Gus and Sully: Ready For School

3.8

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Author(s)

Steve Light

Publisher

Candlewick Press

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

March 04, 2025

ISBN

978-1536238648

Buy This Book

Good morning! The amiable pair are back to show us how they start their day in a sweet, funny story for little ones from award-winning creator Steve Light.

Sully, wake up! We have to get ready.

It’s time for Gus the rhino and Sully the mouse to start their morning routine, beginning with a nice big stretch. They’ve each got a special style: healthy breakfast for Gus and nothing but sugar-frosted for Sully. Up-and-down with the toothbrush for one, and side-to-side for the other. Sully’s quick to put on pants one leg at a time, while Gus tries both legs in one (uh-oh, pants problem!). And though Gus carefully checks the necessary backpack items, and Sully stuffs everything inside but the kitchen sink, they’re both super excited to head off to school. We’re ready!

Editor review

1 review

It's always good to be prepared

March 04, 2025 (Updated: July 01, 2026)

Overall rating

3.8

Plot

3.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

In this board book, Gus, a rhino, and Sully, a mouse, wake up early and get started on their day! They stretch, have verys different breakfasts, and brush their teeth. They put on shirts and pants (with a few difficulties), as well as socks and shoes, and make sure that their backpacks contain all of the essentials for the day. For Gus, this includes pencils, a notebook, and a ruler, while Sully is a bit more adventurous with a teddy bear, bowling ball, and t.v. remote. When they are all ready, they head out to catch the bus for school.

Good Points

Having dealt with middle school students who aren't necessarily fans of the whole school experience, I think it's important to program children early on that education is fun. Since I'm a morning person, getting out of bed isn't a problem for me, but I can see a book like this being helpful for young readers who would rather NOT get out of their cozy covers. It's fun to see the variety of approaches that our friends have to the process of getting ready; Sully is definitely more of a wild card, while Gus is a steadying influence.

There are plenty of picture books about dynamic animal duos, like Dyckman's Duckie and Snaps, Kantorovitz's Monti and Leo, Cordell's Cornbread and Poppy, Davies' Sydney and Taylor, and, of course, Lobel's Frog and Toad. Gus and Sully are a unique board book offering of friends who enjoy being together even though they are a bit different.