A SMART, SMART SCHOOL- Perfect For Fall!

HARPER COLLINS, 2023

 Whether you've read Sharon Creech's earlier A FINE FINE SCHOOL or not (but I hope you have), this companion/sequel book features a wiser principal, Mr. Keane, and the irrepressible TILLIE (student) in the same fine school. In fact, the opening lines reference that it is, indeed, A FINE FINE SCHOOL, with several spreads revealing that this involves creativity, imagination, and collaborative learning.All taking place under the proud and watchful eye of that enllightened principal.

 In this title, though, that now-beloved principal is rushed to the hospital for an appendectomy. His replacement views such frivolous, indirect activity as foolishness, requiring testing, testing, testing. All day. All week. 

No cards or banners or song-writing may continue under his thumb, even though the students are all eager to deliver their greetings and good wishes for recovery to the hospital to present to Mr. Keane. After-school time is loaded with non-stop study for the many tests to come.

HARPER COLLINS,  2003

In this sequel/companion picture book, Tillie is not the single-handed spokes-girl. Instead the entire school, exhausted students and teachers alike, use their Saturday morning to visit and stage a Mr. Keane greeting on the lawn outside his ward. 

Certainly, the ending is satisfying and fun, and that fine school is both fine and SMART once Mr. Keane resumes the reins.

A SMART, SMART SCHOOL, written by award-winning Sharon Creech and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan, makes a brilliant parent night book for back-to-school, for all grades and ages. Often their highest concerns are for the success of their own children, but that translates as test scores. My experience tells me  that these crafts, songs, poems, banners,  and other initiatives are not wasting time, nor are they simply "break" activities. Using creative processes in the course of the day actually elevates learning, motivation, and understanding, all reflected in those occasionally necessary test scores.

What an excellent discussion to have with parents and students in the starting months and throughout the school year.

Please note that the original book was illustrated by the incomparable Harry Bliss. These illustrations by Semmirdzhan are charmingly effective in capturing the scenes and moods of the first book, along with providing a dose of second-look-worthy details on many pages.

Love it.