Back to School: Wow! School! by Robert Neubecker

Neubecker's supersized, child's-eye view of the first day of school is an ebullient and energetic look at the positive side of back-to-school time.

The author-illustrator uses a rough-hewn black line and computer-generated color to portray the opening day enthusiasm of Izzy, a mountain girl who is making her first ride from "the top of the world" down to her new school and into a whole new experience.

Following the outsized format of his ALA Notable Book Wow! City! and Wow! America!, we see Izzy's reaction as she takes in the exciting sights of a primary school, spanking clean and all decked out to greet its new students: "Wow! Classroom!, Wow! Teacher!, Wow! Books! Wow! Music!, Wow! Numbers!" and ending with "Wow! Friends!" as Izzy and her new friend run for the bus together.

Neubecker's framed spreads are crammed with eye-catching items of interest and some cute touches. For example, on the "Wow! Books!" page we see copies of Bemelmans' Madeline and Shannon's No, David!, and Neubecker even sneaks in his own Wow! City! in another layout. The "Wow! Numbers!" page shows a pet rabbit and dozens of bunnies which the kids dutifully attempt to tote up. The "Wow! Science!" layout shows a room decorated with planet mobiles, shark posters, pets, computers with dinosaur games, books, and yet another rabbit.

For preschoolers who may have have some jitters about moving on to Big School, this exuberant perspective on what goes on inside that large building may ease the transition.