Book review

Melinda Takácsné Szabó’s monograph “The Heavy Schoolbag… Challenges of the Kindergarten–School Transition”

Abstract

This review provides a critical analysis of Melinda Takácsné Szabó’s monograph De nehéz az iskolatáska… Az óvoda–iskola átmenet nehézségei (“The Heavy Schoolbag… Challenges of the Kindergarten–School Transition”). The volume addresses the kindergarten–school transition from a systemic perspective, integrating historical, legal, developmental, and sociological approaches. The review highlights the theoretical coherence of the book and its empirical strengths, particularly the large-scale research involving educational professionals, while also reflecting on areas where further elaboration could enhance the analysis. From a critical standpoint, the review points to the potential value of a more explicit discussion of practical pedagogical dilemmas, as well as the deeper inclusion of parental and children’s perspectives. Overall, the monograph is assessed as a significant contribution to Hungarian educational research, offering valuable insights for teacher education, educational research, and institutional development.