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Countdown to Kindergarten
It's just ten days before kindergarten, and this little girl has heard all there is to know--from a "first grader"--about what it's going to be like. You can't bring your cat, you can't bring a stuffed animal, and the number one rule? You can't ask anyone for help. "Ever." So what do you do when your shoes come untied--and you're the only one in the class who doesn't know how to tie them up again?
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
1 person is currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Alison McGhee
54 books402 followersAlison McGhee writes novels, picture books, poems, and essays for all ages, including the just-published THE OPPOSITE OF FATE, a novel, and the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller SOMEDAY, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She lives in Minneapolis and California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
August 7, 2011
What I didn't like: how anxious the child was about so many things that were also illustrated (even though they did not come to fruition) and, predictably, the reaction from my 5 year old pre-kindergartner was that it caused anxiety about issues that hadn't even occurred to her.
Only recommended for those who are EXTREMELY anxious about school and/or hung up on the tying-of-the-shoes issue. Though it is presented as an example, most 5 year olds think quite literally.
The one-note story becomes repetitive yet still slightly frightening, and loses significance somewhere along the way.
Only recommended for those who are EXTREMELY anxious about school and/or hung up on the tying-of-the-shoes issue. Though it is presented as an example, most 5 year olds think quite literally.
The one-note story becomes repetitive yet still slightly frightening, and loses significance somewhere along the way.
May 28, 2009
Hmmm…probably it was not a good idea to read this to my daughter, who is already nervous about starting kindergarten because there will “be too many kids there” and she won’t get “enough personal attention.” Now it gave her new things to worry about...
August 22, 2011
I echo another reviewers comments wholeheartedly. I'm sure my review will be so similar it'll be easy to tell which I'm talking about.
Like the other reviewer, I would ONLY recommend this for children who are already VERY nervous about starting kindergarten. That was my first thought after finishing this. And actually, after thinking on that some, I don't know that I'd really even recommend it then. And I'll tell you why. The sheer number of things this kid is nervous about, some of them just aren't even the things the average kid (most readers or listeners of this book) would think about! Why put them out there in this way?!
I mean, the ending shows all the nervousness and worrying was for nothing but this kid wasn't just doing the normal amount of worrying. She wasn't the average amount of nervous. She's borderline suicidal. I'm surprising she was doing a line of some downer to calm herself down at night. Or a line of coke to get through the days prior to school starting.
People walk to their death with less turmoil than this girl is portrayed with.
It's really sad because the illustrations aren't bad, they're average, nice and fun and bright and engaging. If you take out the parts hit by my comments above the story would be a decent one and I think the author has what it takes to do that. I'm sure McGhee was probably trying to help pre-kindergartners ease their stress but seriously, I'd bet that for every one kid this "helps" it "hurts" nine more. It's to that extreme.
Like the other reviewer, I would ONLY recommend this for children who are already VERY nervous about starting kindergarten. That was my first thought after finishing this. And actually, after thinking on that some, I don't know that I'd really even recommend it then. And I'll tell you why. The sheer number of things this kid is nervous about, some of them just aren't even the things the average kid (most readers or listeners of this book) would think about! Why put them out there in this way?!
I mean, the ending shows all the nervousness and worrying was for nothing but this kid wasn't just doing the normal amount of worrying. She wasn't the average amount of nervous. She's borderline suicidal. I'm surprising she was doing a line of some downer to calm herself down at night. Or a line of coke to get through the days prior to school starting.
People walk to their death with less turmoil than this girl is portrayed with.
It's really sad because the illustrations aren't bad, they're average, nice and fun and bright and engaging. If you take out the parts hit by my comments above the story would be a decent one and I think the author has what it takes to do that. I'm sure McGhee was probably trying to help pre-kindergartners ease their stress but seriously, I'd bet that for every one kid this "helps" it "hurts" nine more. It's to that extreme.
April 1, 2011
This book is so adorable, I laughed mt whole way through it. Tells the story o fa little girl counting down the days to kindergarten and all the rules. She's heard from the 1st graders (the big kids). This would be a good book to read on the 1st day of school.
March 9, 2020
Dryly amusing with illustrations better than the story. I didn't follow the "I'm in Big Trouble" lead-in. Big Trouble as in Unsolved Problem vs Mom is Mad because I Filled My Shoes with Cat Food. Good for vocabulary but meh.
Excellent illustrations like these:
Maple syrup (new squishy bottle)
Sign the cat is holding: Sho-lase surprize 1. Syrip 2. Catshup 3. Toothpaist
The issue I have with this book is the Reading Counts question which asks:
What was the little girl worried about one day before school started?
A. She did not know how to tie her shoes.
B. She would miss the bell.
The story has the child worrying every day for ten days that she still does not know how to tie her shoes. For the answer to T minus one day before school started, we picked "A". In fact, the answer was "B". See if you can pick it out of this excerpt:
ONE DAY BEFORE KINDERGARTEN! (read for effect in one breath very, very fast) What if they don't let me have playground time and no one gets to see me jump rope counting backwards from ten? What if they don't let me have snack time or I miss the last bell and get locked in school all night without you, Puddy, and I miss my dinner and my dessert and my bedtime story and my goodnight kiss? I'm DOOMED!
Reading Counts Question Formulators: ...eye roll x 3...
Excellent illustrations like these:
Maple syrup (new squishy bottle)
Sign the cat is holding: Sho-lase surprize 1. Syrip 2. Catshup 3. Toothpaist
The issue I have with this book is the Reading Counts question which asks:
What was the little girl worried about one day before school started?
A. She did not know how to tie her shoes.
B. She would miss the bell.
The story has the child worrying every day for ten days that she still does not know how to tie her shoes. For the answer to T minus one day before school started, we picked "A". In fact, the answer was "B". See if you can pick it out of this excerpt:
ONE DAY BEFORE KINDERGARTEN! (read for effect in one breath very, very fast) What if they don't let me have playground time and no one gets to see me jump rope counting backwards from ten? What if they don't let me have snack time or I miss the last bell and get locked in school all night without you, Puddy, and I miss my dinner and my dessert and my bedtime story and my goodnight kiss? I'm DOOMED!
Reading Counts Question Formulators: ...eye roll x 3...
April 11, 2021
Book Title: Countdown to Kindergarten
Author/Illustrator: Alison McGhee
Reading Level: K
Book Level: PK-1
Book Summary:
The little girl in the book is starting kindergarten in a few days and she is worried because she doesn't know how to tie her shoes. She stresses about it for 10 days and tries different stregies to both learn to tie her shoes and get out of going to school. In the end she finds out that she is just like everyone else and everything is okay.
Bookshelf Genre: Picture Books
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization - The story goes into full gear at the very beginning and is a little difficult to follow but after the first few pages the sequence is very good and builds suspense as you wait to find out what is going to happen.
Voice - This book has a great voice, you can feel the anxiety building all through the story for this little girl who is terrified of being behind her other classmates. You can also feel the relief at the end when she figures out that most other students are at her same level and it is okay to ask teachers and adults for help.
Author/Illustrator: Alison McGhee
Reading Level: K
Book Level: PK-1
Book Summary:
The little girl in the book is starting kindergarten in a few days and she is worried because she doesn't know how to tie her shoes. She stresses about it for 10 days and tries different stregies to both learn to tie her shoes and get out of going to school. In the end she finds out that she is just like everyone else and everything is okay.
Bookshelf Genre: Picture Books
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization - The story goes into full gear at the very beginning and is a little difficult to follow but after the first few pages the sequence is very good and builds suspense as you wait to find out what is going to happen.
Voice - This book has a great voice, you can feel the anxiety building all through the story for this little girl who is terrified of being behind her other classmates. You can also feel the relief at the end when she figures out that most other students are at her same level and it is okay to ask teachers and adults for help.
March 3, 2025
This is a humorous book about a little girl who is very fearful to start Kindergarten in 10 days after hearing from a 1st grader that there are a lot of strict rules, especially knowing how to tie your shoes all by yourself. Throughout the book, she does everything she can to ruin her shoes out of her fear of not being able to do this by herself. She struggles with the idea of change and starting school without knowing how to do these things yet, but eventually learns after the first day that it is not that scary or as strict as she thought. This can be used in a classroom around the first few days of school to make the students feel comforted in their feelings.
September 21, 2018
This book, centered around a young girl who is nervous about her upcoming first day of kindergarten, was entertaining! She has a multitude of wonders regarding her untied shoes, not being able to bring her stuffed animals, and not being able to bring her cat with her to school. The story has a dry sense of humor, but seems to focus predominantly on the worse aspects of starting kindergarten. I felt as though this might deter younger children from the fun they can have in school once they begin. Though fun to read, this is a book I would be more cautious reading to a younger child.
July 28, 2019
I could definitely see why this would NOT be a good story to read to an already worried kindergartner before school starts. My oldest was a worrier and this would have planted new seeds of worry for sure. However, as a k-6 librarian, I could see this being a fun read-aloud during the first week or 2 of school. I think students could relate to the child in the story and agree that many of their worries were put to rest as well once they got settled.
August 8, 2020
I thought this was a cute book. Would I read it to my kindergarteners? Maybe. It's about a little girl who is nervous about going to Kindergarten, as most first year students are. I think it's relatable and funny. The main character finds ways to hide her belongings thinking then, she wouldn't need to go. In the end, the realizes all her fears and worries are shared by her classmates and she will be fine after all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2022
The humor in the picture book, Countdown to Kindergarten, will fill the room with giggles and clear the room of any anxiety about being ready to start school. Pictures by Harry Bliss add to the funny.
December 16, 2022
After hearing all the “rules” of kindergarten she worries about not being ready. For example she doesn’t know how to tie her shoes! She spends the days leading up trying to learn how to tie them but to no avail. Turns out, none of her new classmates do either!
March 12, 2023
This one had Liliana concerned at first...she starts kindergarten next school year and has only ever been responsible for velcro shoes...I told her we would get shoes this summer with laces and practice...and I also told her that it is okay to ask for help!
September 28, 2017
I liked this book, but my daughter (5yo) LOVED this book! She really took to it a little more than a few of the other Kindergarten starter books.
October 13, 2017
Wonderful Kindergarten preparation book. Illustrations are simple and the story is very cute!
January 17, 2018
A kid dreads going to kindergarten because of preconceived incorrect ideas about it.
April 2, 2018
I thought this was a cute book to read to a Kindergarten class on first day of school to calm down those first day at school fears.
April 14, 2018
An endearing story about a little girl’s fears of being prepared for kindergarten.
August 11, 2018
Oh dear this was a definite DNF. Four year old did not like it at all.
As an adult I loved the cat drawings.
As an adult I loved the cat drawings.
April 25, 2020
Enqi said I like it because she is funny, she doesn’t know to tie the shoes.
July 20, 2020
I loved this book because I loved KINDERGARTEN!
Read
May 28, 2022#ReadToNibling
June 8, 2022
What a great book super cute
August 25, 2022
I do NOT like this for a kindergarten read!!! Yuck!
November 7, 2019
This book was very fun to read.
February 24, 2017
I chose this book because I think it is adorable! I myself have anxiety so I related to it. You could use this for a preschool classroom. I don't think I would personally read it because it could cause anxiety for children causing them to worry about things they had not thought about before kindergarten. But for children that you know would not be affected by this, I think its a great book to read to them!
May 1, 2014
Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee and illustrations by Harry Bliss is a picture book for ages three through seven. The story is about a little girl going to kindergarten in ten days and she is worried and anxious about all the stuff she can’t do there. This includes tying her shoes, which is her biggest dilemma.
I while there are a lot of thing I liked about the story I am only giving it three stars. This is because I think it may cause more anxiety for children going to kindergarten than actually relieving it. This may be a book to read the night after the first day of kindergarten. This way some of the child’s stress about school has already been relived and it can open up decision about future growth and expectations for the school year. I do think it’s very interesting that it mentioned you cant bring stuffed animals to school because this one of the main thing I tell my daycare children who are heading off into kindergarten this upcoming Fall. As the children in my daycare get older I try to teach independence and stray from things that will give them anxiety. I think this book shows a contradiction to a stress free transition to kindergarten and new beginnings.
I while there are a lot of thing I liked about the story I am only giving it three stars. This is because I think it may cause more anxiety for children going to kindergarten than actually relieving it. This may be a book to read the night after the first day of kindergarten. This way some of the child’s stress about school has already been relived and it can open up decision about future growth and expectations for the school year. I do think it’s very interesting that it mentioned you cant bring stuffed animals to school because this one of the main thing I tell my daycare children who are heading off into kindergarten this upcoming Fall. As the children in my daycare get older I try to teach independence and stray from things that will give them anxiety. I think this book shows a contradiction to a stress free transition to kindergarten and new beginnings.
May 30, 2008
This one was good enough that we had to buy it. A little girl counts down the last 10 days to kindergarten, nervous each day about a different thing that she's heard will take place in kindergarten. Soren's favorite part was the 10th day away when she heard that there were LOTS of rules to follow, one of which was Not bringing stuffed animals to school. In her mind, she imagines a school policeman with an arm band saying, "Hand over the stuffies." This book was a good introduction to talking about what Soren was nervous about in starting kindergarten. Turns out that he "heard" that 2nd graders always tattle on other kids, and he's nervous that they'll tell on him and get him in trouble.
Good thing we talked about it before he went to school!
Good thing we talked about it before he went to school!
August 8, 2016
It's just ten days before kindergarten, and this little girl has heard all there is to know, from a first grader, about what it's going to be like. You can't bring your cat, you can't bring a stuffed animal, and the number one rule? You can't ask anyone for help. Ever. So what do you do when your shoes come untied, if you're the only one in the class who doesn't know how to tie them up again? Told with gentle humor this lighthearted take on pre-kindergarten anxiety will bring a smile to the face of every child and parent having first-day jitters.
Ten days before the start of kindergarten, a preschooler can not tie her shoes by herself and fears the worst. www.hcpl.net
Ten days before the start of kindergarten, a preschooler can not tie her shoes by herself and fears the worst. www.hcpl.net
February 26, 2014
A perfect book to use for the first day of kindergarten is Countdown to Kindergarten. Alison McGhee counts down the last ten days before the start of kindergarten with a preschooler who cannot tie her shoes by herself. The main character is witty, serious and offers good advice for anyone entering kindergarten. As she counts backwards from ten to the first day of kindergarten, “Velcro Girl” also finds ingenious ways of hiding her shoes while sharing her worries with her pet cat. The illustrations are realistic, detailed and comical. This book would be a great ice-breaker for students and open a discussion of their concerns on the first day of school.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews