A crisp, humorous, original twist to first-day-of-school stories begins with older sister Lucy's rigorous training of Annabelle: "This is the world . . . This is not red . . . a nickel's worth five pennies . . ." A male kindergarten teacher and an interesting conception of an elementary school environment create interest, but Annabelle herself is the best part of a terrific story, wonderfully illustrated and designed. (Ages 3-6)

Annabelle Swift is more than ready for kindergarten, for she has been tutored by her older sister, Lucy. Poor Annabelle embarrasses herself, (but) proves her mettle by successfully counting the milk money & becoming the first kindergarten milk monitor