This follow-up to "Jake Stays Awake" is a laugh-out-loud look at one family's dilemma of dealing with first-school-day separation. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

PreS-Gr 1 The over-the-top humor of Jake Stays Awake (Feiwel & Friends, 2007) continues as Jake begins school. He and his pushover parents end up spending the first day of school trying to share tiny chairs, seesaw rides, and even a tricycle, since Jake will not let go of Mom and Dad. He finally relaxes when the teacher reads a story about a dog named Fred. "I have a dog. His name is Fred," Jake says. Fears forgotten, he walks to the front of the room and holds the book for his teacher. The computer-generated cartoon illustrations are full of unusual angles and bug-eyed, bullet-headed people. The sing-songy rhyming text describes Jake's actions (including passing gas) but never really makes clear why he's so terrified. The story might seem funny to parents or to older children, but is unlikely to reassure the target audience of kids who are just starting school. Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

In this tongue-in-cheek sequel to Jake Stays Awake (2002), Jake starts first grade, but when his parents try to leave, he wraps himself around their knees and refuses to let go. After unsuccessful attempts to pry him off, the parents reluctantly stay for the start of class: "They walked into the room as one / and tried to be discreet. / But that's not easy when you've got / three people in a seat." Stuck to his parents in various awkward positions, Jake misses all of the fun, including finger painting, recess, and feeding the class pets, until his teacher finds a way to loosen him up. Although the rhyming text reads aloud well, Wright's distinctive, bold illustrations carry much of the humor; for instance, images of Jake and his parents squeezing onto a tricycle or climbing a jungle gym are guaranteed to generate laughs. This funny selection will easily transform first-day jitters into giggles. Hutley, Krista. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.