Customer Reviews

Off to First Grade

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If a youngster is feeling trepidation about taking the big step from kindergarten into first grade, here is a cheerfully imagined chronicle of the thoughts and words of 23 students who will be in Mrs. Miller's class at Elm school.

Youngsters are mentioned alphabetically, so we begin with Anna who tells her little brother, Ray that she will bring home a lot of books to read to him. Dee waits for the big yellow bus and hugs his mom good-bye.

Ignacio is not only going to a new school but he's also in a new country. Although he met his teacher and the principal last week he still holds tight to his papa's hand as he practices his English.

Ramon's fifth grade sister puts a blue dot on his right hand so he will remember to turn right not left at the end of Elm school's long hall.

Positive traits are emphasized in the brief experience of each new first grader - from helpfulness, to reassurance to friendship.

- Gail Cooke

What a nicely done read-a-long book. I have to classify this one as a read-a-long as it is probably at too high a reading level for beginning first graders, and that is for whom the book has been written. This is good though, as it will give the parent or the teacher plenty of opportunity to discuss those important first days at school, and it will most certainly introduce the children to some new, not too complicated words.

Off to First Grade by Louise Borden and illustrated by Joan Rankin, is a well done, attractive piece of work. The book follows a new class of first grade students on their first day of school, starting at home. The characters are critters of various sorts, rabbits, dogs, cats, lions and other creatures, appropriately dressed for school. The author features each child, in alphabetical order, starting at home, then to the school buss, or via car, or walking, or by car, and then school. They meet their teacher get to know their teacher and become familiar with the school.

The book is large and the print used is quite readable...no squinting here. The text fits perfectly with the wonderful illustrations by Rankin. Each picture is done in gentle, non-threatening colors which show plenty of action and are well executed. I like both the writer's style and that of the artist. Animals are always a sure hook for children. You can get hour upon hour of conversation from them just by standing in front of a first grade class and saying "cat" or "dog" or "pet bird." You will be absolutely smothered with pet stories. I substitute teach, being retired, and a book like this is a wonderful thing for me. The animals featured here are cute and loveable. I love their various expressions and the artist has used eyes to express them very effectively.

But the final and most important test, the one that the book will fall or stand on, is the reaction of the children to whom it is read! I was lucky here. My daughter is a first grade teacher of nineteen years and she is presently holding her second session of summer school with her first grade class. I loaned her the book and asked her to read it to her class and report the response. I am happy to say that is was a tremendous hit with the kids and she even had requests for second and third readings. A children's book just does not get a better endorsement than this. My daughter found that each page, with very little prompting on her part, brought dozens of questions and then first grade discussions at to their first day expierences. This is a good thing.

Recommend this one for your home library and certainly recommend it for any first grade class room. As an added note...this would be an ideal gift or donation to your school or your child's first grade teacher.

D. Blankenship

Louise Borden has written a fun superb book for children of all ages. The story is written from the children's, teacher, school bus driver and Principal's viewpoint. Each person gives their story in clear and concise language. Joan Rankin illustrates this book. What vivid and colorful characters inhabit this book. So what if they are animals, they talk like first graders and teachers. The entire package welcomes each reader.

All parents and teachers are well aware of the first day of school and the anxiety it produces. The students themselves help prepare the way with words directly from their mouth. Mrs. Miller, the teacher, has each student's name written out and it appears she has memorized their names, so she will know them all. The school bus driver, Xavier, welcomes each first grader and lets them know he has x-ray vision and can see any monkey business on the bus. He likes the first day. Mr. Zimmerman is the principal and he says everyone will receive an A+ today. He wonders what book will he read to the first grade class today. What do you think he will read?

One of my favorite first graders is Ignacio. He is an immigrant and just came to the United States. He understands that Mrs Miller will help him learn English and he has memorized her name. Another favorite is Otto, his grandmother bought him new red sneakers and he thinks she is wonderful. Nina gets a special treat, her grandfather is visiting and he walks her to school. He went to first grade sixty years ago and this is an anniversary of sorts for him. What a special day for all of these children.

'Off To First Grade' is a special book for children and their parents who are experiencing this wonderful event. The cameras and video machines will be in great supply to record this event. Start your child with this story and it will help to ease any anxiety that may be lurking, for child and parent.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 07-28-08

The Last Day of School

First Day

What a find! I loved this book about the scary start of school - great illustrations too! Read this with your child several times before the Big Day!

I must admit that I was a bit skeptical when I received the book. After all, who would be interested in reading (or to be read) about a bunch of first graders??? Well... My kids (a 3year old girl and a 5 year old boy)!!!

1. My 3year old daughter loves the book and she constantly asks me to read the book for her. And my 5year old son asks questions about being a 1st grader, since he will be attending the school soon as Kindergartner.

2. They both love the illustrations, it is indeed well done. The drawings are likable and richly colorful.

3. They both like to be read with animated voices when different 1st grade character is introduced in the book. It seems to hold their interest longer.

4. One definite positive about the book is that, it seems to encourage the kids to anticipate the school with positive attitude.

Additionally, the physical book itself is well made. The book is stitched (smyth sewn) and NOT glued, therefore it will last a long time. The pages are strong and durable. DJ (dust jacket) is also fine addition to protect the book further.

In all, my kids love it and the book is well made. Highly recommended!

The story follows all the kids (in animal form) that are going to be in Mrs. Millers class on the first day of school. Some are nervous about the first day, some are excited. It gives the viewpoint of each child and even what the principal (Mr. Zimmerman) and teacher (Mrs. Miller) is thinking. Even the busdriver is in here and he warns all the kids he has xray vision and can see what they are doing while he's driving. This book would be great to read to that child who is beginning first grade. It would show them they aren't the only one to worry about that first day. It also dwells on the school bus routine which is good since so many kids are also scared of getting on the wrong bus. The principal also reads them a story, so they learn not to be afraid of him right from the beginning (plenty of time for that later!) The kids will be thrilled with the artwork also. So many beautiful colors and so many things to see in each picture. Good for ages 4 to 6.

This is a LARGE book (thin, but big!) The watercolor pictures are nice subdued colors, and the entire story held the attention of my 6 year old boy, 4 year old boy, and 3 year old girl, which is quite a feat! It took about 15 minutes to read, with the normal questions as we went.

The story line is not much of a plot, it's the thoughts and opinions of 23 students, the teacher, the principal, and the busdriver involved in ths first day of first grade. Each character's name begins with a different letter of the alphabet, and so we have interesting names like Yoshi, Mr. Zimmerman, and Xavier the bus driver. I like that some students are SO excited to go to school, some are walked by their grandfather, others have baby sisters, and one is a new immigrant.

It should be quite easy for any family to relate to at least part of this book, and I was impressed with the large scale pages and high quality finish.

It's not a book we'll read again and again, but I'm sure the kids will enjoy flipping through it plenty.

Sra. Gose

Author of Flip Flop Spanish: Ages 3-5: Level 1 & Spanish Fun Activity Calendar

I really like this book. Although my daughter isn't ready for 1st grade yet, I am looking forward to reading it with her closer to the time. The illustrations are fun and the author writes from each student's perspective on the big day. Each student's name begins with a letter of the alphabet. She also includes the teacher (Mrs. Miller) and principal (Mr. Zimmerman). She writes about the calm kids, the nervous kits, the neurotic kids and the excited kids. And the families for students vary - from the mother and father taking their child to school on the first day, to just the dad/mom, or just the grandparent. And the end of the book is a question - Mr. Zimmerman asking what book should he read to the class. This opens the door for your child to think about which of his/her books would be a great story for the class.

It's a big book (about 9"x12") but narrow. It's a good size for small hands to hold onto. The brief stories of each child's morning of the first day of school are all different - as in real life. One child is walked to school by her grandfather, another is driven to school by his dad while they listen to jazz music and others are more interested in what's in each other's lunch boxes.

All children and adults are characterized by animals - monkeys, cats, dogs, bunnies, etc...and the illustrations are soft colors but very well done. No bright colors - mainly pastels. The pictures are very adorable!

I read this book to my 6 year old who will be starting first grade in a few more weeks and then asked her what she thought about it. She said she liked all the different animals and the stories of each one. She liked the stories of all of them but especially of the ones who were a little afraid of starting first grade. She wondered if her classroom will look like the one pictured in the book!

I picked out this book since my daughter was starting 1st grade this year. We read the book together, and though she started to get restless about half way through, she understood everyone will have different experiences, both in their background and on there first today. Today was her first day, which also happened to be at a new school. We'll go back to the book after she gets home to see how it went and how she can relate to characters in the story. Overall, I found it to be a nice book, though a bit long for her interests.