The 1st to the 100th Day of School

Compiled By Lisa G. Kropp -- School Library Journal, 7/1/2004

"To the uneducated, an A is just 3 sticks." A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner (Dutton, 1928)

In 1975, a little girl with two high pigtails and a brand-new lunchbox bounced up the stairs of the school bus for the first time ever, waving good-bye with extreme delight as her worried mother tried not to cry on this, her daughter's first day of kindergarten. In 1979, that same girl, now a bit less enthusiastic and somewhat more self-conscious, was the one trying not to cry as she put on a pair of Coke-bottle eyeglasses that seemed to swallow half her face. Hiding behind a tree, she stood waiting for the bus that would take her to a new school, one filled with unfamiliar faces and hallways to navigate on this worrisome, first day of fourth grade.

There are few things in life that bring about such feelings of excitement, dread, fear, and anticipation as the first day of school. No matter what their age, students invariably wake up with butterflies flitting about in their stomachs. They spend the bus ride worrying about making, or not making, friends, about having a new teacher, a mean teacher, a boring teacher. Concerned about getting lost, making mistakes, missing their parents, they also fret over skills, from buttoning jackets and tying shoes to being able to read and memorize multiplication formulas.

The following books were chosen in the hope that sharing them with primary-grade students during the first days of school, as well as through the 100th and beyond, will replace feelings of worry and anxiety with feelings of anticipation, enthusiasm, and self-confidence, much in the way this writer replaced her Coke-bottle glasses with a set of sparkling contacts on her first day of high school, many years ago.
– Lisa G. Kropp

CUYLER, Margery. 100th Day Worries. illus. by Arthur Howard. S & S. 2000.
K-Gr 2 –The 100th day of school is fast approaching, and Jessica is worried. As the other students bring in 100 peanuts, paperclips, and peppermints, the first grader becomes more and more concerned about what to take to school. Finally, the big day arrives, and her family reassures her by combining 10 of this with 10 of that to create a collection of "100 bits of love" that Jessica proudly exhibits. The pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the child's angst and eventual relief. Video and audio versions available from Spoken Arts.

DANNEBERG, Julie. First Day Jitters. illus. by Judy Love. Charlesbridge/Whispering Coyote. 2000.
K-Gr 3 –Sarah Jane Hartwell is so nervous about her first day of school that she doesn't want to get out of bed or eat breakfast. She is so worried that she tries to hide in the car until the principal sees her and takes her inside to meet her class. Students will be delighted with the surprise ending when Sarah's true identity is revealed, proving that just about everyone has first-day jitters when it comes to starting school. Ink-and-watercolor drawings effectively portray Sarah's nervous energy.

DUFFEY, Betsy. How to Be Cool in the Third Grade. illus. by Janet Wilson. Viking. 1993.
Gr 2-4 –It's the first day of third grade, and Robbie Harris is ready. He has new clothes, a new backpack, new school supplies, and a new teacher. Robbie is determined to find out "what is cool in the third grade?" The road that he takes to find his answer will entertain young readers, teaching them a few lessons along the way about being cool, being a bully, and being true to oneself. An amusing read-aloud to start the school year.

EDWARDS, Becky. My First Day at Nursery School. illus. by Anthony Flintoft. Bloomsbury. 2002.
PreS-K –A little girl worries about going to school, but art, music, and new friends distract her, so that each time she thinks about her mother, she winds up doing something new. By the end of the day, predictably, she wants to remain at school instead of going home. Muted watercolor-and-ink drawings in pastel shades help move the story along.

EVANS, Douglas. Math Rashes: And Other Classroom Tales. illus. by Larry Di Fiori. Front St. 2000.
Gr 2-5 –This compilation of humorous short stories follows the trials and tribulations of a third-grade class at W.T. Melon Elementary School. The catch in all of the selections is that nothing is as it seems, from the playground equipment that picks on the school bully to the doodles that come to life on a boy's math sheet. There's even a chatterbox who learns a valuable lesson from a calculator that counts her words. Sure to entertain students at the start of a new school year.

HARRIS, Robie H. I Am Not Going to School Today! illus. by Jan Ormerod. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2003.
K-Gr 2 –A little boy determines that since "you don't know anything" on the first day of school, he'll begin on the second day. His parents convince him to go by allowing him to take Hank, his stuffed monkey. That night, he decides that Hank had a good time, and that they'll both go again tomorrow. Charming watercolor washes showcase a multicultural class in all their first-day excitement.

HENKES, Kevin. Wemberly Worried. illus. by author. Greenwillow. 2000.
PreS-Gr 2 –Wemberly stews about everything, from cracks in the living room wall to playground equipment and spilled juice. When the first day of school arrives, she takes worrying to a new level. Extra-large fonts and Henkes's trademark watercolor and black pen illustrations showcase the mouse's concerns: "What if the teacher is mean?… What if they make fun of my name?… What if I have to cry?" In this touching story, Henkes allows first-time students to acknowledge their fears and worries. Audio version available from Live Oak Media.

HILL, Kirkpatrick. The Year of Miss Agnes. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2000.
Gr 3-5 –The year is 1948, and the latest in a long string of teachers arrives at the one-room schoolhouse in a small Athabascan village in Alaska. Narrated by 10-year-old Frederika, the story follows the students' emotional and educational growth in the caring hands of Miss Agnes and Fred's fear that this teacher will leave the isolated town like all of those before her. A detailed glimpse of school life in a unique time and place.

LOVELL, Patty. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon. illus. by David Catrow. Putnam. 2001.
K-Gr 3 –What do you do when you are the shortest girl in first grade and have buck teeth, a voice like a bullfrog, fumble fingers, and must move to a new town? Exuberant Molly Lou follows the advice given by her beloved grandma: be true to yourself no matter what. By the fifth day of school, even the class bully accepts the newcomer for who she is. A refreshing character to introduce as students start a new school year.

MCDONALD, Megan. Judy Moody. illus. by Peter Reynolds. Candlewick. 2000.
Gr 2-4 –At the beginning of third grade, Judy is assigned a seat next to her arch nemesis from second grade, and she doesn't have any interesting vacation stories to share. However, the new year and a new teacher who assigns an innovative assignment involving a "Me" collage lead to plenty of mood changes and laugh-out-loud situations in this amusing read. Reynolds's tea-stained, pen-and-ink drawings capture Judy perfectly. Audio version available from Recorded Books.

MCGHEE, Alison. Countdown to Kindergarten. illus. by Harry Bliss. Harcourt/Silver Whistle. 2002.
PreS-Gr 1 –It's 10 days before the start of kindergarten and the narrator is frantic. She has heard a rumor that, "You have to know how to tie your shoes. By yourself. You're not allowed to ask for help. Ever." So begins a series of stressful days as the child worries about the one thing she cannot do–tie shoes. Amusing, cartoon illustrations will have students giggling throughout this countdown that reassures nervous newcomers.

O'NEILL, Alexis. The Recess Queen. illus. by Laura Huliska-Beith. Scholastic. 2002.
K-Gr 3 –Mean Jean rules the playground, pushing and stomping her way through her classmates and instilling fear in everyone. When a new girl joins the group, Jean meets her match. Unable to scare, taunt, or otherwise bully Katie Sue, she is transformed by the girl's friendly spirit. The smart, sassy, and energetic art, rendered in collage and acrylics, showcases Mean Jean as an effervescent, over-the-top cartoon character whom readers will enjoy meeting.

PAK, Soyung. Sumi's First Day of School Ever. illus. by Joung Un Kim. Viking. 2003.
K -Gr 3 –Starting school in America, a Korean girl is concerned because she cannot speak English. After the teacher gives her paper to draw on, and later hangs it up for the other children to see, Sumi decides, "Maybe school is not so scary." Pak's text is spare yet rich enough in tone and language to get across Sumi's alienation, fear, and loneliness. Softly hued, quiet illustrations accompany the text.

PARK, Barbara. Junie B., First Grader (At Last!). illus. by Denise Brunkus. Random/A Stepping Stone Bk. 2001.
Gr 1-3 –Having made it through kindergarten, Junie B. is ready to tackle first grade in this laugh-out-loud look at life through a precocious child's eyes. Charming black-and-white pencil illustrations portray Junie in all her exuberance. Audio version available from Learning Library.

PENNYPACKER, Sara. Stuart Goes to School. illus. by Martin Matje. Scholastic/Orchard. 2003.
Gr 1-4 –Having just moved to a new town, Stuart is understandably nervous about beginning third grade. Then he sees the back-to-school outfit that his mother has chosen for him–a hand me down from his father–and he worries like never before. Armed with his magic cape (introduced in Stuart's Cape [Orchard, 2002]), he faces his fears, and his classmates. Stuart and his adventures are brought to life with zany, comical illustrations.

POLACCO, Patricia. Thank You, Mr. Falker. illus. by author. Philomel. 1998.
Gr 2-5 –Young Trisha hides the fact that she cannot read by memorizing texts and avoiding being chosen in class. It isn't until she reaches fifth grade that her new teacher notices her struggle and takes matters into his own hands, helping the child overcome her disability. Warmly illustrated in Polacco's signature style.

RATHMANN, Peggy. Ruby the Copycat. illus. by author. Scholastic. 1991.
K-Gr 2 –When Ruby, a new student, joins the class, she decides to copy everything that Angela does, right down to the red bow in her hair. When Angela becomes annoyed, their teacher gives Ruby a gentle pep talk, urging her to "be Ruby first." Rathmann's detailed pen-and-ink illustrations perfectly capture both girls' expressive personalities.

RECORVITS, Helen. My Name Is Yoon. illus. by Gabi Swiatkowska. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2003.
Gr 1-3 –Yoon, whose name means Shining Wisdom in Korean, misses her old home, but her parents press her to embrace her new life, including learning to write her name in English. On her first day, Yoon listens to the teacher talking about "CAT," and decides to become "CAT" instead of Yoon. On subsequent days, she becomes "BIRD" and "CUPCAKE." An understanding and patient teacher, along with a girl who befriends Yoon, leads her to the realization that "Maybe America will be a good home…. Maybe different is good too." Sophisticated illustrations highlight the child's changing emotions.

REYNOLDS, Peter H. The Dot. illus. by author. Candlewick. 2003.
Gr 1-4 –Convinced she cannot draw, Vashti pokes a dot onto her blank paper and defiantly hands it to her teacher, who does the unthinkable–she asks Vashti to sign her artwork, and then frames it above her desk. Filled with confidence, the youngster begins to draw and paint a series of dots that are eventually showcased in all their vivid color at the school art show. Simple yet highly effective pen-and-ink drawings get the point–or, in this case, the dot–across, reminding students and teachers to think outside of the box. Video and audio versions available from Weston Woods.

ROCKWELL, Anne. 100 School Days. illus. by Lizzy Rockwell. HarperCollins. 2002.
K-Gr 1 –On the first day of school, Jessica's teacher gives her a penny to drop in the jar on her desk. Each day, a different student adds to it. Jessica completes the activity by bringing in the 100th penny, and a special bag of treats. Rockwell's realistically rendered illustrations, drenched in color, create a warm and inviting classroom. The story will be well received by primary teachers looking to introduce children to the concept of counting to 100.

SEULING, Barbara. Robert and the Back-to-School Special. illus. by Paul Brewer. Cricket. 2002.
Gr 2-4 –On the first day of school, third-grader Robert is convinced that everyone is laughing at him because his hair is too long. Having his best friend and his brother give him a haircut has hilarious results. The book culminates with Robert and his father joining forces to host the scariest Halloween party ever. Amusing black-and-white pencil drawings add to the fun.

SHANNON, David. A Bad Case of Stripes. illus. by author. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 1998.
Gr 1-5 –Worried that no one will like her if she doesn't wear the right clothes or admits her fondness for lima beans, Camilla breaks into Technicolor stripes on the first day of school, unable to deal with the stress of trying to please everyone. Her mysterious ailment worsens to the point that Camilla is no longer recognizable, and her plight is captured in delightfully over-the-top, rainbow-hued paintings. A gem of a book to share whenever students need a reminder that it's OK to be themselves.

SLATE, Joseph. Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten. illus. by Ashley Wolff. Dutton. 1998.
K-Gr 2 –Miss Bindergarten is back, along with her brightly illustrated multi-species A to Z class of students, ready to celebrate the 100th day of school by asking the students to bring in "100 of some wonderful, one-hundred-full thing!" A rollicking rhyming text, with plenty of repetition and charm, makes this a fine title for sharing on that special day.

SMOTHERS, Ethel Footman. The Hard-Times Jar. illus. by John Holyfield. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2003.
Gr 1-5 –Book-loving Emma and her family follow the crops to find jobs as migrant workers while her mother saves the extra pennies and dimes they earn in a jar. The child knows that the money is for hard times, yet she longs to buy a book of her own. When her parents send her to school instead of work, she experiences the joys of the school library for the first time, and a special surprise from Mama. Acrylic paintings in warm earth tones help set the mood.

STUVE-BODEEN, Stephanie. Elizabeti's School. illus. by Christy Hale. Lee & Low. 2002.
Gr 1-3 –A young girl in Tanzania is sure that school is not for her. It isn't until she finds her missing cat under the bed with a new litter of kittens that Elizabeti realizes how much she learned there. With Mama by her side, she counts the number of kittens and decides that she will give school one more try. Hale's mixed-media illustrations enhance the story's warmth and emotion.

WELLS, Rosemary. Emily's First 100 Days of School. illus. by author. Hyperion. 2000.
K-Gr 2– Emily's family and friends help fill her number book throughout the first 100 days of school. The text alternates between the child's life at home and at school, providing a wonderful example of how families are a child's first teacher and how they can supplement the classroom teacher throughout a child's academic life. The characters are beautifully brought to life through Wells's pen-and-watercolor illustrations, showcased by a combination of full-page spreads, detailed borders, and smaller panels.

WELLS, Rosemary. My Kindergarten. illus. by author. Hyperion. 2004.
PreS-K –This hefty collection is a treasure trove of poems and activities about music, math, science, and social studies, celebrating that magical first year of school. Starting with the first and ending with the very last day of kindergarten, Wells has created a distinct book filled with brilliantly detailed watercolor illustrations that fully capture the anxieties and joys that first timers face in school. Simply a must-have.

AJMERA, Maya & John D. Ivanko. Back to School. Charlesbridge. 2001.
Gr 1-5 –Students from a wide variety of cultures are highlighted in this look at education around the globe. Simple statements in a large font run across the top of each spread. "When you are at school, you learn to read and write." The accompanying photos show students in Bangladesh, Niger, Saudi Arabia, and Rwanda. The photographs are the glue of the book, offering students glimpses into other worlds where children just like themselves are learning in a range of formats and locations.

BUNNETT, Rochelle. Friends at School. Star Bright. 1995.
K-Gr 3 –This photo-essay follows a day in a primary classroom made up of children with different abilities. The matter-of-fact text doesn't offer explanations as to why some of the children look different. The book's strength is the photos, which show how students of all abilities do similar things. A solid title to introduce at the beginning of the year as an example of acceptance and diversity.

FRANCO, Betsy. Counting Our Way to the 100th Day! illus. by Steven Salerno. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2004.
K-Gr 4 –Franco has come up with 100 clever poems celebrating all things 100 in this math-based poetry book. Covering the gamut from items that come in 100 to families and collections of 100, the rhymes and the accompanying illustrations are zippy, clever, short, and sweet. Ideal for sharing one a day throughout the year.

HOPKINS, Lee Bennett. School Supplies: A Book of Poems. illus. by Renée Flower. S & S. 1996.
K-Gr 4 –A charming back-to-school icebreaker, featuring the work of Jane Yolen, Carl Sandburg, Myra Cohn Livingston, and others. The poems are simple and the illustrations are colorful and goofy; they work together to keep the tone light and airy.

JACKSON, Ellen. It's Back to School We Go! First Day Stories from around the World. illus. by Jan Davey Ellis. Millbrook. 2003.
K-Gr 5 –Eleven students, actually composites created from a variety of real individuals, offer basic information about schooling in their countries while additional information, such as the types of food they eat and the kinds of games they play, is also included. The curiosity that children have about how others live, along with the inviting illustrations, makes this a good title to share with classes on that first nerve-wracking day.

KENNEDY, Dorothy M., sel. I Thought I'd Take My Rat to School: Poems for September to June. illus. by Abby Carter. Little, Brown. 1993.
K-Gr 5 –These poems range from the humorous to the more serious, and poets include the not-so-famous as well as better-known writers, among them Jack Prelutsky and X. J. Kennedy. Simple black-and-white drawings provide extra detail.