Lindemann, Johanna. Once Upon a Pickup Time. Mareike Ammersken, Illus. Translated from the German by Christian Maclean. Floris, 06/2026. [24]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-178250-957-8. GRADES Kindergarten–1. ADDITIONAL.
Ben loves playing with his friends at kindergarten, but is sad that they are always picked up to go home before his dad finally comes for him. He begins to use his imagination to tell stories (about his dad) which capture the attention of the other kids (and parents), keeping them there longer, so he ends up not being the last one left. The multicultural class enjoys the stories, asks to be picked up later tomorrow, and the friends get more time together. The overall story is imaginative, especially with things his dad is described to be doing, but local readers who pay attention may wonder why this kindergarten is so very different from the kindergarten they experience. In California, the free-flowing departure times are more likely for preschool than for the academic kindergartens (likely structured quite differently in the author’s home country of Germany). A great way to introduce imaginative storytelling to young readers.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library