Kindergarten Countdown

  THIS IS A BORZOI BOOK PUBLISHED BY ALFRED A. KNOPF

  Text copyright © 2007 by Anna Jane Hays

  Illustrations copyright © 2007 by Linda Davick

  All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York. KNOPF, BORZOI BOOKS, and the colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

  www.randomhouse.com/kids

  Educators and librarians, for a variety of teaching tools, visit us at www.randomhouse.com/teachers

  Library of Congress Control Number 2006024249

  eISBN: 978-0-375-98521-8

  v3.1

  For Lucy, with love

  —A.J.H.

  To my mom, who sent me to Miss Kay’s

  —L.D.

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  First Page

  About the Author and Illustrator

  My school starts in one week, so—

  I have SEVEN DAYS to go.

  Mom says be patient, do not worry.

  But I can’t wait! I’m in a hurry!

  7 days to Kindergarten.

  I’ll be ready, I’ll be smart.

  I will get a running start.

  I’ll say thank you,

  I’ll say please.

  I will say

  my ABCs!

  6 days to Kindergarten.

  I’ll be ready,

  I’ll be good.

  I will sit still

  when I should.

  I’ll use a tissue

  when I sneeze.

  I will count

  my 1-2-3’s!

  5 days to Kindergarten.

  Yay!

  Then I’ll go to school

  in flashy sneakers (oh so cool)!

  I’ll wear my superhero sweater

  that makes me feel

  strong and better.

  4 days to Kindergarten.

  I’m all set for show-and-tell

  (and I can do it very well).

  I’ll bring my pokey little snail

  and talk about his slimy trail.

  3 days to Kindergarten.

  Three more days

  and this week ends.

  I can’t wait

  to make new friends!

  We’ll take turns

  and play new games,

  and practice writing

  our own names.

  2 days to Kindergarten.

  Is it time to make my lunch?

  Banana sandwich, ice cream crunch,

  Popsicles, pickles, one lollipop.

  At school I’ll ask who wants to swap.

  1 day to Kindergarten.

  Now it’s time to pack my stuff.

  Hope my backpack’s big enough

  for my picture book and truck

  and shiny rock to bring me luck.

  School is just

  one night away!

  I brush my teeth and jump in bed

  with letters and numbers in my head.

  I will try to go to sleep

  by counting Kindergarten sheep!

  0 days to Kindergarten.

  I waited seven days to say—

  Kindergarten

  starts today!

  Anna Jane Hays, after twenty-nine years at Sesame Street, retired as vice president of book publishing for Children’s Television Workshop in New York and returned to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she now lives and writes. She has written a number of books for young children, including the widely acclaimed Ready, Set, Preschool! “With lots of cheerfully illustrated rhymes, stories, and interactive games, this big picture book is an excellent title to prepare kids for preschool,” wrote Booklist in its review.

  Linda Davick lives and works near the ocean in San Francisco, California, with her husband and Mabel the cat, who has a way of appearing in Linda’s books. She is the illustrator of 10 Trick-or-Treaters by Janet Schulman. “Davick’s vibrant graphic art is chockablock with shapes and angles that keep the mood light and the creatures and costumed monsters more fun than frightening. A not-too-scary treat for the youngest Halloween fans,” wrote School Library Journal in its review.

 

 

  Anna Jane Hays, Kindergarten Countdown

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