First Day

I bought this book for my niece for her first day of school. She read it for a few weeks before she started and loved the book -- especially the pictures and the rhymes. When the first day came, she was a little apprehensive, like the girl in the book, but by the time she came home, she was sad that she had to leave and couldn't wait to go back.

Dandi Daley Mackall's book, "First Day" is an entertaining and engaging walk through a nervous child's first day at school. Charming and amusing at the same time, this book puts children at ease and lets them know that what appears to be a daunting activity may very well turn out to be a wonderful adventure. Mackall's gift of rhyme makes this story sparkle. Her words always flow perfectly, making First Day an easy and enjoyable read. I would recommend this book for any child who has misgivings about the first day of school - or even for a child who's wholeheartedly looking forward to it.

The narrator in First Day tells of her first-day jitters in simple, rhyming sentences. ?Swirls of girls, / bands of boys, / talking, laughing, making noise. / I already miss my toys. / It's only my first day.? Once in the classroom she plans her getaway (digging to China with a spoon, or taking a rocket to the moon). ?I'd be outta here by noon,? she posits. But, like most children on their first day, the narrator finds that school is not quite as bad as she imagined it to be. Coloring sheets with teddy bears, building tall towers, a new lunch box, and recess all combine to make the day enjoyable. By story's end she asks, ?How much better can it get on my second day?? Accompanying the large-print text are watercolor and acrylic illustrations. Done in somewhat muted, warm colors, the childlike paintings are full of realistic details and smiling faces, giving the book a comforting, friendly feel. This is a great choice for a first-day-of-school read aloud. Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff.