THE BAD-NEWS REPORT CARD

Isabel’s class is about to get report cards, and Isabel is so excited that she gets distracted. She whispers instead of listening, forgets to put her name on her paper and then gets caught trying to fix her mistake. At the end of the day, report cards are handed out, but Isabel is no longer happy about it. She’s sure that her report card will say that she needs improvement, so she tucks it behind her seat in the bus. She tells her parents she’s lost it, and they write her a note, which she tucks behind the same seat the next day. By the time Isabel realizes the error of her ways, the report card and note are gone, and she is called to the principal’s office. The principal gives her the card back, and once Isabel sees it, she’s overjoyed. She’s happy to show her parents that she’s received “good” for everything except imagination—for that she’s “excellent.” Gouache-and-pencil illustrations accompany Isabel’s story and perfectly reflect her worry and excitement. (Picture book. 4-8)