About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling anxious about starting preschool or kindergarten, or if they have spent the afternoon playing school with their stuffed animals. This gentle story follows Emily Elizabeth as she sets up a classroom for Clifford and his puppy friends, modeling the daily rhythms of school life in a low stakes, imaginative setting. By watching familiar characters practice sitting in a circle, sharing stories, and playing at recess, children can process their own school-day expectations through the lens of play. It is a perfect choice for ages 4 to 6 to build confidence and excitement about becoming a big kid, using humor and friendship to turn the unknown into something fun and predictable.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. This is a secular, straightforward, and highly optimistic look at school routines.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler who is nervous about the transition to a formal classroom and needs a 'practice run' with familiar, non-threatening characters to ease their transition.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. It is helpful to point out the parallels between Emily Elizabeth's backyard school and the child's actual or future school. A child expressing fear about not knowing what to do at school or a child who is struggling with the concept of following a group schedule.
