1. As a former teacher, how do you define Kindergarten Readiness?

   To me, that means there are certain things kids should be able to do before they start kindergarten. Many might think this only means knowing the alphabet and early counting skills, which are certainly part of it, but equally important are behavior skills like listening and taking turns, as well as bathroom skills. We’ve included a lot of these in K IS FOR KINDERGARTEN (Illus. Joseph Cowman/ Sleeping Bear).

   

2. How does it help young children become better readers?

   In my opinion, being ready for kindergarten does not mean a child should already know how to read independently. I would say kindergarten readiness includes being able to follow simple directions, and fine motor skills like how to hold a pencil or crayon and scissors, which in turn helps a child write his name. Listening skills are very important in Kindergarten, as is respect for others and the books and supplies they will use. Curiosity and a thirst for learning are key. Reading to a child is one of the best things you can do to help with readiness. ALL of these skills help child to focus, learn their letters and their sounds, discover new words, and feel successful. These are the starting points of reading.

   2b. Is there a reader-friendly scholarly article you can recommend for people who want to know more about Kindergarten Readiness?

   https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/resources/kindergarten-readiness/

   

3. Can you tell us about your Kindergarten book and how it relates to Kindergarten Readiness?

   K IS FOR KINDERGARTEN is a humorous, fun-filled alphabet book centered around the skills needed to be successful in Kindergarten. Each spread has a Kinder Countdown activity for kids who can’t wait for school to start, and a Kinder Challenge for teachers and students to do throughout the year. Every activity is age appropriate, fully vetted by my Kindergarten teacher friends, and easy to facilitate. (One mom told me it was “like Pinterest in a book.”)

4. What are some of the stories you have published since then?

   Thanks for asking! Some of my other picture books include JUST FLOWERS (Illus. Kate Cosgrove / Sleeping Bear), CHRISTMAS AHOY! (Sleeping Bear / Illus. Kayla Stark), the award‐winning DEAR EARTH…From Your Friends in Room 5 (Harper Collins / Illus. Luisa Uribe), SNOW GLOBE WISHES (Illus. Claire Shorrock / Sleeping Bear ‐ an Anna Dewdney Read Together honor book; THE HALF BIRTHDAY BOOK (Genius Cat / Germán Blanco), and silly PETER EASTER FROG (Simon & Schuster, Caitlyn Dlouhy Books / Illus. G. Brian Karas). For more see https://erindealey.com/

5. What are some future stories you have in the pipeline or some new ideas?

   I’m very excited about my next project, an SEL picture book called SQUIRREL DRAWS BIG FEELINGS, illustrated by Luciana Nararro Powell, which is scheduled to be released in Spring of 2025 by Beaming Books.

6. Anything specific and practical you want to say to parents or teachers or librarians or principals about Kindergarten Readiness?

   My message is about Time.

   Dear Parents ‐ Just by the fact that you are reading this tells me you realize how important this milestone of starting kindergarten is for your child’s success. It’s increasingly difficult to juggle so much in our lives but so very important to make time for our kids. Sitting and reading K IS FOR KINDERGARTEN ‐ or any picture book ‐ together is so simple and so important. I’m guessing “What happened at school today?” will be a common question at your house. And I’m hoping you’ll be there to take the time to listen to the answer. Time spent together is such a gift.

   Dear Teachers and Principals ‐ The beginning of a school year was always one of my favorite times. I loved prepping the room, making lesson plans (Yes, I am one of those.), trying new approaches, and collaborating with colleagues to make the year successful for all of our students. Thank you for taking the time. Thank you for stepping up, every day. You make a difference in the lives of our young people. Never forget that.

7. Any last words or comments?

   I wrote K IS FOR KINDERGARTEN when my friend’s son could not WAIT to go to school. We told him once he turned five, he could go, so the morning of his birthday ‐ which was in the summer ‐ he was packed and ready to go ‐ haha. It’s a very special time for both kids and the adults in their lives. I hope K IS FOR KINDERGARTEN helps families celebrate this exciting milestone.

Reviews

PreK‐K ‐ The alphabet frames this collection of activities for kindergarten, highlighting 26 (and more) words and challenges for youngsters anticipating the highlights of a school day. As rhyming verse introduces each activity, a sidebar lists Countdown and Challenge activities for more adventurous readers and their parents. Animated cartoon faces of children enjoying learning fill double‐page views of the kinderworld. Bouncing balls, crayons, excited grinning faces peering out school bus windows, and plenty of books to read and instruments to play paint a picture of happy classroom experiences. Amid the expected sights, a bit of humor features the impossibility of bringing a beloved pet elephant to school. “P.S. If your elephant is too big to sit on your desk, please leave him at home!” In contrast to the subdued palette of the cover, the interior art is vibrant and active, flowing easily to draw readers from page to page.

VERDICT A suggested general purchase for most libraries, this well‐organized book will encourage readers to practice new words, learn through hands‐on creativity, and face new challenges. A solid selection for one‐on‐one and small group sharing. ‐ Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX ‐ School Library Journal