Customer Reviews

First Grade Stinks!

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a former elementary teacher, this delightful book is one that warms my heart. First grader Haley desperately wants to go back to Ms. Lacy's kindergarten class where things are fun, that is, until she discovers the best thing about being in first grade. Author Mary Ann Rodman's sense of humor is evident from the first page to the last and my heart glows like Haley's orange sky whenever I thumb through this wonderful book. The illustrations by Beth Spiegel are perfect in every way, too! Perfect combination. Definitely a keeper!

....and I've yet to find a children's book that is so perfect...and absolutely gorgeous! Ms. Spiegel's illustrations add wit and charm to a lovely read-aloud experience that completely enchanted my students (now BIG second graders!) who remember the monumental transition from kindergarten to first grade very well. I look forward to more collaborations between this gifted author and her brilliant illustrator!

First Grade Stinks! is a wonderfully realistic look at the awkward transition from being a somewhat coddled kindergartener to being a first grader who must learn more and play less. Rodman's fresh, believable characterizations of Haley and her new teacher, Ms. Gray (!), are a true delight. Beautiful illustrations by Beth Spiegel add to a great reading experience.

My daughter is going in to 1st grade and I ordered two books for her to prepare and hopefully get excited about the coming year. This book has it's cute moments and my daughter likes it but I found the little girl to be a little bit mean and use phrases we don't allow at our house, like, "I wanted my brother to dry up and fly away". I'm definitely not going to buy this for her friends!

After leaving the secure feeling of kindergarten, this book will calm the nerves and reassure students that it will be an exciting year in first grade. I read the book to my class and they continued to relate back to various parts of the book throughout the year. My favorite part is when the first grade teacher closes the read aloud book at the most exciting part, a trick used by most first grade teachers. It should be part of the beginning of the year ritual in every first grade class.

Another good book to prepare my five-year-old son as he goes into First Grade this fall. Funny and real with a look and language that he could relate to.

This book is also great for the beginning of 1st grade. It shows the differences the main character is seeing between her Kindergarten class and her 1st grade class. At first, she doesn't like being in 1st, but she eventually comes around by the end of the story. Great book for doing a Venn diagram or compare/contrast chart with the kids.

My first graders loved this story. Before I read it, they were saying how much they liked 1st grade better than kinder and this just wrapped it all up in a story. After reading it, we talked about what they hoped first grade would be like and what they hoped to learn this year.

My daughter's teacher gave her this book to read. So, we read it as part of her daily reading assignment. The book begins like many kids school year. In other words, mothers holding their hands, not ready to let go. Moreover, the main character realizes that first grade means work. I know what the books portrays may be true in many schools, but I think she over did it. Clearly, there is some fun in first grade.

I loop with my Kindergarten students to first grade...so, this was a great comparison K to 1st. My students thought it was very funny and enjoyed doing a venn diagram comparing the 2 grades.