FICTION

First Grade, Here I Come!

by Tony JOHNSTON
First Grade, Here I Come! illus. by David Walker. 32p. ebook available. Scholastic. 2015. Tr $8.99. ISBN 9780545201438.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—Bright illustrations carry this fun rhyming story, following a boy on his first day of first grade as he is determined to make five friends. After crouching and prowling like a tiger, making paper chains, show-and-tell, and even putting on a "neat-o" dragon play, he realizes that five friends would be just fine but being friends with everyone is even better. Wacky rhymes and a universal lesson make this story worth the read. At the same time, the lesson seems thrown in at the end and some of they rhymes seem forced. Those reading aloud will need to practice finding the rhyming cadence. Still, children will appreciate the joyful illustrations and will be inspired to write their own rhymes.
VERDICT An upbeat addition to back-to-school collections.
Reviewed by Betsy Davison, Cortland Free Library, NY
In a standard first-day-of-school story, a confident new first grader proclaims that he needs five friends and describes all the learning and playing he'll do with them. While the text's rhyme and meter are at times labored, Walker's joyful cartoonlike illustrations depict kids delighting in show-and-tell, snack time, and recess, among other activities also not specific to first grade.
, Aug 01, 2015

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Into the Rapids
by Braden, Ann
BOOKS

Leonard Builds a Haunted House
by Ciccotello, Mike
BOOKS

The Right Call
by Greenwald, Tommy
BOOKS

My Dad Thinks He’s a Scream
by Germein, Katrina
BOOKS

Baby Cousin’s Big Day
by Kim, Aram
BOOKS

Pumpkin and Beetle: Two Vampire Cats
by Ho, Jannie
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?