Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

My little boys think buffalo’s are the coolest animal ever.  Every time we go camping, they always ask where the buffalo’s are.  Of course, you see them everywhere at Yellowstone and while there last year we even had a scare when one sneaked up on us in our campsite.  Too close in my opinion! My four-year-old at random moments, will say, “Remember the time that buffalo came to our camp?”

Do not let Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? by Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Daniel Jennewein fool you.  Buffalo’s are neither cute or cuddly.

Case in point:

Nor do they smell good:

But Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? is everything that the real thing isn’t.  Very cute.  Very cuddly.  And well, okay, still a little bit smelly.  When Daniel Jennewein, the illustrator, showed me this book while at BEA this past May, I knew that I had to have a copy.  One.  It’s about a buffalo.  As shown above, my kids LOVE buffalo’s.  Two.  It’s about going to kindergarten.  A milestone that we will pass in our house in just one short year from now.  Three.  It’s totally adorable!

As expected, my little boy was very excited to discover this book and promptly sat on the couch to read it to himself.  He was engrossed from cover to cover.  A win for this mamma!

In, Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten, one little girl proudly brings her buffalo to kindergarten.  But is he ready?  Does he have his backpack?  Does he know how to use scissors?   Does he get along with his friends?  Does he resist charging and using his horns when he’s upset?  Does he share his treats?  Likely not on that last one – buffalo’s really throw up their grass in their mouths only to eat it again?  Gross!  I have to admit that I learned something new.

Not everybody is going to fit in (particularly a buffalo!) but it’s important to remember that everybody is special.  And don’t forget that cooperating and taking turns are both very big deals.  Everybody belongs in kindergarten.  In fact, it’s so great that it may be near impossible to convince your buffalo to leave.

So stinking cute!  I loved it!  My boys loved it.  If you know somebody who is off to kindergarten this year (or next like mine) then this is a must have.  Seriously.

Links of interest: Audrey Vernick website, Daniel Jennewein website,  more book blogger reviews.
Genre: Fiction picture book. Approx ages 4-8.
Publisher: Balzer & Bray.  June 22, 2010
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 006176275X
Source: Review copy sent from the illustrator (whom I met at BEA) and who is husband to Presenting Lenore (whom I consider a friend).
Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!