See You Later, Alligator!

The PERFECT story for back to school, See You Later, Alligator! by Lana Button and Noémi Gionet Landry helps to ease the start of school anxieties and give readers confidence to face the day.

It’s a school day for Flora and to her going to school is easy-peasy, except on those days when it’s not. Flora sometimes takes a few tries but makes her way into school with affirming words and her own courage.

Working at a preschool, I have seen first hand how tricky drop off time can be for both parents and children. This story by Lana Button will not only give children the confidence to enter school knowing they are safe and loved but also provides a wonderful guide for parents so they can navigate those tricky drop offs as well. 

I love how Lana Button has included the very famous lines from a poem that has become ubiquitous at times of saying goodbye. We are all quite familiar with the “See you later, alligator!” and I love how she has chosen some of the less familiar lines in the poem to share with readers, allowing readers to choose the ones that resonate the best for their families and incorporate them into the goodbye routine.

I also love how Flora projects confidence in the story but does go back a few times for extra love and hugs which is so incredibly commonplace. Readers will feel seen through Flora and will be able to recognize that they can build their confidence just like Flora.

The illustrations by Noémi Gionet Landry are so wonderful! I love how she features familiar families for all children and how she shows not only the children but also the parents being confident and loving at the school doors. Seeing the teachers, parents and children confidently navigating drop off is such and important example for children and helps them to build their own courage at drop off.