My First Day of School

by Nancy J. Skarmeas, Meredith Johnson (Illustrator)

Five-year-old Daniel liked preschool just fine, but he is not so sure he wants to go to kindergarten, so with encouragement from his mom and other people in the community, Daniel's fears disappear.

Genres: School, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[The Campbell Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept the kids engaged. Illustrations were just okay.

[Tobinsfavorite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone donated a whole bunch of these to the school, I think, because all the kindergartners got one. It's a pleasant enough helpful tale of Daniel, who is quite happy with his current life and doesn't want to take the big step into the great kindergarten unknown. It has some annoying aspects, like being completely predictable and describing a character as red haired three pages after she is shown a brunette, but I still kind of like it, mostly due to the art. I also find it funny, more so because I think the humor is unintentional, like in the case of "Mrs. Gungle, who lives on the farm across the street", "milking her goats". It's kind of unclear what kind of community Daniel lives in because on the one hand, there's a farm across the street, but on the other hand, he doesn't know any of the other kids going to kindergarten despite the fact that there are enough of them to warrant a kindergarten bus.

Yes, I overthought this. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you child has predictable fears about going to school (Mine couldn't wait.) and you want a book to ease the transition, but if it comes your way, neither would I suggest you shun it.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute book for a little kid getting ready to go to kindergarten. Helps them to be reassured about the change.

[Nick Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for children going back to school. Very funny.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

little daniel will soon be starting school... great illustrations.