School Rules

K-Gr 2—Tony Baloney is back, this time in easy-reader format. The little macaroni penguin is excited about his first day of school, and even a bossy big sister can't bring him down. His stuffed animal, Dandelion, is nervous but Tony reassures him. The day doesn't go quite as smoothly as planned, but by simply being himself, Tony makes a friend and inspires levity in his rule-loving teacher. The vocabulary is too high for those just beginning school to tackle on their own. However, this would be a fun book for caregivers to share with a child starting school or for slightly older children to read independently. The universal topic, along with alliteration and humor, gives it wide appeal. Heavy use of primary colors makes the illustrations stand out, and Tony Baloney himself is appealingly drawn. An excellent first purchase.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA