Product Description

It is the first day at Mulberry School and everything is going wrong for one shy little pig. Embarrassed and upset by the morning's mishaps, he decides he would rather hide under the mulberry bush than play with the other children. Luckily, he soon makes the wonderful discovery that a friend can turn up in the most unlikely place. . . .
Bringing the same imaginative brilliance to this traditional song that made his Down by the Station a success, Will Hillenbrand has created a reassuring book for anyone who starts school with first-day jitters.
Also features the music and lyrics for the popular nursery song.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #710860 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-In a rhythmic text that piggybacks easily onto the traditional nursery rhyme tune, Hillenbrand describes the daunting first-day-of-school experiences of two shy little pigs. Unlike their classmates, who eagerly enter into the day's activities, these two hang back, longing for the safety of home. Crashing block towers, spilled paints, and other messes exacerbate their unhappiness, until finally both seek refuge under the mulberry bush. After discovering one another and sharing their concerns, companionship enables them to enjoy the rest of the day. While the story is predictable, Hillenbrand's pastel watercolors are engaging and include details that add both humor and interest. Pair this title with Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried (Greenwillow, 2000) for a comforting first-day storytime.
Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
PreS. The familiar tune traces a little pig child's first day of school--from fear to friends to fun. The piggie, with his red hat and backpack, admits he's scared. The way the other children dance into class and a series of mishaps--crashing a block tower and splashing himself during painting--don't help. But as the day progresses, he makes a friend, has high hopes for reading, and looks forward to a second day of school. The text, which can be read (or sung) to the beat of the song, doesn't always scan smoothly, but it does cover a lot of first-day events and emotions. Better is the child-friendly artwork, executed in fresh colors and featuring a diverse classroom that includes pigs of different colors as well as one in a wheel chair. Without being threatening, this is a realistic basis for first-day conversations. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author
WILL HILLENBRAND has illustrated many award-winning books for children, including Fiddle-I-Fee, a Parenting Magazine Book of the Year; Down by the Station; and Counting Crocodiles, a Child Magazine Best Book of the Year. He lives in Terrace Park, Ohio.

Customer Reviews

Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
This is a great book to read with Pre-K/kindergarteners on the first day of school to help calm anxieties over being in a new setting and not knowing anyone.

Educators Recommend
In this rhythmic, rhyming tale-set to the tune of "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush"-it is the first day of school and little pig is scared. Although he tries building a tower and playing at the water table, he can't quite get the hang of it and ends up making messes.

When the other pigs go outside to play tag, he hides inside a mulberry bush. There he finds another little pig hiding also. The two become fast friends, making the last half of the day more enjoyable than the first. By story's end, little pig declares, "My first day has made me one happy guy."

Hillenbrand's cartoon-like, mixed media illustrations capture perfectly the initial scariness of school from the little pig's perspective as well as the excitement and fun as the day progresses.

The bright, colorful spreads are filled with action and humorous touches.

An excellent choice for a reassuring, first-day read aloud.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff