Simon insists he's not going to school. Reluctant though he is, after his first day Simon doesn't want to go home. Simple illustrations made up of blocks of color boldly outlined in black feature an opinionated little rabbit who, with his repeated catch phrase of "no way," succinctly captures the first-day-of-school jitters. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Little Simon doesn't want to go to school. "No way!" is his omnibus answer to his parents' reassurances that he'll have a wonderful time. There are no surprises to this plot, which has seen dozens of variations over the years, but Blake's cartoon bunny, drawn in childlike fashion and placed against bright, simple backgrounds, will appeal. A couple of sequential spreadsof Simon clicking his bedside lamp on and off ("I'm scared. / I'm not scared") and of his predictably wonderful first dayare both good, if not earthshaking, examples of graphic storytelling. This slight French import stands as a simpler complement to such sophisticated fare as Kevin Henkes's Wemberly Worried (2000). (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

This is essentially an extended blackout skit, based around a recalcitrant bunny's propensity to shout "No way!" whenever his well-meaning parents try to drum up enthusiasm in advance of the Big Day tomorrow. After a very dark night of the soul-astutely chronicled by Blake's bold cartooning-the bunny discovers school to be so much fun that his catchphrase gets turned on its head. Slight but effective, it's a story that's sympathetic to both sides of the family dynamic. Ages 3-5. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Originally published in France, this story follows Simon, a normally brave and mischievous Super Rabbit who is none too enthusiastic about starting school. His parents' promises of making new friends and learning the alphabet are only met with one response: No way! After a few tears, though, he discovers that getting to draw, read, play drums, and learn is actually fun, and no way does he want to go home after the first day. A quicker, more focused story than such fall standbys as Amy Hest's Off to School, Baby Duck! (1999) and Kevin Henkes' Wemberly Worried (2000), this title has a standard premise that is instantly understandable and reassuring, and the naive-style art, rendered in bold outlines and primary colors, is appealing and expressive. Even if most young students won't be writing in cursive by the end of day one or having chocolate mousse for lunch, both of which Simon does, this may just help encourage them to give this school thing a try.--Medlar, Andrew Copyright 2009 Booklist

PreS-K-This story features a big-eared bunny who wears a superhero-type mask and cape. When his mother and father try to tell him how much fun he will have at school, Simon shouts, "No way!" This response is repeated throughout the story. Of course, when he finally does get to school and participates in all the fun activities, he changes his mind. And when his mother returns to take him home, he answers, "No way!" The bright primary colors set a cheerful mood, which contrasts with the younster's fear. Although his parents have a reassuring tone, Simon's standard answer becomes grating after a while, and the ending is predictable. Katie Davis's Kindergarten Rocks! (Harcourt, 2005) has a similar theme and is more fun.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.