ALA Booklist (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

White and Wiseman have created an engaging set of vignettes that will appeal to young listeners in the process of learning new skills. That process can be exciting but may also cause anxiety, as change can be intimidating. Developing the ability to ride a two-wheel bike means giving up your trusty tricycle. Growing out of your beloved clothes can be upsetting but makes way for new favorites. Most experiences as children grow up are rewarding, such as making your own sandwich or learning to tie your shoes, but that doesn't mean they don't present challenges. Told in well-scanning, rhyming couplets, this book of firsts for the very young covers many experiences that mark the progression toward becoming independent. The charming cartoon illustrations appear on brightly colored pages and range from single to double-page spreads. Children will enjoy seeing what new skills the kids in the book learn, and perhaps will become inspired to attempt a new activity.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

In snappy rhyme and minimum words, White describes various youngsters experiencing transitions (including going from trike to two-wheeler and learning to swim) as they grow: "Loop the laces. / Knot the bows. / So long, / Velcro-covered toes." In the satisfying ending, all the children come together on the first day of school. The digital illustrations are appropriately childlike and reassuringly bold and cheerful.

Kirkus Reviews

A book of firsts and transitions for young kids growing up and becoming more independent.As the seasons change, White and Wiseman follow many diverse children as they experience new changes in their lives. It begins in autumn with a small white child who learns to swing independently by pumping. During winter, a black child says goodbye to an outgrown sweater and hello to a new coat. In the spring, a ponytailed white child says goodbye to an old "preschool trike" and hello to a "big-kid bike." Summer brings great splashes in the pool. Finally, autumn comes back around, bringing new haircuts, shoes with laces, and first days of school. Written in rhyme, the text is short, making it engaging and accessible to young children. The illustrations are simple—some so casual as to look almost like colored doodles. Wiseman leaves the matte backgrounds plain but adds color and details to the characters, bringing them into focus. There is humor: An Asian child with glasses and a huge tuft of snarly hair is initially grumpy about a haircut but smiles at the result. Even though the text is short and illustrations are simple, both are sweet, and this book will give courage to any child feeling a little nervous or scared to try something new.A great read-aloud for any child going through early life changes. (Picture book. 4-6)

School Library Journal (Tue May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

PreS-K This ode to growing up follows a diverse group of preschoolers as they change and learn in the days leading up to their first day of school. One by one, the kids are shown learning new skills such as tying shoes, riding a two-wheel bike, or learning to swim. Others are shown experiencing firsts such as getting a haircut and flying on an airplane. The ending shows the individual kids coming together at the bus stop for their first day of school. The rhyming text lends itself to being read aloud. On a spread showing a girl trying on shoes with laces, the text reads, "Loop the laces. Knot the bows. So long, Velcro-covered toes." The brightly colored, naive-style illustrations add a cheerful positivity to the book. The expressions on the children's faces change from uncertainty, fear, or determination to proud smiles with their accomplishments. VERDICT While there is no shortage of first day of school books or books about childhood milestones, this title combines the topics in a simple, upbeat way. A good addition for larger collections. Kimberly Tolson, Millis Public Library, MA