When An Elephant Comes To School

by Jan Ormerod

What happens when an elephant goes to school? Well he fits right in so he can learn, nap, paint, and dance, of course!

"When an elephant comes to school he may be shy at first. A special friend can show him where to put his lunch box."

The first day of school is hard, especially when you are an elephant. But with the help of some new friends, any elephant could get into the swing of things. Jan Ormerod's beautifully illustrated story, WHEN AN ELEPHANT COMES TO SCHOOL, is sure to delight and dazzle any child with excitement and imagination. What would your child do if an elephant came to his or her school?

Genres: School, Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Back To School, Humor, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Jan Ormerod grew up in the small towns of Western Australia, with three older sisters, and as a child she drew constantly and compulsively. She went to art school and studied drawing, painting and sculpture. After completing her degree, Jan become an Associate of the Western Australian Institute of Technology and Design in Education, taught in secondary schools on enrichment programmes, and lectured in teacher’s college and art schools. Jan's first picture book, "Sunshine", won the Mother Goose Award in 1982 and was highly commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Her recent titles include "Ben Goes Swimming", "Emily Dances", "Who’s Who on Our Street?", " A Twist in the Tail" and "Ponko and the South Pole".
http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/authors...

Reviews

[The Bougie Twins · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This clever picture book does far more than describe the first day of school for

Clear heading structure the story. Each heading may assuage fears or confusions for young students. Such as:

* Sharing
* Arts and Crafts
* Helping

HUMOR IS ABUNDANT, TOO

In general this lighthearted book with words and pictures by Jan Ormerod earns an A+ with me. Goodreads translation: FIVE STARS

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the first day of school for Elephant. He has a lot to learn, and it's up to his classmates to make him feel welcomed. There is a lot to do before the day is over, and with a little cooperation things will move along smoothly.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[KatherineG · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an elephant comes to school is a children’s book about an elephant starting his first day of school. He requires help in getting around the classroom, finding where to hang his things, he needs a lot of cuddles, he loves to play, he loves to chat, he loves to join in everything and loves to experiment. Moreover, this elephant loves to make friends and have fun but, he loves to see his mum at the end of the school day.
Children can relate to this picture book, especially on their first day of school or when a new student arrives for the first time. Even though this book is about the elephant’s new day, it also shows how children can be very helpful in showing the ‘new student’ around. Children in Nursery and Reception will relate more to this book as the pictures involve a lot of play-based activities. This book shows how shy a child can be on their first day of school but, it also shows how quickly confidence unleashes itself when you are in a safe and fun environment.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When this elephant comes to school, he does all the things a young child might do on his or her first day of school, too. The story runs through the different parts of the day school-aged child may encounter:

Morning Time
Sharing Time
Arts & Crafts
Helping
How & Why?
Whoops!
Lunch
Playing
Quiet Time
Movement
Storytelling
Bye-Bye

The kids will identify and commiserate with the elephant and will idenify with the struggles and fears all kids have when starting school.

Used for "Elephants!" Storytime: February, 2012.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Day of School 2

I liked this book. The idea of an elephant coming to school is always fun. I would read this book when we got a new student because a new student is also a novelty. Although I liked how this book showed what the elephant did and did not like, it sent mixed feelings about if the elephant likes to share.

Interest Level http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/bo...
Grades PreK - 3
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: 2.0
Lexile® Measure: Not Available
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: Not Available

[Katie Jelinek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a delightful read as this book protrayed the first day of school for an elephant. As anyone would start out when going to school, it is normal for them to be nervous or uneasy until they feel comfortable enough to be themselves. This book displays important lessons to learn in as children can discover they are not the only ones to feel shy and anxious in a new situation. They can also find out how to make a newcomer feel welcome.

[Yates Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good for the first days of school, because it breaks the day into different parts. For example there is sharing time, arts and crafts, playing, lunch, and storytelling time which could possibly be in your class schedule. It is also about an elephant, so it would be a silly story for the students to read about an animal.

[Katie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book tells about the things that kids do in school. This would be a great read for the first day of school, even though elephants don't go to school, because it shows children that everything will be okay. It shows children that at the end of the day, their parent will be there for them and that they haven't left them stranded.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book that offers gentle reminders of both how to behave and what to expect at school. This is perfect to read to a little one about to start school (or return after a school break.)

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

My boys love elephants, so this was a fun book to read.

[Nisah Haron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good motivation for children who refuse to go to school!

[Cpt_bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

preachy