Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn't want to start over at a new school. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. This charming and familiar story will delight readers with its surprise ending.
Fun, energetic illustrations brighten page after page with the busy antics surrounding Sarah Jane. First Day Jitters is an enchanting story that is sure to be treasured by anyone who has every anticipated a first day of school.
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Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-Sarah is hiding under her covers as Mr. Hartwell asks, "You don't want to miss the first day at your new school do you?" From under the blanket she replies, "I'm not going." When he reminds her how much she liked her other school and asks her to think of all the new friends she'll meet, she imagines a classroom where a paper airplane is flying, a boy is pulling his neighbor's pigtail, and another is blowing a gigantic bubble. Mr. Hartwell finally gets Sarah to stumble out of bed, eat a bit of toast, and get into the car where she slumps down into her seat. At school, the principal cheerfully welcomes her and takes her to the classroom where she is introduced as "Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell," the new teacher. There is a bit of foreshadowing that Sarah is an adult, but as she is always partially hidden, the ending will come as a surprise to most readers. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations are full of action and maintain the lighthearted tone. A little subplot in the paintings shows the family cat and dog having their own contest of wills while their owner is trying to get his wife up and out. The joke provides a good laugh and children may find it reassuring that they are not alone in their anxieties about new situations.
Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Danneberg puts a fresh twist on an annual crisis suffered by millions: the arrival of that dread day in September when school starts. The alarm rings, but Sarah Jane Hartwell just burrows deeper into her covers, announcing that shes not going, wailing `` `I dont know anybody, and it will be hard, and . . . I just hate it, thats all.' '' Finally, Mr. Hartwell firmly orders her down to breakfast, puts her in the car and drops her off to join the children flooding through the school doors. Love fills the sharply detailed illustrations with happy, individually distinct faces, vividly capturing the fateful mornings hubbub and, aside from a few hints for the sharp-eyed, artfully setting viewers up for the climactic revelation that Sarah Jane is not a student, but a teacher. Many children will be amazed at the idea that teachers get butterflies too, especially if theyve been exposed to the hyper-efficient protagonist of Joseph Slates Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten (1996). (Picture book. 6-8) -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
School & Library Binding
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a brand-new teacher (first grade), I thought this would be a great icebreaker and nerve-soother to read to my kids on the first day of school. None of them expected the surprise ending. The book helped both my criers and the rest of the class -- I talked to the criers about jitters, and how I had them, and how most everyone has them on the first day of school. I was able to use the book as an example to those better-adjusted kids, explaining that some people have worse first-day jitters than others. It was a great book to ease the kids into school again!
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:School & Library Binding
I recently read this book at a teacher training class that I attended. This book really helped to put me at ease for the first day of school, as I am sure it will for children of all ages. Who doesn't get first day jitters? Children do (even if they say they don't), but why not read this book to show them that teachers get jitters too?
This is a very funny story with a surprise ending. A must for every parent and teacher of young children!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:School & Library Binding
As this delightful picture book shows, first day jitters aren't just for kindergarteners. The first day in a new school has Sarah Jane Hartwell ducking for the covers. Mr. Hartwell tries to ease her nerves with calm reassurance and wise advice.
But Sarah Jane is convinced that staying home in bed is the answer to her general fears about a new school: she doesn't know anyone, no one will like her, it's just too hard and besides, she hates school.
Kids will identify with Sarah Jane's free-floating school anxiety, even if this isn't their first year in a new school. Love's richly-colored ink and watercolor illustrations help build anticipation for the surprise ending to Danneberg's story, a twist that will delight kids and give them a new perspective on the first day of school.
Perfect late August reading for everyone heading back to school.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for beginning of school year
This is a great book to read to the students at the beginning of the school year to show that it is not just the students who are nervous about the beginning of a new school year!
Published 10 hours ago by marcie peterson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book for beginners at school
Its a good book and can be used at the first of the year for early school age children. Would suggest very early age children.
Published 2 months ago by dancingdoxins
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good children's lit
Bought this book for my daughter before she started kindergarten and it was a great book for that. Likes to read it now even after she loves going to school. Read more
Published 4 months ago by erb22
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hit with the teacher (ME!)
I bought this as I was changing grades and needed new things for BTS. Not really sure where I got the idea for this, but sure glad I bought it! :)
Published 4 months ago by Mommmmy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Such a cute story!
I love this book! I have bought it for kids and teachers alike! It's so creative and a fun story to read - with a surprise at the end :)
Published 5 months ago by Jessie D.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read it every year
I teach fifth grade and I still read this book every year to my class on the first day of school!
Published 5 months ago by Kiki
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book and price.
This book was fantastic for my Daughter. We read this book before she started "big" school and it helped with the feelings and worries of starting a new school. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Shellylr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
I use this book the first week of school. Kids can make connections to a time when they had jitters.
Published 6 months ago by MichelleM
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great way to start the school year!
I am a second grade teacher and enjoyed sharing this book with my kiddos! We talked about what the word "jitters" meant, read the book, and talked about our first day feelings! Read more
Published 7 months ago by whitwal
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book!
This is a great book for the first day of school, whether you are a teacher or a parent it is a must have! Read more
Published 8 months ago by Katie
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