School's First Day of School

Starred review from May 9, 2016
Every so often, a book comes along with a premise so perfect, it’s hard to believe it hasn’t been done before; this is one of those books. As a new school year begins, it isn’t just the students who have trepidations: the building doesn’t quite know what to expect either, and overheard comments such as “I don’t like school” aren’t helping. “Maybe it doesn’t like you either,” thinks the school in response. But even amid lunchtime spills and an embarrassing fire drill “accident,” the school comes to understand that facilitating the noisy, messy activities of the school day are quite literally what he was made to do. Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street) gives the school just a hint of visual personification in his flattened, paint-and-collage artwork, as Rex (Moonday) deftly juggles well-placed jokes and keen insights into feeling comfortable in one’s own skin—or bricks, as the case may be. Ages 4–8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

Starred review from June 1, 2016
Rex offers a different perspective on the first day of school: that of the newly constructed school building itself.Robinson's illustrations of Frederick Douglass Elementary are anthropomorphized only from the front and side views (two doors with a window "eye" in each, the two handles making a nose, and mouthlike stairs). Throughout the book, though, the text relays the conversations the school has with Janitor as well as its often funny thoughts and feelings. The brand-new school isn't so sure that he will enjoy having children inside its walls learning and playing. Once they are there, the school is shocked by a few of the older kids who remark "This place stinks," and "I hate school." And when one little freckled girl has to be carried in by her mother, he thinks, "I must be awful." He's embarrassed by his fire alarm and doesn't like having milk snorted on him. But he enjoys learning about shapes with the kindergarten kids, and he likes the change he sees coming over the freckled girl. In fact, he has so much fun on the first day that he asks Janitor to invite all the kids back again tomorrow. "I'll see what I can do," says the laconic black man. Using his signature, simple style, Robinson alternates scenes of the building and its interiors with shots that show the boisterously diverse kids' first day.A unique point of view makes this school book stand out. (Picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from August 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Step aside, other first day of school books: there's a new school in town. After construction and a summer of tender loving care from the janitor, Frederick Douglass Elementary's first day finally arrives. And what a day it is: hordes of children with all their feelings, mess, noise, new concepts, and even a fire alarm (which the school finds deeply embarrassing). Worried but curious, impetuous, and vulnerable, the school works as a perfect proxy for nervous child readers. Rex's warm and goofy text is brought to life by Robinson's vivid collage illustrations. His signature round-headed, tulip-handed figures are diverse and appealing, from the supportive janitor to the "little girl with freckles" who slowly warms up to school at the same time that the school is warming up to the children. VERDICT A+: an essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud.-Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 1, 2016
Preschool-G *Starred Review* First-day jitters are a frequent picture-book topic, but this one has a surprising twist: the nervous one is the school building. Frederick Douglass Elementary is a brand-new school, and so far, he only knows the janitor. The first day is coming, however, and School is worried that the kids won't like him. First, he overhears some older kids say they hate school; then a freckled girl doesn't even want to come inside. I must be awful, School thinks to himself. But soon, the day picks up. He hears a funny joke at lunchtime, he learns about shapes, and the freckled girl paints a lovely picture of him that the teacher pins to the wall (it hurts a little, but School doesn't mind). Robinson's blocky, naive-style paintings set just the right tone, and the subtle faces on all the buildings hint that School's not the only building with feelings. Meanwhile, Rex doesn't play the gag only for laughs; rather, he seamlessly weaves School's dialogue into the tale, as if he's just another student in the classroom. With bold illustrations featuring a diverse array of children and text that's ideal for reading aloud, this charming reversal of first-day-of-school nerves will delight little ones and help put their own anxieties at bay.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)