Arnaldo, Monica. Mr. S. Monica Arnaldo, Illus. Harpercollins/Katherine Tegen, 06/2023. 40pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0630-0395-8. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.
It’s the first day of school and the kids in room 2B appear to have “an impressive-looking sandwich” for a teacher. Immediately half the class cheers: “No teacher means no rules” and the other half of the class objects. Realizing that Mr. S is watching them, the class starts their day and moves through lessons that include learning the alphabet (B is for Bagel), art, music, and storytime (hard when you have no hands to turn the page). While the students debate whether a sandwich is actually their teacher, a second visual story is happening outside the classroom window. There are tons of puns and humor along with large, bright illustrations which make this a great read for storytimes as well as for more intimate lapsit reads where kids and their adults can search for the hidden visual treats in this book. Created with watercolor, colored pencils, and ink, the illustrations depict the students with varying skin tones, and one child uses a wheelchair.
Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K-8 / Oakland Unified School District