Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade (review)

First grade seems like an awfully scary place to Posey, and, despite her mother's assurances, this former kindergartner is not looking forward to her first day. Not only will she have to walk from her mom's car to her new classroom all by herself, but she won't be allowed to wear her most favorite outfit, her pink tutu—the one that transforms her from everyday scaredy cat Posey to Princess Posey, brave and bold. When she receives an invitation from her new teacher, however, to join in on the First Grade Parade—in which she can wear whatever she would like—the school year no longer looks so bleak. Greene, a veteran chronicler of the primaryschool experience, offers up a quiet, simple tale that accurately reflects the various anxieties surrounding the beginning of a new school year while gently reminding young readers that their expanding world, while initially a bit frightening, can be plenty of fun, too. Brief sentences and repetitive vocabulary make up the mostly episodic chapters, making this an accessible choice for transitional readers, particularly those who are experiencing their own worries about the next step in their lives. Sisson's plentiful illustrations are a pleasing blend of soft textures and contemporary spirit.