Amanda Pig, First Grader (Oliver & Amanda Pig Books) [Hardcover]

Jean Van Leeuwen (Author), Ann Schweninger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Oliver & Amanda Pig Books

It is time for first grade, and Amanda Pig is so excited. This year she won?t have to take naps, she?ll play on the big playground, and best of all, she will know how to read! But something is wrong, because when Amanda looks at her book, she recognizes the letters but not the words. Will she ever be able to read?

In this funny installment of the award-winning Oliver and Amanda series, Amanda and her best friend, Lollipop, overcome nerves to discover what makes first grade so much fun. Jean Van Leeuwen and Ann Schweninger won an inaugural Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor for the previous book in the series, Amanda Pig and the Really Hot Day.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

"I've been waiting my whole life to go to school," said kindergarten-bound Amanda Pig in Amanda Pig, School Girl (1997). In this latest entry in the Amanda and Oliver easy-reader series, Amanda is just as eager to start first grade. Four short chapters follow her through her first days in class. There are a few struggles. She gets lost on the way to the office; the big kids steal the first grader's ball; and she is frustrated when her first day doesn't bring instantaneous literacy ("I thought I could read in first grade"). Very quickly, though, she begins to decipher words, and by the final episode, she skips recess to finish her first book. Once again, the author and illustrator zero in on a child's excitement and frustrations with warmth and accuracy. The clear, short sentences are calibrated for new readers, but the story, illustrated in appealing watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations, will also draw younger children still awaiting their first-grade debuts. Another solid entry in a winning series. Engberg, Gillian

About the Author

Jean Van Leeuwen lives in Westchester, New York.

Ann Schweninger lives in Ancram, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dial (July 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803731817
• ISBN-13: 978-0803731813
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,029,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring and encouraging tale for young students ... things really do get better!, May 3, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amanda Pig, First Grader (Oliver & Amanda Pig Books) (Hardcover)

Amanda was all excited about the first grade and could hardly wait to get to school. There would be all kinds of interesting changes and the biggest one of all was that she would learn to read. Her friend Lollipop wasn't all that crazy about the whole idea and was worried about all kinds of things. Amanda tried to reassure her by saying, "First grade is going to be great!" They were going to be in Mrs. Mary Ann Pig's first grade room six and things looked promising.

Promising things started to look kind of bad. Amanda really couldn't read (the words "I" and "and" didn't count). She didn't know her way around the school (lost is not good). She learned that big kids weren't all that nice at times (the big kids took their ball). Amanda Pig was a bit discouraged, but very soon things would start to look up for her!

Amanda Pig, first grader, faced issues that many grade school children do. Children anticipate that everything will be wonderful, but the little things soon get in the way and can become quite discouraging. Jean Van Leeuwen's story of Amanda's school woes and the happy resolution will encourage and inspire many young children. Things usually do get better and brighter! Of course Ann Schweninger's illustrations always add just the right zing to make these stories even more charming and appealing.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Addition to Amanda Series, August 8, 2011

By 

Pickie Reader - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Amanda Pig, First Grader (Oliver and Amanda Pig) (Mass Market Paperback)

I sent this book to my granddaughter who is entering first grade. She enjoys book series like this one, and sometimes needs a few ideas about how to deal with uncomfortable school situations. As a mother and educator, I thought the book was fairly reassuring, and pretty good about Amanda's solutions to problems. It wasn't perfect (not everyone has a big brother whom bullies respect), but I was glad the story showed that principals can be kind, and kids who find some things hard can still do other things well. Teachers who read this book should take note that when Amanda had difficulty reading, the teacher helped her by showing confidence in Amanda: sending her on an errand down the hallway. Hurray for compassionate teachers and principals!

5.0 out of 5 stars The kindergardener loved this one., May 24, 2011

By 

Veronika (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amanda Pig, First Grader (Oliver and Amanda Pig) (Mass Market Paperback)

My little kindergardener loved the story and I've been reading it to her three days in a row. I think, she can identify the worries and problems that little kids have at school sometimes (anxiety, getting lost in the corridors, interaction with bigger kids, etc.).
Also, the story how Amanda started reading (she knew the letters, but could not put them into words, but suddenly, one day she read "Once upon a time..." and continued; and although she did not know all the words yet, she could understand the story and was not afraid to proceed) had an interesting effect - next day after reading it for the first time my daughter announced - "I can read!" (just like Amanda), and read me one chapter of "Little bear" book for beginner readers. I was very happy! I think, story about Amanda helped with this barrier, when a child knows the letters and can put words together, but the skill of reading is still not quite there yet.