Ready, Set, Preschool!: Stories, Poems and Picture Games with an Educational Guide for Parents - Softcover

Anna Jane Hays has had firsthand experience with seven preschoolers–her own two children and five grandchildren–as well as over 30 years experience in creating educational picture books, storybooks, and print activity books for preschoolers. She joined the Children’s Television Workshop in 1970 and used her creativity and expertise to help develop publishing based on Sesame Street, the then-new, innovative, PBS preschool educational television series. She was first managing editor of the Sesame Street magazine start-up and developed original Sesame Street Book publishing in partnerships with Golden Press and Random House. After 29 years at Sesame Street, she retired as Vice President/Editor in Chief of Book Publishing at Children's Television Workshop. Hays continues her work in children’s publishing and has since published several storybooks and picture books with Random House, including "Silly Sara," "The Pup Speaks Up," and several other Step Into Reading and Sesame Workshop titles. Hays received her AA at Stephens College, Columbia, MO, and her BA in Honors English at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. She then pursued a variety of post-graduate academic studies, including writers workshops at New York University and Columbia University.The author of numerous books for both US and European publishers, Hays continues her work in children's publishing as an editor, writer, and consultant. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

True Kelley is the author and illustrator of more than 100 children’s books, including Who Was Pablo Picasso?, Who Was Abigail Adams?, and Hazel Nutt, Mad Scientist, winner of the Golden Duck Award for Best Children's Illustrated Book. She lives in Warner, New Hampshire, with her husband, fellow writer Steven Lindblom.

PreS–Reading readiness, numerals, and socialization skills are promoted in this engaging activity book. Children can help Casey count his favorite treasures to take to school (One blankie for quiet time. Two books with words that rhyme). The picture rebus of animal sounds invites participation. What's in the Classroom? familiarizes preschoolers with a new setting, and objects in the detailed scene are labeled to extend vocabulary. Primary concepts such as color, shapes, and opposites are conveyed in Kelley's cheerful, watercolor cartoons of a culturally diverse class having fun in a variety of environments–from the Triangle-Square Ranch to a rainy day on the playground. Short stories address topics such as separation anxiety and fears of Will I Have a Friend? Hays also includes a helpful section for parents that highlights the developmentally appropriate learning opportunities each activity provides. A useful resource to share with families preparing for the first day of school.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
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