GROVER AND THE NEW KID (Sesame Street/Start to Read Books)
PreSchool-Grade 2When a new boy joins his class, kind-hearted Grover shares his snack and toys and shows him around the school. He continues to be friendly even after Barry's rudeness in class and on the playground has angered the other children. Grover reaches the limit of his tolerance when Barry ruins his painting by adding an unsolicited fire engine. He shouts at Barry who soon apologizes and becomes helpful and polite, admitting later that he had been afraid to come to school that day because he was new. Smith's text is easy to read and deals with a situation young children will understand. The book could be useful in helping children cope with being new or accepting other new students. Cooke's watercolors are in pastel colors and show Muppet children in an urban school setting. Similar to other books in the series, it has a guaranteed audience in beginning readers who have graduated from but who have not forgotten the television program.Jean H. Zimmerman, Willett School, South River, N.J.Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.