Lauren Thompsonworks as an editor and lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with her husband, Robert and son, Owen. Her books include Simon & Schuster'sLittle Quackseries andMouse's Firstseries, andPolar Bear Nightfrom Scholastic Press. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Lauren Thompson and Buket Erdogan continue their Mouse's First series with Mouse's First Day of School. Mouse hides in a child's backpack and discovers all the fun to be had in a kindergarten classroom full of books, paints, blocks and more. The very simple text and exuberant illustrations may help to alleviate some brand-new students' jitters. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS-K-This is a new "first" for mouse as he hides in a backpack and gleefully emerges into the brave new world of preschool. As in Mouse's First Halloween (2000), Mouse's First Valentine (2002), and Mouse's First Christmas (1999, all S & S), Thompson and Erdogan have created a spirited landscape of simple text overlaying vividly colored, richly textured, mouse-sized scenes of kid-familiar objects. The creature frolics among an assortment of childhood icons, from blocks and a toy car to tubes of paint and a juice box and snacks. Expressive and playful text with phrases such as "Thump, boom, bump a drum"; "Blinky, cuddly, curly dolls"; and "Squiggle, scribble, dot crayons" adds a bouncy beat. The concluding chalked message, "Welcome to school, Mouse!" will have young listeners eagerly anticipating their own first day.-Mary Ann Carcich, Hampton Bays Public Library, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS. Mouse, last seen in Mouse's First Valentine (2001), returns in this sunny introduction to the classroom. "One bright morning," Mouse slips into a backpack that takes him to school. Short sentences describe the wonders he finds--the blocks, puzzles, books, snacks, and, finally, friends. Thompson's text nearly gallops with repetitive rhythm and delicious sounds: "Vrim, vrum, vroom a car! Thump, boom, bump a drum!" And Erdogan's bright acrylics show all the objects close-up from Mouse's perspective. The square format is nicely sized for small hands, and emerging readers will enjoy puzzling out familiar words and letters in the large, bold text. A bouncy, appealing read-aloud for soothing apprehensive day care and preschool jitters. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2003 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.