Review by Booklist Review
As in the first Kindergators book, Hands Off, Harry! (2011), Wells explores social issues at play in kindergarten. This story deals with temper tantrums and is told in flashback as Harry regales his parents with what happened at school. Miracle had three meltdowns, from not sharing her snacks (and getting caught), making a mess at the lunch table, and not getting to be the leader. Miss Harmony and Miracle's fellow alligator classmates found lots of ways to help her smile again a feel-better song, a proffered treat, explanations, and a distraction (line dancing). Wells' textured, mixed-media collage illustrations capture gator body language and childhood emotions in an accessible fashion. From the bumpy green alligator skin on the cover to Wells' tips for creating classroom harmony at the end, this will be a hit at story time.--Austin, Patricia Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-This installment in the series features Miracle and her antics at kindergarten. The little gator is sneaky, a bit dishonest, and dissolves into tears at the drop of a hat. Through all of the drama, her friends and teacher help her to understand her behavior and be a better classmate. The story gently focuses on honesty, turn-taking, and teamwork, and is sure to be a hit with teachers and librarians. A guide to creating harmony in the classroom reinforces the lessons of the story. Comical illustrations are cleverly detailed with textured fabric and add levity to a familiar classroom scenario.-Alison Donnelly, Collinsville Memorial Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Harry, star of the first Kindergators book, Hands Off, Harry (2011), relates the school day's dramas to his parents. And was it ever a doozy of a day. Miracle, who brings an unhealthy snack to school and doesn't want to share, spends a good portion of the day sneaking bites. But when the radiator melts the Fudgettes, Miracle melts as well, and not for the last time--her lunch isn't right, she spills her grape juice, she's not the counting-card leader, Miguel steps on her foot. Throughout, her classmates sweetly though unrealistically go out of their way to try to cheer her up and generally let her get away with her whining ways. Her teacher even awards her the Star of Bravery for the one time she counts to 10 and doesn't melt down. No mention is made of her selfishness or breaking of the rules. No doubt, these students and their teacher are models of classroom harmony, but most classes will fall far short of their example. (Wells' backmatter does provide a few tips for teachers on "Creating Harmony.") The gators are as visually distinctive as in their first outing, collaged clothing covering lumpy green skin, and Harry has not changed his active ways, doing flips in the classroom. While more didactic, William Mulcahy and Darren McKee's Zach Gets Frustrated (2012) teaches children to deal with their frustrations rather than depend on others to solve difficulties for them. (Picture book. 3-6) ]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
