalo" books) the best.
August 12, 2010 10:10 AM
I'm now a fan of the book on facebook. (Danielle S. P.)
August 12, 2010 2:24 PM
I would like to attend writing workshop to learn more about "Cliché Busters: Using Fresh Language"
August 12, 2010 7:47 PM
Ooh, this book would be awesome for our family as we have a running "buffalo" joke in our house.
I learned that the author loved Harriet the Spy, which I also read several times as a kid. Loved the dumbwaiter.
August 12, 2010 11:11 PM
Too bad she isn't making any appearances near Ohio, they are mostly all in NJ. This book sounds cute! Thanks
Dena
Dena(at)cincinnaticoupons(dot)net
August 13, 2010 11:37 AM
I learned The New Jersey State Council of the Arts has honored Audrey twice with its prestigious fiction fellowship, in 1999 and 2005 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
August 13, 2010 11:37 AM
I subscribe via email #1 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
August 13, 2010 11:37 AM
I subscribe via email #2 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
August 13, 2010 11:38 AM
I subscribe via google reader jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
August 13, 2010 11:38 AM
I follow you on Twitter (@jkgorcery) jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
August 13, 2010 11:38 AM
button: http://whateverandbeyond.blogspot.com jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
August 13, 2010 11:38 AM
I follow via google friend connect jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
August 13, 2010 12:04 PM
The author also wrote Teach Your Buffalo to Play Drums.
mframe00@yahoo.com
August 13, 2010 7:25 PM
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/jkgorcery/status/21099268281 jk{dot}gorcery{at}gmail{dot}com
August 14, 2010 1:04 AM
Growing up, the author had a not-very-bright small white dog. LOL
August 14, 2010 1:05 AM
I fan'd Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten on FB
Stefany T
August 14, 2010 1:05 AM
I follow you on Twitter
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August 14, 2010 1:06 AM
GFC follower
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August 15, 2010 1:16 AM
harriet the spy is one of her favorite books.
polly
pkeintz@gmail.com
August 15, 2010 1:16 AM
email subscriber #1
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August 15, 2010 1:17 AM
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August 15, 2010 1:17 AM
follow gfc publicly
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