Fall arrived, summer was
done, and that meant that it was finally here. It was
time for her and all the kids in her city to "start the new
school year!"
As soon as she got out of
bed, she brushed her teeth and fixed her hair. She put on
her best clothes and her new shoes that told the world she
had "the spirit." Then she ate a good breakfast. Fried eggs
make a kid full of the spirit, too.
Everything was in her
backpack, including the spirit. And as she waited for the
school bus with other kids in her neighborhood, she noticed
the spirit come "driving up the street." One of the other
kids was crying – she must've been scared about her first
day of school – so she hugged her new friend, and shared the
spirit.
Inside the school
building, she had to admit being nervous. She'd never been
to school before, so she breathed deep and counted the
spirit. She taught her new friends to do it, too.
And when she reached her
classroom, she waited for attendance. That's when the spirit
called her name and she spoke up loud and clear: "HERE!"
There's so much to learn
at school and pretty soon, it was time for lunch. The spirit
was at the table, and she shared. Her friends shared, too.
Was the spirit hungry?
Not really but it was at
the playground. It was there at story time. It sat on the
floor and paid close attention. It was kind and friendly and
happy to be learning. And when it was time to go home, the
spirit hugged everyone hard and put them on the bus. Who
knew what would happen at school tomorrow?
I Got the School Spirit
is cute. And too repetitive. And unfortunate.
If the enthusiasm by
author Connie Schofield-Morrison doesn't get a kid in the
mood to learn, then the illustrations by Frank Morrison
surely will. Even the most reticent, scared-stiff child will
clearly see that going to school is something to be excited
about but alas, the word "spirit" is a bit a lot on
the overused, tiresome side.
Your child might not mind
that so much but you might mind the rest of the story: the
kids in this book don't social distance. They hug, sing, and
share food, squished on a crowded table in a crowded
lunchroom. The last-year-normal of it all may give today's
parents pause, with timing that's unfortunate.
Know your child, and know
her school. Bring I Got the School Spirit home, or
put it aside with the knowledge that there'll be other First
Days of School. At that time, for your little student, this
book will shine.
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