Children's Book Publishers

1. Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day

Introduction
These children's picture books are all about the first 100 days of school, including the first 100 days of kindergarten and 100th day celebrations in kindergarten and elementary school. They emphasize numbers and 100th day activities and projects.
Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten
It's the day before the 100th day of kindergarten, and Miss Bindergarten reminds her students, "tomorrow all of you must bring 100 of some wonderful, one-hundred-full thing!" While the rhythm and rhyme of the text by Joseph Slate is very appealing, it is the illustrations by Ashley Wolff that make this book a winner.
While I am not always that fond of books in which all of the adults and children in a story are portrayed by animals, this one is different. Each of the characters in the story, from the teacher Miss Bindergarten, a border collie, to kindergarten student Lenny, a lion, is drawn with lots of detail and expression. In fact, every page is filled with colorful illustrations that are full of interesting details.

Each kindergartener's name begins with a different letter of the alphabet, from A to Z. With rhyming text, the story details, in alphabetical order, each child's preparations for the 100th day. Interspersed is the refrain, "Miss Bindergarten gets ready for the 100th day of kindergarten" and an illustration of Miss Binergarten busy with preparations.

The story ends with the class members sharing their 100th day projects and enjoying their 100th day celebration. At the end of the book, there's an added bonus for curious adults: a brief history of the origin of the 100 days celebration. Not surprisingly, Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten is very popular with three- to five-year-olds.
Compare prices. (Dutton Children's Books, 1998. ISBN: 0525460004)

2. Jake's 100th Day of School

Jake is excited. His class is getting ready for the 100th day of school, and Jake is eager to share his 100th day project with his teacher, Mr. Thompson, and his classmates. He's made a book of memories with 100 family photographs in it. Jake is devastated when he inadvertently leaves his project home. When he gets to school and sees all the other kids with their projects, he feels so terrible he begins to cry. The principal, Mrs. Wadsworth, helps him to consider his options. There is no one at home who can bring him his project. His parents are at work and his Grandma Maggie isn't home because she getting ready to visit Jake's class with a "superrific surprise." After discussion and help from Mrs. Wadsworth, Jake makes a new 100th day project, a display of 100 children's books from the principal's bookshelves, and takes it to class on a book cart where he joins in the 100th day festivities.
When Jake's Grandma Maggie visits, she brings the "superrific surprise" she promised. It's her Aunt Lulu, who is 100 years old, and the boys and girls are thrilled to meet her. After a bad start, Jake has a good day, especially when he gets a great idea; he takes a picture of his grandmother and Aunt Lulu in front of his 100 books display and adds it to his book of memories. On the 101st day of school, he shares his book of memories, with 101 family photos in it, with his classmates. In this children's picture book, author Lester L. Laminack does a nice job of showing how a child handles disappointment successfully, with the help of caring adults and his own initiative. The lively and humorous illustrations by Judy Love are a delight. This would be a good read aloud in a first to third grade classroom.
Compare prices. (Peachtree Publishers, 2006. ISBN: 1561453552)

3. Emily's First 100 Days of School by Rosemary Wells

Emily, one of author and illustrator Rosemary Wells' endearing bunny characters, is excited about starting school. Her teacher, Miss Cribbage, tells the children, "Every morning we will make a new number friend and write it down in our number book." Emily's First 100 Days of School is Emily's account of what happens each day of the first 100 days of school.
Each day features a large number, an illustration, and Emily's account of something that happened that is related to that number. For example, number four features Emily square dancing. According to Emily, "My partner in square dancing is Diane Duck. There are four corners to a dancing square."

On the 100th day of school, the children share something related to 100. One child bring 100 pieces of candy corn; another runs 100 yards. As for Emily, she has written a letter to her family about what she has learned and has included 100 kisses (Xs).

This is a longer book about the 100 days of school than most picture books. It also emphasizes numbers more than most. As Rosemary Wells states in the Author's Note, "In this book, all numbers are equally important and all are fun." Emily's activities are entertaining as are the illustrations. Emily's First 100 Days of School will hold the interest of three- to six-year-olds.
Compare prices. (Hyperion Books for Children, 2000. ISBN: 0786805072)

4. 100th Day Worries

In 100 Day Worries by Margery Cuyler, a little girl who is a worrier finds comfort in the love of her family. First grader Jessica worries all the time. She is not at all looking forward to reaching the 100th day of school. Instead, she is worried about what to take to school for the 100th day of school celebration.
When she can't figure out what to do, her whole family pitches in, providing her with sets of ten things, from ribbons to rocks. Jessica rushes off to school without counting everything, only to realize that she has only 90 things. Again, her loving family saves the day because Jessica finds a note from her mother with ten kisses (Xs) on it, giving her 10 sets of 10 - 100 things for the 100th day of school. I recommend this book for five and six year olds.
Compare prices. (Simon & Schuster, 2000. ISBN: 0689829795)

5. 100 School Days

100 School Days is another in Anne and Lizzy Rockwell's delightful series of picture books about Mrs. Madoff's class. From the first day, the children begin to count each day of school by putting a penny in a jar. Every 10 days, a child brings in something to share: 10 balloons on day 10, 20 Matchbox cars on day 20, until day 100 when everyone brings in "100 of something good to eat" and the 100 pennies are shared with those in need.
Anne Rockwell has written, and Lizzy Rockwell has illustrated, a number of children's picture books about special days in Mrs. Madoff's class. The books by the mother and daughter team include: Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Halloween Day, Thanksgiving Day, Career Day, and Show & Tell Day. I recommend their picture books for four- to eight-year-olds.
Compare prices. (HarperCollins, 2002. ISBN: 0060291443)