Birdie's First Day of School

May 11, 2015
Rim’s stylish heroine returns in a fourth picture book, and her concerns go beyond playing dress-up or picking the perfect coif: “she wondered deep down if she was really ready for school.” Birdie’s fears prove short-lived, and she immediately recognizes how much school has to offer, from story time to recess and learning about letters, numbers, and countries, including the fact that “Italy looks just like one of Mommy’s boots.” (Rim even gives the nation a Louboutin-worthy streak of red on its “sole.”) Watching Birdie shift from nervousness to excitement about school should be encouraging for readers in the same shoes. Ages 3–6. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties.

February 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-In this fourth story about Birdie, the beautiful and sweet fashionista is apprehensive about her first day of school. She is filled with questions: What should she take? What will she wear? Is her teacher really a werewolf? The child's lithe and fashionable mother comforts her daughter's fears as they near the school, and Birdie soon discovers to her delight that her classroom is "beautiful" and well-organized, that the food is "delicious," and that she enjoys learning and playing with her friends. When she returns home, Birdie can't wait to share all the details of her special day with her mother and her little white dog, Monster: "She felt glad Mr. Bobbins was her teacher. She felt smart from all the things she learned. She felt proud of what she had done during the day." Rim's charming illustrations are done in watercolor and collage. As usual, the details of the characters' clothing perfectly capture their personalities. There is a sweetness and gentleness to this story that children will appreciate, particularly the portrayal of school as a nurturing and enlightening place. VERDICT This a story to be shared with any child who worries about this sometimes-daunting new experience.-Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2015
Birdie is back, and this time she is nervous about her first day of school. So nervous, in fact, that she can't sleep, which is illustrated to hysterical effect in three overhead views of a tossing-and-turning Birdie in bed with her peacefully slumbering dog, Monster. She shares her worries with Monster in the morning-what it will be like, what should she bring, what should she wear-but he's no help. But Mommy's locket helps her remember that she and Monster are always there for her. And Birdie's first day is great-filled with all the school standards: cubbies, desks, a nice, bearded teacher, stories, songs, a yummy lunch, recess, and art. And at the end of the day, not only does Birdie proudly share everything about her day, but she has trouble sleeping again, this time due to excitement about her second day. Rim's nicely textured watercolor, colored pencil, and collage illustrations portray Birdie and her multiracial classmates' transformations from nervous to happy as the day progresses, white backgrounds keeping the focus on the kids. Birdie is a delightful guide for those new to school, and parents may want to take a page from her mom's book and have a locket handy. (Picture book. 4-6)

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