Little Cliff's First Day of School [Mass Market Paperback]

Clifton L. Taulbert (Illustrator), E. B. Lewis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2003 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Little Cliff's great-grandmother, Mama Pearl, and his great-grandfather, Poppa Joe, are so excited for him to start first grade.  But Little Cliff doesn't want to go to school, especially if it means leaving behind his toys, his home, and his family.  When the first day of school comes, Mama Pearl walks Little Cliff to the schoolhouse.  As they draw nearer, Little Cliff hears laughter and looks up to see that all of his friends are there.  Hmm, maybe school will be fun. . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The charmer first met in Little Cliff and the Porch People, set in the 1950s South, returns to face a new school year in Little Cliff's First Day of School by Clifton L. Taulbert, illus. by E.B. Lewis. Though Lewis's watercolors capture an era a half-century ago, the feelings of anxiety Taulbert conveys are still the same for today's readers. The mood in the paintings and the hero's loving family provide all the reassurance the boy and readers need.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-In this second story about Little Cliff, an African-American boy growing up in the rural South in the 1950s, it is time for his first day of school. His happy and proud great-grandparents have laid out his special clothes, but Cliff does "not want to start first grade-not one bit." He is so frightened when it's time to leave that he tries hiding under the house-a favorite refuge from the heat of summer. However, determined Mama Pearl coaxes him out and walks him to school herself. As they near the schoolyard, Cliff sees his friends enjoying a ball game and realizes that school isn't just being "quiet, quiet, quiet" and "work, work, work." He can have fun as well. The lengthy text is appropriately flavored by dialect that is readily accessible to young readers: Mama Pearl chides, "Cliff, don't step on my nerves. Now you git them shoes on right now." Lewis's large watercolor paintings of the boy with downcast eyes, bowed head, and slumped shoulders speak volumes about his apprehensions. The country schoolhouse looks run-down and uninviting until it is surrounded by energetic youngsters. Children will recognize in Cliff's reactions their own first-day jitters and will be comforted by the last scene in which a laughing-crying Mama Pearl hugs him and says, "I am just so happy we made it to school on our first day."-Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (July 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142500828
• ISBN-13: 978-0142500828
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,055,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > First Day of School

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars School Is A New Adventure, August 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Cliff's First Day of School (Hardcover)

As I read Little Cliff's First Day of School I recalled my brother's first day in kindergarten when he hugged the tree outside the classroom for dear life and my mother had tears in her eyes. His kindly teacher took him by the hand and asked my mother to leave. This was the beginning of Jim's educational journey. Cliff like most children is fearful of change and what are new adventures. His supportive family consisting of older "grandparents" provided the meger items he needs for school. Finally after stalling around Cliff enters the school grounds. He is welcomed by his friends and rethinks his fears..school is work...work...work to school is a fun place after all. The setting of the South in the 50's is easily translated to present day children. Many children come from families like Cliff's and they also experience poverty. I plan to share this book as our Book of the Month for a school with 770 students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Realistic dialogue and watercolors, November 1, 2001

By 

James W. Tinder (Stockton, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Little Cliff's First Day of School (Hardcover)

Little Cliff does not want to go to school; he enjoys being with his great-grandparents and living with them along the Mississippi delta. He also feels he will miss his playtime activities, including climbing trees. Upset, Cliff tries to hide, but his great-grandmother discovers him and takes him to school. When Cliff sees other children his age playing baseball at school, he realizes he can have fun and learn at the same time.

Realistic dialogue and watercolors combine to form a picture of Cliff and his surroundings. Taulbert's text will require parents to read along with their children, as it is lengthy. Children, however, will identify immediately with Lewis' paintings. His use of shading and true-to-life proportions gives the illustrations a sense of purpose that children will recognize right away. While the story is good, it is ultimately Lewis' expressive and lifelike artwork that makes this book a recommendation for any library collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Day Blues, June 27, 2003

By 

TheRAWKidzReview - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Cliff's First Day of School (Hardcover)

Little Cliff is reluctant to go to school. He thinks that because he is starting school, he will have too many responsibilities and not be able to enjoy his childhood any longer. As the day draws near, he begins to make excuses as to why he cannot go to school. His great-grandmother decides to walk him to school and upon arrival, he sees all of his friends playing. Little Cliff finally sees that school is not bad and can actually be a place not only to have fun but also to learn.

The beautiful illustrations add a rural "down home" feel to the book. I highly recommend this book for any child about to start school or any child having "first day jitters". The book does an excellent job of not trivializing the fears and apprehensions young children have about beginning school and does a wonderful job showing that school can be a fun place.