The King of Kindergarten

By: Derrick Barnes

Narrated by: Sullivan Jones

Length: 5 mins

Publisher's summary

A confident little boy takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, by the Newbery Honor-winning author of Crown.

The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.

It sits and shines behind your head - like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten!

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone - and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements - and then wake up to start another day.

Newbery Honor-winning author Derrick Barnes' empowering story will give new kindergartners a reassuring confidence boost. 

©2019 Derrick Barnes (P)2019 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“It’s the first day of kindergarten, and our protagonist is ready.... Describes in confident, loving, sometimes humorous terms what that day will be like.... Buoyant prose.... A beamingly positive intro to a new experience that gives youngsters a great framing for their best behavior; the winking touch to the grandiloquence keeps it from being sentimental and instead makes it jubilant, affectionately jokey cheerleading. Line and digital artwork provides lively, playful background textures and details.... There are plenty of reassuring books about starting kindergarten, but this delightfully moves beyond 'It will be okay and you might even like it' to a straight out 'You will crush this!'” (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review)

“When a mother gives her son the titular nickname, it inspires him throughout his first day of school.... Affirming text and energizing drawings...which skillfully balance bright colors, patterns, and textures, should put a spring in the step of any reluctant kindergartner: who wouldn’t want to be thought of as ‘the charming, the wonderful and the kind’ class sovereign?” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“The playful illustrations use texture and shadow to great effect, with vibrant colors and dynamic shapes and lines sustaining readers' interest on every page. Text and visuals work together beautifully to generate excitement and confidence in children getting ready to enter kindergarten. The little king's smiling brown face is refreshing and heartwarming.... Necessary nourishment, infectiously joyous.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) 

a morning pick-me-up for my toddler!

we absolutely love listening to this book on our way to daycare. we love that there's a little boy that looks just like my son! He's raring to go Kindergarten!

Grandson 💕loved it❣

He is extremely proud to be in kindergarten and this book was relatable for him.
we we excited to experience together and he told his version of reflective moments 💖

Good Story, but not a good audio book.

This was on a recommended list of family/kids audio books and while it is a nice story, a five minute audio book isn't useful in most any context that you are trying to use an audio book (car ride, distraction, etc). Buy the physical book or check it out from your local library and save your credit.