Twindergarten

by Nikki Ehrlich, Zoey Abbott Wagner (Illustrator)

Overview

Dax and Zoe are twins. They go together like peanut butter and jelly.

It’s the night before the twins are starting kindergarten, and they have the just-about-to-start-school jitters. After all, they will be in different classrooms! What will kindergarten be like when they’re not together all day? But Dax and Zoe will learn that kindergarten is full of new surprises and adventures, and being apart for a short while isn’t so bad.

Named one of the best books to help kids get ready for a new school year by Brightly.com, which commented: "Read along to see how these two siblings find the silver lining and the fun in being apart."

From author Nikki Ehrlich and artist Zoey Abbott Wagner comes a heartwarming picture book that’s perfect for anyone dealing with new experiences, especially little ones getting ready for school.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062564238
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	06/20/2017
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	616,434
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nikki Ehrlich was a preschool teacher before she had her twin boys and their baby brother. She loved working with her students and hopes to return to the classroom when her kids are a little older. She remembers her own twins' first day of kindergarten and hopes her book Twindergarten will help twins and all kids feel confident and excited that kindergarten will be great! Nikki lives in New York City with her husband, three kids, and two dogs.

Zoey Wagner lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, two kids, and a big dog named Carrots. She loves telling stories and making things with her hands. Her favorite food is ice-cream sandwiches (plural). Twindergarten is her first book. You can visit her online at www.zoeyink.com.

Editorial Reviews

[Dax and Zoe] zig and zag through believable emotional reactions to being in different classrooms on their first day of school. With calm white space and feathery but orderly lines, Abbott's lovely colored-pencil art makes the schoolday seem like a breeze.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

05/15/2017
Dax and Zoe are curly-haired fraternal twins who do everything together—until it comes to going to kindergarten: “Tomorrow, they’d be in different classrooms. And they absolutely couldn’t imagine what that would feel like.” Yet the twins make friends and acclimate to new routines once they get to school, and at recess, Zoe and Dax are together again “like peanut butter and jelly.” Working in soft colored pencil, debut illustrator Abbott’s understated images feel airy and open, and she emphasizes not just the closeness between the twins but also the way they seem to trade off feeling confident and nervous about school. Though not all siblings will be as mutually adoring as Dax and Zoe are, newcomer Ehrlich leaves readers with the comforting idea that just because one thing changes doesn’t mean that everything has to. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary Studio. (June)

Publishers Weekly

While showing that a bit of anxiety is natural when facing a new experience, this attractive picture book fosters a hopeful attitude toward school.”

Booklist

08/01/2017
PreS-Gr 1—Dax and Zoe are inseparable twins who are about to start school. But Dax and Zoe aren't so sure about it, since starting kindergarten will mean being in different classes. With the help of their parents and each other, they find the courage to go their separate ways on the first day of school. Then with the help of teachers and new friends, Dax and Zoe soon realize that despite being apart from each other, kindergarten isn't so bad. Simple but attractive color pencil illustrations depict the action and emotions equally well. The writing is direct and effective, and the story adeptly depicts a challenging time for most families. VERDICT This heartwarming tale is perfect for storytimes, and an excellent choice for families with young twins.—Candyce Pruitt-Goddard, Sno-Isle Libraries, Marysville, WA

School Library Journal

2017-05-15
How will twins assigned to different kindergarten classrooms survive the first day of school?Biracial (black/white) twins Zoe and Dax are inseparable…until school starts, that is. On the night before the first day, Dax has jitters and doubts, so he pushes his bed closer to Zoe's, while Zoe is confident, holding her brother's hand as they go to sleep to reassure him. But in the morning, when their parents drop them off at school, their roles suddenly reverse. Dax quickly makes a new friend and has a great day. But Zoe just longs for her brother. The two make the most of their joint recess time, but all too soon it's over. A note from her brother turns out to be the key to helping Zoe feel more secure, and she finally joins in with new friends. While this turnaround seems a bit too quick to be believable, it's nonetheless encouraging that both have good days in the end. The white backgrounds in the colored-pencil illustrations keep the focus on the twins and their emotions, made clear through body language and facial expressions. Their classes (and teachers!) are nicely diverse, and Wagner gives readers a peek at kindergarten goings-on. Not just for sharing with twins or separated best friends—readers will be reassured that the hot-and-cold seesaw of emotions they may be experiencing is normal. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews

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