MS. BITSY BAT’S KINDERGARTEN

Prolific collaborators Cole and Edwards return for this story of new-teacher anxiety. Rabbit, Snake, Possum, Groundhog, Mole and Mouse arrive at their school for the second day only to find Mr. Fox is going to stay home and care for his new babies. Each woodland child has a specific fear: Groundhog worries they’ll get carrots rather than chocolate-chip cookies and Mouse worries she won’t be kept busy. Despite her strangeness, Ms. Bitsy Bat does everything perfectly. Cole’s pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are as smilingly bright as ever. However, Edward’s story is problematic on a couple of fronts. The animals are all realistically sized, and a fox would never fit into their school. Mouse announces that they’ll have a new classroom, but they appear to go to a one-room schoolhouse. Though the message is worthy, Ms. Bitsy Bat’s perfection is unrealistic, as is the children’s attachment to their teacher (Mr. Fox) after one day of kindergarten. Most collections would best be served by sticking with Miss Bindergarten for now. (Picture book. 4-6)