School's First Day of School

by Adam Rex, Christian Robinson (Illustrator)

Overview

"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."― School Library Journal, starred review

A heartwarming and clever first day of school tale, from New York Times bestsellers Adam Rex (The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors) and Christian Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street).

It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him?

The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.

This delightful back-to-school picture book told from the POV of the school is a great read-aloud, and perfect for readers of all ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781596439641
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	06/28/2016
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 11.50(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Adam Rex is the award-winning author and illustrator of more than forty books including the New York Times bestsellers Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, School’s First Day of School, and Chu’s Day, as well as The True Meaning of Smekday, which was adapted for film by DreamWorks. He lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his cat, dog, son, and wife.

Christian Robinson's award-winning books for young readers include Josephine, which was a Coretta Scott King Honor Book as well as a Sibert Honor Book, and Harlem's Little Blackbird, which was an NAACP Image Award nominee. His book Last Stop on Market Street earned four starred reviews and was on the New York Times bestseller list.

Editorial Reviews

…[a] funny, unexpectedly touching tale of a timorous school learning the ropes…Robinson's ever-adorable art shines, perfectly capturing a bustling school's potent mix of architecture and emotion.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

*Recipient of 7 starred reviews!*

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the 21st Century

"Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street) gives the school just a hint of visual personification in his flattened, paint-and-collage artwork, as Rex (Moonday) deftly juggles well-placed jokes and keen insights into feeling comfortable in one’s own skin—or bricks, as the case may be."—Publishers Weekly, starred

"Using his signature, simple style, Robinson alternates scenes of the building and its interiors with shots that show the boisterously diverse kids' first day.A unique point of view makes this school book stand out."—Kirkus Reviews, starred

"Sure to become a staple for first days of school everywhere."—Horn Book, starred

"This charming reversal of first-day-of-school nerves will delight little ones and help put their own anxieties at bay."—Booklist, starred

"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."— School Library Journal, starred

"A delightful, perspective-tweaking back-to-school picture book."—Shelf Awareness, starred

"Anthropomorphization of the whole building is a new and promising approach for school-shy youngsters, and it’ll make the already school-positive want to give their beloved building a hug."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred

From the Publisher

★ 2016-05-04
Rex offers a different perspective on the first day of school: that of the newly constructed school building itself.Robinson's illustrations of Frederick Douglass Elementary are anthropomorphized only from the front and side views (two doors with a window "eye" in each, the two handles making a nose, and mouthlike stairs). Throughout the book, though, the text relays the conversations the school has with Janitor as well as its often funny thoughts and feelings. The brand-new school isn't so sure that he will enjoy having children inside its walls learning and playing. Once they are there, the school is shocked by a few of the older kids who remark "This place stinks," and "I hate school." And when one little freckled girl has to be carried in by her mother, he thinks, "I must be awful." He's embarrassed by his fire alarm and doesn't like having milk snorted on him. But he enjoys learning about shapes with the kindergarten kids, and he likes the change he sees coming over the freckled girl. In fact, he has so much fun on the first day that he asks Janitor to invite all the kids back again tomorrow. "I'll see what I can do," says the laconic black man. Using his signature, simple style, Robinson alternates scenes of the building and its interiors with shots that show the boisterously diverse kids' first day.A unique point of view makes this school book stand out. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews