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It's Your First Day of School, Annie Claire
Is tomorrow the day?
Yes it is, my dear.
The first day of school
Will finally be here.
It’s Annie Claire’s first day of school, and she doesn’t know what to What if she snores during nap time? What if the other kids count and color better than she can? What if no one plays with her?
Perfect for every child who is about to start school and needs some reassurance about the changes to come, the cheerful text and soothing illustrations in It’s Your First Day of School, Annie Claire will calm fears and build excitement for the special new year ahead.
F&P I
F&P F
Yes it is, my dear.
The first day of school
Will finally be here.
It’s Annie Claire’s first day of school, and she doesn’t know what to What if she snores during nap time? What if the other kids count and color better than she can? What if no one plays with her?
Perfect for every child who is about to start school and needs some reassurance about the changes to come, the cheerful text and soothing illustrations in It’s Your First Day of School, Annie Claire will calm fears and build excitement for the special new year ahead.
F&P I
F&P F
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2009
15 people want to read
About the author
Nancy White Carlstrom
75 books24 followersNancy White Carlstrom has written more than 50 books for children, including the Jesse Bear series with illustrator Bruce Degan.
Born the daughter of steel mill worker William J. and Eva (Lawrence) White, Nancy White Carlstrom was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, on August 4, 1948. She practiced writing poetry, enjoyed reading books like Little Women, and wanted to become a children’s book author at an early age. Carlstrom worked in the children’s department of her local library in Washington during her high school years. She graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, majoring in Elementary Education and earning her B.A. in 1970, also studying at Harvard Extension School and Radcliffe from 1974 to 1976. In September of 1974, she married David R. Carlstrom, later a pilot and a marketing director at Fairbanks International Airport. They had two children—Jesse and Joshua.
She draws inspiration from her 18 years living in Alaska, volunteer experiences in Africa and Haiti, and raising her two sons.
Born the daughter of steel mill worker William J. and Eva (Lawrence) White, Nancy White Carlstrom was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, on August 4, 1948. She practiced writing poetry, enjoyed reading books like Little Women, and wanted to become a children’s book author at an early age. Carlstrom worked in the children’s department of her local library in Washington during her high school years. She graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, majoring in Elementary Education and earning her B.A. in 1970, also studying at Harvard Extension School and Radcliffe from 1974 to 1976. In September of 1974, she married David R. Carlstrom, later a pilot and a marketing director at Fairbanks International Airport. They had two children—Jesse and Joshua.
She draws inspiration from her 18 years living in Alaska, volunteer experiences in Africa and Haiti, and raising her two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 16, 2023
Looking for a soothing book for a preschooler with first day of school jitters?
You've arrived. Just turn the pages of "It's Your First Day of School, Annie Claire."
* Even the child's name sounds sweet and vulnerable -- to me, at least: cute little Annie Claire.
* Illustrations are pretty and preschool-friendly, very gentle.
* While the dialog is all about comforting.
For instance:
"What if others can sing
And color and count
And I can't do anything
But shout, shout, shout?"
"Annie Claire, when you're loud,
Your teacher might say,
"Use an inside voice--
It's much better that way."
FIVE STARS.
You've arrived. Just turn the pages of "It's Your First Day of School, Annie Claire."
* Even the child's name sounds sweet and vulnerable -- to me, at least: cute little Annie Claire.
* Illustrations are pretty and preschool-friendly, very gentle.
* While the dialog is all about comforting.
For instance:
"What if others can sing
And color and count
And I can't do anything
But shout, shout, shout?"
"Annie Claire, when you're loud,
Your teacher might say,
"Use an inside voice--
It's much better that way."
FIVE STARS.
December 7, 2018
It's your first day of school, Busy Bus! by Shaffer_ Jody Jensen
Listened to this colorful illustrated children's story and can tell the pictures tell the story.
The bus, it's their first time driving on the first day of school. Love how the bus is prepared, better than a 28 point inspection when you bring your current car in for service.
Everything is gone through and up to speed.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Listened to this colorful illustrated children's story and can tell the pictures tell the story.
The bus, it's their first time driving on the first day of school. Love how the bus is prepared, better than a 28 point inspection when you bring your current car in for service.
Everything is gone through and up to speed.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
May 5, 2023
This book was very cute! I think that this would be a great book to read to children who are about to start school because it can be scary to start school and this may help them feel a little bit more comfortable going. I really enjoyed looking at the illustrations in the book as well.
August 12, 2024
Happy first day of school Gpop, Lolly, and Mimi! Library book really sweet explaining that no matter what you’ll be great at school!
“I will always love you. No matter what happens or what you might do.
My love stays with you wherever you are-whenever I’m near you whenever I’m far”
“I will always love you. No matter what happens or what you might do.
My love stays with you wherever you are-whenever I’m near you whenever I’m far”
September 30, 2025
I loved this book!! It is a sweet story about the excitement and worries of starting school for the first time. It would be a wonderful classroom read to comfort new students and help them feel understood.
December 23, 2025
The more picture books I read, the more firmly I believe rhyming takes away from telling a good story. I enjoyed the illustrations. they reminded me of Rosemary wilds and Beatrix Potter. But I didn't like the writing style.
December 6, 2018
This book can be read to children who are beginning school. The rhymes in the book will help children feel ready and comfortable for school.
January 12, 2013
(Mommy's review from 9/26/10)
While I don't think it will actually calm an anxious child this is a wonderful, wonderful book. Both Julia and I adored it and I think most parents who like books about never letting a child go will.
Rhyming books are my thing and they seem to be more to Julia's liking also and we have our own little phrase(s) we say to each other to the effect of "never letting go", "always be there", etc., as I'm sure most parents do. Hopefully. So this in sort of an extension of that and I think most children will grasp this even if it's not spoken.
I didn't like the couple of what I felt were intrusions to the story where the Mother dog states 'Love you, my ____ Annie Claire'. It's not needed. The rhyming text is plenty to get the point across and it's beautiful without the excess. There were only about three of these intrusions so I'm rating it as if there weren't any because I loved it so much. Oh yeah, Julia did too. :)
While I don't think it will actually calm an anxious child this is a wonderful, wonderful book. Both Julia and I adored it and I think most parents who like books about never letting a child go will.
Rhyming books are my thing and they seem to be more to Julia's liking also and we have our own little phrase(s) we say to each other to the effect of "never letting go", "always be there", etc., as I'm sure most parents do. Hopefully. So this in sort of an extension of that and I think most children will grasp this even if it's not spoken.
I didn't like the couple of what I felt were intrusions to the story where the Mother dog states 'Love you, my ____ Annie Claire'. It's not needed. The rhyming text is plenty to get the point across and it's beautiful without the excess. There were only about three of these intrusions so I'm rating it as if there weren't any because I loved it so much. Oh yeah, Julia did too. :)
December 28, 2015
This book was read for Wesley’s summer reading club. Wesley is my (soon to be five year old) son. This review is what we used for his reading club.
***
Wesley likes reading stories about someone going to school.
***
Very cute and realistic! A must read for any child going to school for the first time!
***
Wesley likes reading stories about someone going to school.
***
Very cute and realistic! A must read for any child going to school for the first time!
January 15, 2010
Annie Claire has a lot of "What if's" in this rhyming book about the first day of school. Kids will relate to cuddly, unintimidating, Annie Claire and her puppy classmates.
Perfect for a "First Day Jitters" storytime!
Perfect for a "First Day Jitters" storytime!
July 2, 2014
This is a perfect book to read to a young child beginning school. With all the uncertain questions like 'will you miss me' "what if my chair misses me" etc. Annie Claire has all those questions along with her Momma answering them and reassuring her things would be okay.
January 14, 2010
i get what the author was trying to do, but it doesn't work very well
February 27, 2010
A little too precious.
March 15, 2016
Good for a child who is apprehensive about starting school and being in the classroom and away from home and mom. Mom reassures little Annie Clare of all her fears. Uses rhymes.
March 18, 2016
Good for a child who is apprehensive about starting school and being in the classroom and away from home and mom. Mom reassures little Annie Clare of all her fears. Uses rhymes.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews