Ready or Not, Woolbur Goes to School!

by Leslie Helakoski, Lee Harper (Illustrator)

Overview

The free-spirited, fluffy, one-of-a-kind sheep Woolbur is on his way to school, and he’s MORE than ready…

But Maa and Paa aren’t so sure. What if Woolbur isn’t exactly ready for school?

He’s different. He’s unusual. And his new hairdo is kooky!

At school, Woolbur loves trying new things like drawing outside of the lines and eating grass. (No wonder his parents were worried!)

The rest of his classmates are nervous about their first day and aren’t excited about trying anything new. Will Woolbur’s excitement help show his friends that doing something different, or unusual, or kooky is the best way to get ready for school?

This charming yet spunky follow-up to the beloved Woolbur is the perfect gift for children who march to the beat of their own drum or anyone who needs a little encouragement on their first day of school.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061366574
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	06/19/2018
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Leslie Helakoski is the author of the Big Chickens series as well as Woolbur and Woolbur Goes to School. She has written and illustrated Fair Cow, Big Pigs, Doggone Feet, and Hoot and Honk Just Can’t Sleep. She lives in Michigan with her family. Visit her online at www.helakoskibooks.com.

Lee Harper is an illustrator, and sometimes author-illustrator, of a flock of picture books. He still likes going to school, but nowadays when he goes to school it’s as a visiting author. He drives there in a regular car but wishes he could get there on a hay wagon like Woolbur. Learn more about Lee Harper’s books and school visits at www.leeharperart.com.

Editorial Reviews

06/04/2018
The fiercely independent sheep introduced in Woolbur starts school in this infectious follow-up. On the first day of class, Woolbur prepares excitedly: he accents the wild spikes of wool on his head with red yarn, and he dons his bumblebee backpack. “Let’s go!” he exclaims. Woolbur tackles each new experience with aplomb. When classmates express doubt or anxiety throughout the day, Woolbur exuberantly chimes in with the refrain “Isn’t it great?” (“ ‘I can wait my turn,’ said Woolbur./ ‘But there are so many of us,’ said Llama/... ‘I know,’ said Woolbur./ ‘Isn’t it great?’ ”). His enthusiasm catches on, leaving the friendly-faced animals of Barnyard Elementary smiling and eager to return. Mixed-media digital collage art captures the energy of the school day, as well as Woolbur’s cozy environment at home, underscoring the story’s upbeat, encouraging tone. Ages 4–8. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Woolbur is an excellent role model of self-confidence and positivity.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The fiercely independent sheep introduced in Woolbur starts school in this infectious follow-up.” — Publishers Weekly

“Woolbur tackles each new experience with aplomb.” — Publishers Weekly

“In a long list of appealing back-to-school books, this one really makes the grade.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

08/01/2018
PreS-K—Woolbur is a little sheep whose enthusiasm for life and all its unexpected challenges cannot be tamed, much like his wild wool hairstyle. He confidently asserts on the first day of school, "Let's go!" while his parents wonder if he's really ready. When he draws his name his own way, or paints outside the lines, his parents, teacher, and classmates often seem confused or worried, but he responds cheerfully, "I know, isn't it great?" This encouraging refrain makes him a terrific role model in the class when his fellow farm animals have trouble waiting their turn or when they worry that the cafeteria grass might taste different than it does at home. At the end of the day, he returns home on the bus and asks his Ma if she's ready for "A home-again kiss!" Harper's illustrations lend humor and authenticity to the feelings of Woolbur's classmates while showcasing his jubilant spirit. VERDICT In a long list of appealing back-to-school books, this one really makes the grade.—Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH

School Library Journal

2018-05-14
An excited Woolbur bursts out of bed on the first day of school, confident and ready to take the experience by the horns (an intention that perhaps inspires the exuberant hairdo he has created with red string). While Maa isn't sure Woolbur is ready, Paa doubts the school's readiness for Woolbur, and indeed, Woolbur is one character who is fairly bursting with personality, and he's not at all concerned with what others think of him. No matter how positively criticism is couched or what his classmates' complaints might be, Woolbur's response is the same: "I know….Isn't it great?" His creativity comes out in the way he writes his name and in his modern art piece, and he takes the school lunch and the noisiness and newness of the playground games in stride. The end of Woolbur's day brings things full circle to a sweet tuck-in by his parents. The watercolor-and-pencil illustrations feature much the same things many readers will find in their own schools, only tweaked slightly to accommodate the anthropomorphized, multispecies animal cast (the salad bar is labeled "grain," "hay," "clover," and "bones," and the school bus is a hay-filled wagon pulled by a tractor). Careful observers will see his classmates begin to relax and enjoy their days, his attitude contagious. Woolbur is an excellent role model of self-confidence and positivity. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews