First Day [Hardcover]

Dandi Daley Mackall (Author), Tiphanie Beeke (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The first day of school means new shoes, fresh crayons, and a fancy lunch box. It also means leaving Mom and Dad behind, a notion that's likely to rattle even the most eager new student--and this little girl is no exception. Her classroom seems overwhelming, and the older kids are awfully big. But she soon realizes that a friendly teacher and some new pals can help even the most reticent student move past the jitters and into the fun!
Perfect for any child starting school, Dandi Daley Mackall's simple rhyming text and Tiphanie Beeke's cheerful illustrations will reassure children--and parents--who are nervous about a first day.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-Readers follow a little girl about to start school from early morning to the end of the school day. Getting dressed, she appears excited and enthusiastic about this new experience. By the time she is in the car, she asks: "Feeling funny in the car- `Don't you think we've gone too far?'" Once she enters the classroom, her fears subside as she meets her teacher and classmates and the class pet, and participates in group activities. The rhyming text gives the story a sweet, singsong quality that makes this a lighthearted romp to share with youngsters just entering preschool or kindergarten. The softly colored, reassuring art works well with the simple text that is set on pastel backgrounds. A useful addition for collections that receive many requests for school transition stories.
Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-K. Two tiny black dots and a rosebud-shaped squiggle turn a pink daub of paint into a child's happy face; rectangles of different colors become a tower of blocks; unrestricted lines, straight and curved, thick and thin, comprise a playground slide. Using spot art and full-page watercolors in a riot of color, a perfusion of shapes, and simple patterns, Beeke shows children enjoying all the activities they might experience at preschool or kindergarten. A childlike lilt adds a youthful sensibility to a little girl's description of her first day--from preparations ("Pencils sharp, crayons stacked, / ruler, scissors, paper packed) and the "swallow hard" anxiety of leaving home and facing strangers to the wiggling, painting, sliding, and storytelling that fill out a happy, full day. A cheerful, encouraging preview that realistically acknowledges both the feelings and the fun. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152165770
• ISBN-13: 978-0152165772
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,841,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dandi won her first writing contest as a 10-year-old tomboy. Her 50 words on "Why I Want to Be Batboy for the Kansas City A's" won first place, but the team wouldn't let a girl be batboy. It was her first taste of rejection.
Since then, Dandi Daley Mackall has become an award-winning author of over 400 books for children of all ages, with sales of 4 million copies in 22 countries. Recent picture books with Sleeping Bear Press include Legend of Ohio, Rudy Rides the Rails: A Depression Era Story (Notable Book 2008 - Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People National Council of Social Studies & Children's Book Council; winner of the Angel Award, 2008; Winner of the "Award of Excellence" from Chicago Book Show 2007) and 2008 release, A Girl Named Dan (her own "batboy" story, and a lesson on Title IX), 2 Mom's Choice Awards & Amelia Bloom Award. Eva Underground, Harcourt young adult novel, nominated ALA Best Book 2007, starred Kirkus review, awarded a Top Teen Read by New York Public Library, finalist for Ohioana Award, was based on the author's experiences behind the Iron Curtain. Love Rules was awarded Romantic Times' Top Pick. Middle-grade fiction, Larger-than-Life Lara, Dutton/Penguin, which teaches how to write, while tackling the problem of bullying, is on the KY Bluegrass Award List 2007-8; William Allan White Award list, 2008-9; KS and KY Children's Choice lists. Her Winnie the Horse Gentler series has sold over half a million books and Starlight Animal Rescue is a Gold Medallion finalist. Dandi received the 2009 Helen Keating Ott Award for distinguished contribution toward promoting high moral and ethical values in children and young adult literature. She also received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 2008 from the University of Missouri. Dandi is a national speaker, keynoting at conferences and Young Author events, and has made dozens of appearances on TV, including ABC, NBC, and CBS. Visit Dandi at www.dandibooks.com, winniethehorsegentler.com, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85oaIUbJ8j8

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educators Recommend, February 28, 2004

By 

Education Oasis "Education Oasis" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Day (Hardcover)

The narrator in First Day tells of her first-day jitters in simple, rhyming sentences. Swirls of girls, / bands of boys, / talking, laughing, making noise. / I already miss my toys. / It's only my first day.

Once in the classroom she plans her getaway (digging to China with a spoon, or taking a rocket to the moon). I'd be outta here by noon, she posits. But, like most children on their first day, the narrator finds that school is not quite as bad as she imagined it to be. Coloring sheets with teddy bears, building tall towers, a new lunch box, and recess all combine to make the day enjoyable. By story's end she asks, How much better can it get on my second day?

Accompanying the large-print text are watercolor and acrylic illustrations. Done in somewhat muted, warm colors, the childlike paintings are full of realistic details and smiling faces, giving the book a comforting, friendly feel.

This is a great choice for a first-day-of-school read aloud.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for any child with school-time jitters, July 23, 2004

By 

Katrina B. - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Day (Hardcover)

Dandi Daley Mackall's book, "First Day" is an entertaining and engaging walk through a nervous child's first day at school. Charming and amusing at the same time, this book puts children at ease and lets them know that what appears to be a daunting activity may very well turn out to be a wonderful adventure. Mackall's gift of rhyme makes this story sparkle. Her words always flow perfectly, making First Day an easy and enjoyable read. I would recommend this book for any child who has misgivings about the first day of school - or even for a child who's wholeheartedly looking forward to it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Book, September 7, 2011

By 

Micah's Mom - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First Day (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my daughters first day of school. She loved it! We read it every night for about a week. I highly recommend it for someone who is just starting school and might be feeling scared or nervous.