Review by Booklist Review
For students and staff of Fine Elementary (A Fine, Fine School), there's much to appreciate, including opportunities for creativity and fun. But one day, beloved, cheerful principal Mr. Keene becomes ill and is unexpectedly hospitalized. Soon, everyone's making get-well cards and banners and even composing a special song for him. That is, until Mr. Tatters appears, the new principal who's only interested in tests in his mission to have "a smart, smart school," which quickly overwhelms and exhausts both students and teachers. But when Mr. Keene recuperates, his arrival back at school--followed by cheerless, exam-obsessed Mr. Tatters' departure--brings happiness all around. And while there may be tests, he also restores time for various creative endeavors, from poetry writing to painting. Interspersed amusing elements amid familiar settings enliven the somewhat lengthy narrative and colorfully detailed, cartoon illustrations. Though the characters can lack depth, and the story can, at times, be over the top, the importance of integrating the arts into the learning experience and its positive impact on the school's kids and adults is evident throughout.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Principal Keene loves his school, and it fills him with joy to see the creativity and color that fill the classrooms as the teachers and students enjoy activities such as painting and reading. When Mr. Keene is rushed to the hospital with appendicitis, everyone is worried, especially Tilly, who loves helping Mr. Keene whenever she can. When Mr. Tatters arrives to take over, he does not like what he finds. What this school needs, Mr. Tatters decides, are tests! Soon every day is full of tests, so much that Tilly doesn't even have time to play after school anymore. Text and illustrations convey the tiresome repetition of the same activity day after day, with the draining of energy palpable on the pages. When they finally have a chance to visit Mr. Keene in the hospital, the students and teachers take the time to share how much they care for him. And once he returns to school, it doesn't take long for the color and joy to return with him. The beautiful digital illustrations are reminiscent of classics such as Sarah Stewart's The Library, and both text and illustrations share a love of creativity and an appreciation for educators. VERDICT This lovely picture book companion to A Fine, Fine School welcomes readers to an incredible elementary school that appreciates creativity and those who make an impact on students' lives.--Selenia Paz
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
School administrators enact different visions of success. Principal Keene is proud of his "fine, fine school," where racially diverse students draw, sing, and read to their hearts' content. But when acute appendicitis results in a hospital stay, the district sends Mr. Tatters--the weedy, pinch-nosed opposite of Mr. Keene's rotund joviality (both light-skinned)--to look over Fine Elementary School in his absence. Tatters disapproves of creativity and implements a strict testing policy, to the dismay of students and teachers alike. Luckily, Mr. Keene's hospitalization proves brief, and upon his return the school goes back to its colorful, inventive self. Student Tillie (who is light-skinned) takes Mr. Tatters around and represents the schoolchildren as a whole but never establishes a personality of her own. This story seems more for adults than children, since students have little to no influence on school policy and don't need to be informed that test-taking is less fun than art and music. Key repeated words ("fine, fine," "smart, smart," "empty, empty, empty," "sad, sad, sad") seem extraneous, as does a lot of the text in this word-heavy read-aloud. Detailed illustrations in a muted color palette maintain a somber tone throughout, even under the rambunctious eye of Mr. Keene. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A staid story about the importance of fun. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
