You're Wearing That to School?! by Lynn Plourde (review)

Vivacious hippo Penelope is excited about starting school, but her older mouse pal, Tiny, thinks she needs to curb some of her natural tendencies: he wants Penelope to dress low-key, take a boring lunch, and bring a rock rather than a stuffed "baby" toy for show-and-tell. When the first day of school comes, though, a fearless Penelope is decked out in her sparkly rainbow attire, with a big picnic lunch, and her favorite stuffed hippo for show-and-tell—and has a great first day without sacrificing her unique tastes. Sure, this is kind of messagey, but the message is a worthy one, and it's a good model to present to kids who are just starting school themselves. Penelope's avant-garde choices will certainly appeal to kids who think feather boas go with everything, while Tiny's concern is handled with tenderness and compassion—he really believes he's looking out for his friend, not trying to crush her spirit. Clear writing, lively dialogue, and a solid story structure enhance this title's readaloud value as well. Cornelison's slightly soft-focus illustrations are strongly composed, with Penelope's size and verve making her dominate most of the spreads. "Tips for a Happy Hippo First Day of School" offer a few good additional thoughts. Share this before or during the first day of school for an entertaining discussion prompt about individuality.