Edward Unready For School [Hardcover]

Featuring the wryly understated texts and drolly detailed ink-and-watercolor art of the Max and Ruby titles, these paper-over-board books introduce the late-blooming Edward the Unready. In each misadventure, the expressive-eyed bear faces a new, decidedly uncomfortable situation. At a swimming party, the lifeguard calls Edward's parents to pick him up after his water wings deflate and he is rescued from the pool's bottom. When a blizzard forces Edward to spend the night at his pal Anthony's house, Anthony's parents realize how miserable their sleepless guest is and dig out the car to take him home. And Edward's first week of playschool is so painful for him that his teacher sends for his parents, announcing, "Not everyone is ready for the same things at the same time." That, of course, encapsulates the message imparted by each of these tales, which inventively reassure kids that it is okay to be "unready." Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

PreSchool-K-?Edward is not a helpful role model for young children. In each book, the conclusion is identical?he's just not ready for the given situation. Deep Water features the bear cub at a swimming party, where he is humiliated by the other guests because of his need to wear water wings in the pool. In School, he is dragged into play school and pulled out at the end of the week. In Overnight, the small bear is left to play at a friend's house during a snowstorm. His parents promise to come back soon, but must break their word due to impassable roads, and Edward is inconsolable. In the middle of the night, his host puts chains on the car and follows the snowplow to Edward's home. The books are simply aimed at the wrong audience. Children who are working their way through challenging new experiences need people (and books) to cheer them on and offer them concrete assistance. Parents with sensitivity to their children's developmental stages know their capacities and introduce new experiences gradually, following their leads and supporting them until they have the requisite confidence. The parents depicted here do neither. Wells's characteristically droll, cuddly creations do not rescue the series from its exceedingly counterproductive message. Buy another copy of Watty Piper's classic The Little Engine That Could (Putnam, 1978) to help children bolster their confidence. Mention this series to family therapists for parents who are ready before their children are.?Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.