First Day Jitters (Paperback)

by Julie Danneberg (Author), Judith Dufour Love (Illustrator) "Sarah, dear, time to get out of bed," Mr. Hartwell said, poking his head through th bedroom doorway..." (more)

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.

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 Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158089061X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580890618
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #865 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I read it on the first day of school..., September 9, 2002

By	Kimberly Smith "redhedpixie" (Northridge, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book to get the "jitters" out of your child!, June 22, 2000

By	Jennifer A. Hemphill "Just shoppin' for the boys" (So. California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: First Day Jitters (Hardcover)

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!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprise ending will surprise and enlighten kids, July 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: First Day Jitters (Hardcover)

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.