Shy Robin and the First Day of School review

 

A little hippo finds that looking out for a new friend can turn shyness into bravery in Jaime Kim’s sweetly illustrated story about the first day of school.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

At home Robin Hippo is full of energy and confidence.  Going to different places though she is extremely shy and feels like hiding.  To help with the worries about the first day of school, Robin's mom gives her a purple headband to help her feel brave.  In her new classroom, she meets Marco Otter who is also having a tough time with his shyness.  Together the two overcome their own fears in order to help each other problem solve and also learn that others can have the same things in common. 

Here is a sweet and gentle story that may help kids break out of their shell on those first few days back to school.  Whether they are a first time or returning student, everyone feels shy about a new classroom, new teacher and making friends.  The text is easy to read aloud and the illustrations are in bold colors with wonderful expression of feelings.  Together Robin and Marco find friendship helping each other through a tough day by turning their shyness into bravery.  This story would make for a good discussion about feelings and how others feel.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

Title:  Shy Robin and the First Day of School

Author: Jaime Kim

Pub. date: June 2023, Candlewick Press

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten review

Annie Grace wears her “Adventure Annie” cape to her first day of kindergarten, and proceeds to barrel through the day, searching for adventure in every moment. Her interpretation of the class’s Gold Star Rules isn’t exactly what her teacher, Mr. Todd, had in mind. (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

This is a repost from September 2011 I thought I would add for back to school season:

Adjusting to kindergarten is an adventure itself and now in progress for many children these past couple of weeks. I found this funny story the other day that may be a fun read to help lighten up the nerves while the first few days go by. 

On her first day of school, Annie is expecting quite a few fun adventures in kindergarten such as a wild animal zoo or high-flying circus one. Her mom explains to Annie that kindergarten is an adventure on its own.  Annie soon finds that there are rules and good choices to be made and eventually being a helper leads her to a special adventure after all. Children could connect with the school day scenario and giggle at Annie's attempts for making her own adventures. The illustrations are sweet and the story has a happy outcome for Annie's patience. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4 and up.~

Title: Adventure Annie goes to Kindergarten
Author: Toni Buzzeo- illustrated by Amy Wummer
Genre: picture book
Pub. Date:  May 2010, Dial Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

How to Get Your Octopus to School review

Learn how to get your octopus to school in this back-to-school story!(goodreads summary)
 

 

 

 

Trying to get your Octopus to school can be one challenging task. This is a fun and humorous story that will make kids giggle as they prepare themselves to head back to school.  The ups and downs of getting ready for the big day is relatable from both a child's and a parent's point-of-view.   The illustrations are so cute and kids will love searching for Octopus on each page as he hides from getting ready and going off to school.  The emotions are expressive as well and we can sense how nervous and reluctant Octopus feels.   It is a wonderful read to help calm the back to school jitters and a conversation starter about how your child feels about a new school year.  The end pages include interesting Octopus facts.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  How to Get Your Octopus to School

Author: Becky Scharnhorst, Illustrations by Jaclyn Sinquett

Pub. date: May 2023,  Flamingo Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

Giant-Sized Butterflies on My FIrst Day of School review

 

Find out how butterflies in your tummy are a good thing in this fresh take on being nervous for the first day of school.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a heart warming book to help with those first day of school jitters. The giant-sized butterflies kids experience may take over just like the little girl has in this book.  It offers a reassuring tone that those butterflies are normal and happen to everyone, including grown-ups.  Finding a way to understand and channel those feelings of nervousness can help guide them through many first times. I liked how her classmates all had butterflies too showing that you are not alone in how you feel. The story is sweet and simple with beautiful illustrations and colors. It could be read one-on-one with your child before their first day or in a classroom setting with many students on the first day of school.  A wonderful encouraging book to help calm flutters in the tummy.  Everyone feels the same flutters in their tummy too but it just might be a good thing ready to guide you through a new experience.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title: Giant-Sized Butterflies on My First Day of School

Author: Justin Roberts, illustrated by Paola Escobar

Pub. date: May 2023, Penguin Random House

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

The Camping Trip review

 

Ernestine has never been camping before, but she’s sure it will be lots of fun . . . won’t it? An endearing story about a girl’s first experience with the great outdoors.(goodreads summary)
 

 

 

 

 

Ernestine is excited to go on her first camp out with her Aunt and Cousin. She has a list of all the things she will need to pack for the trip.  After a long drive to Cedar Tree Campground, she finds camping is harder than she thought. Setting up her tent is not as easy as making blanket forts at home.  Swimming in the lake with fish is not like swimming in the pool at her neighborhood Y.   Falling asleep is different when you are outdoors in a tent and you really start to miss home. What did Ernestine get herself into?

August is here and there is still time for this fun book.  It is the perfect story for a first time camper or camping trip.   It starts with the excitement of a camping trip, preparing, setting up and the anxious feelings a child may have being away from home for the first time.   The story did a nice job problem solving Ernestine's worries with love and kindness.  The illustrations are cute and so fun to see the transition from beginning to end of the camping trip.  Ernestine learns that trying something new for the first time can be hard but if you give it a chance it just might turn out to be wonderful.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  The Camping Trip

Author:  Jennifer K. Mann 

Pub. date:  April 2020

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 56 pgs.