“Timothy Goes to School” by Rosemary Wells
Viking Press, New York, 1981, 32 pages, Grades K-1.
Each fall, millions of children return to school. Many of these children are ready to return and catch up with their friends from the previous year. However, for kindergarten students and their parents this new experience can be filled with anxiety. School represents a large change for many of these children and the parents wonder how their children will fit into the new environment. In fact, sometimes the parents have a harder time with the children entering kindergarten than the youngsters do. When the new students arrive in kindergarten they are excited and anxious. Will the other students like me? Who is my teacher? Can I make friends? All of these are crucial questions for the children. Beloved children’s literature writer, Rosemary Wells, tells a touching account of little Timothy going to kindergarten. She entitles the book, “Timothy Goes to School.”
Timothy and his mother are raccoons. Before going to kindergarten, his mother brushes his unruly hair. Timothy is wearing a new sun suit his mother has just finished sewing. She proudly sends him down the lane to school. His teacher, Mrs. Jenkins greets all the students at the door with a loving welcome. They are all happy and excited as they crowd into the classroom. She places Timothy next to another raccoon named Claude. Timothy tries to talk to Claude but is immediately snubbed. Claude makes fun of his new sun suit and tells Timothy that no one wears a sun suit the first day of school. This mean comment ruins Timothy’s day. Whereas he had been proud of his handsome sun suit, he now feels stupid and out of place. During recess, Claude kicks the soccer ball with great skill and shows off his physical coordination. All of the other children begin to crowd around Claude, which in turn depresses Timothy even more.
Returning home, Timothy tells his mother the sad tale of his first day. She tries to cheer him up by telling him of the beautiful new jacket she has made for him to wear the next day. Once again, Timothy hurries to school proudly wearing his new jacket. This time Claude tells him that no one wears a jacket on the second day of school. Devastated, Timothy struggles through the long day. In the meantime, Claude is quickly becoming the teacher’s pet. He never makes mistakes and everyone likes him. That is, everyone except Timothy. The days continue and Timothy keeps feeling like he is second rate and doesn’t even want to go to school. Finally, a girl rabbit named Violet talks to Timothy and wants to play with him at recess. All of a sudden, the day brightens for Timothy. Here is someone who likes him. In turn, Violet feels fortunate to know Timothy. Life keeps improving.
What happens to Timothy and Violet? Do they make other friends at school? Are they the most popular children at school? Why do they both suddenly like going to school? What do all people need to feel good about themselves? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out “Timothy Goes To School” by Rosemary Wells.
This may become an important book when your children or nieces and nephews go to kindergarten. Timothy’s struggles are very common place in primary school and Rosemary Wells (1943-Present) treats his fears with sensitivity. The mother is portrayed in a very strong, loving manner by the author. Rosemary Wells has written children’s books for many years and is most known for her “Ruby and Max” characters. I hope you get a chance to read this book. It is a sensitive account of the common fears children and parents have about starting kindergarten. Enjoy!
