Recess Mess

First-Grade Friends

by Grace Maccarone, Betsy Lewin (Illustrations)

First graders can relate to this story of poor Sam, who needs to go to the boys' room, but since he cannot read or spell, he worries that he will not know which door to enter. Original.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, 1st Grade

32 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Grace Maccarone is an American children’s book editor and author, notably of Miss Lina’s Ballerinas, illustrated by Christine Davenier, and its sequel Miss Lina’s Ballerinas and the Prince. She has also worked as an editor at Scholastic, Wireless Generation, and currently Holiday House.

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Sam has to use an unfamiliar restroom during recess, he doesn’t know which door to enter because he can’t read the words “boys” and “girls.”

This beginning reader features a plausible problem to which some young readers may relate. It also illustrates why public restrooms are usually marked with universal male and female toilet door signage.

When Sam needs to use the toilet during recess, he doesn't know which restroom to enter because he can't read the words "boys" and "girls." He uses his problem solving skills and waits for another child to exit the bathroom in order to discover which of the two doors to enter. (Luckily, Sam doesn’t pee his pants while he is waiting.) In order to avoid this problem in the future, Sam teaches himself to read and spell the words “g-i-r-l-s” and “b-o-y-s" and feels proud of his accomplishment.

This is a good solution as long as Sam doesn’t encounter any toilet facilities labeled “ladies” and “gents/gentlemen” or “does” and “bucks.” The latter is common in my neck of the woods. This designation is usually accompanied by deer silhouettes for the illiterate or those who don’t know the vocabulary, but this still requires would-be users to know that male deers are the ones with antlers.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for bolstering the confidence of a beginning reader. It has simple, short sentences and lots of colorful pictures. It shows children of various abilities and friends playing together. Sam, who always seems to have problems in these books, needs to go potty but doesn't know which door to pick. He figures it out and starts to learn to read in the process.

[Leyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the rhyming in this book and I also liked reading about the same characters of the previous one, but I know it can be hard to have a story with depth when the audience is so young. I think my 7-year-old is past this series.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

haha. I tried to get PB to read it alone and she wouldn't. I read it to her and she loved it. I knew she would.

[Cws]

JEARK-Mac

[Gabriel Dubransky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little better than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

[Amy Mccarty]

***10/8/13D

[Yasuko · Rating 2 out of 5]

2013.4.25 169words

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

good rhyming words and helpful pictures for those struggling to figure out the actual words still. The young lady who read it to me thought it was quite funny!