First Grade Jitters [Hardcover]

Robert Quackenbush (Author), Yan Nascimbene (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 2010 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Here is the story of a young boy who is about to enter first grade and doesn't know quite what to expect. Will his friends be there? Will he have to know how to read and spell? What if he can't understand anything his teacher says? Looks like a case of first grade jitters!

Robert Quackenbush and Yan Nascimbene tell a reassuring story that is sure to chase away those jitters for any soon-to-be first grader.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 1 In this newly illustrated title first published in 1982, Aidan worries about first grade. He hasn't seen his kindergarten friends all summer, and he's had plenty of time to imagine the worst about the upcoming school year. Will his friends be in his class? Will he be expected to read and do math problems? And what if I can't understand anything the teacher says? She might say, 'Oogly, boogly.' When I ask her what that means, she might answer, 'Muncha, chumba, zeglipo.' His parents notice that something is wrong, but he refuses to admit his fears. When his friend returns from her summer vacation with reassuring news of their new teacher, he jumps for joy and exclaims, My jitters are gone! The text and pictures explore this common anxiety effectively and with a touch of humor. Full-spread illustrations depict the grumpy protagonist with his perplexed and annoyed parents, and later, relaxed and jubilant. Aidan's loyal dog and teddy bear mirror his concerns throughout. When he holds up his leg in bed, insisting that he cannot walk and won't be better for the first day of school, his frowning teddy holds up his leg as well. Couple this story with Julie Danneberg's First Day Jitters (Charlesbridge, 2000) for another perspective on back-to-school angst. Barbara Auerbach, PS 217, Brooklyn, NY
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From Booklist

First published in 1982 and now newly illustrated with appealing, uncluttered, paint-and-ink images, this story captures every kid’s fear of starting school. At first the boy denies his fear, but after he crawls into bed, the worries begin: What if he can’t read or spell or do arithmetic? What if he can’t understand the teacher? His fears explode as a temper tantrum in a store when Mom wants to buy him new shoes for school, but later, while playing and talking with his friends, he feels reassured and ready. The jittery scenarios will reach many kids facing a big change. Grades K-1. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (June 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060776323
• ISBN-13: 978-0060776329
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author/Artist/Educator Robert Quackenbush has written and illustrated over 200 books for young readers including his popular Miss Mallard Mysteries, which have been made into animated films for children's worldwide television programming by Cinar (now Cookie Jar Entertainment) that are showing in 70 countries. His books have won many awards and citations including an Edgar Allen Poe Special Award for Best Juvenile Mystery, a Gradiva Award, and a gold medal from the Holland Society of New York for distinction in art and literature by a member of the society. He is a frequent visiting author at schools and libraries giving programs to instill children with a love of books and reading. These tours have taken him across the US, including Alaska, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. His art is in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Interior, the U.S. Air Force Museum, and Norton Simon Museum. For further information, visit his Web site www.rquackenbush.com, which also gives his Facebook and Blog addresses.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Books That Heal Kids, October 24, 2010

By 

Books That Heal Kids "Roxanne" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Grade Jitters (Hardcover)

One of my favorite things about this one is the word - Jitters. What a FANTASTIC way to describe difficult feelings like fear and anxiety to a six year old. Most children don't know how to communicate those types of emotions because they are not equipped with the language and coping skills. It makes me think about the importance of emotional intelligence. As an educator I am a big part of helping the inner growth of a child. Bibliotherapy like this is a great step in supporting that growth especially when students are feeling school is a fearsome place. I showed First Grade Jitters to both of our 1st grade teachers and they read it at the start of the school year. Apparently, at the end of the day one of the teachers commented to her students she was nervous about something. "Oh, well then you have the jitters," replied one of her students. This gave me an "I heart kids" moment. It will be nice as the school counselor to use the word jitters as a communication and validation tool.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Age Appropriate and Helpful, July 1, 2011

By 

P. Law (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: First Grade Jitters (Hardcover)

Cute book that my 5-year-old enjoyed as he is going into 1st-grade this year! I found out after purchasing it that it's the same book they read in kindergarten this spring!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Grade Jitters, July 16, 2001

By 

Bobbie Akers (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: First Grade Jitters (Hardcover)

This book is a must to read to first graders on their first day of school. A little rabbit is very worried about his first day in first grade.He shares his jitters with his friends. Read to find out how his first day goes.This book will spur a great discussion among the children about their own first grade jitters.