A sign above the door read, FREDIRICK DOUGLASS ELEMENTARY. “That’s a good name for me,” thought the school.
School’s First Day of Schoold by Adam Rex and Christian Robinson
It is back-to-school season and the stores are full of shiny new school supplies. It’s the time of year that many parents and children look forward too with anticipation. However, there are a fair few kiddos that get butterflies in their stomach just thinking about it. This is a wonderful book for just such kids. It is a book that explores the fanciful idea of “what if the school building were nervous about the first day of school too?”. Such a fun, and even comforting thought, for nervous young children.
It is a story that exemplifies personification perfectly through a new school with its own thoughts, feelings and personality. It is brand new building and it’s only friend and visitor had been the janitor when it heard that it would soon be flooded with children and teachers. When the school hears the news, it is full of the “first day of school jitters”. What will it be like? Will the children like it? Will it like the children? When the children do indeed arrive the school experiences some growing pains and in the end decides that it loves its new purpose and tiny occupants.
This book is absolutely delightful! The text is not only charming, but relatable to the conflicting emotions and fears new students experience. It takes a bit for the school to warm up to its new life just as it takes a bit for children to transition to school life. The school itself is sweet and likable and the illustrations are fantastic! I love all the bright colors, use of negative space, and beautiful details. It is definitely a good one for this time of year, or any time of year really.
Click here to purchase School’s First Day of School *affiliate link
Mel says
Gah, I wish I’d connected more with this book! It was so wordy, especially given Robinson’s incredible penchant for being able to illustrate other peoples’ words. The concept of the book was sound, though, and I do like your note that the text’s wordiness is similar to someone who talks nervously. Thanks for giving me a slightly different perspective!