● A gentle way to broach the subject of first-day school jitters.

● A rich story that shows how siblings react differently to the idea of school.

● An important new entry in the popular series of “Martin” books, which tackle childhood transitions.

School is right around the corner, but Martin isn’t feeling very excited to begin kindergarten. His little sister, on the other hand, wishes she had a chance to pack a backpack, play ball with all her friends, and have teachers read stories to her. “He’s so lucky!” she exclaims. Gently, Martin’s mother helps him overcome his anxieties as she prepares him for what school will be like. By the time summer is over, Martin is feeling more confident than ever that school is the right place for a big kid like him. This is a touching, helpful story that tackles the school anxieties that so many young children face.