Dad's First Day

May 11, 2015
In a story of emotional transference, a boy named Oliver is completely ready for school to begin but his kind, nebbishy father—with whom Oliver spent the summer playing, reading, and singing—grows nervous when the big day arrives. Wohnoutka’s gouache paintings poke gentle fun at Daddy, and they’ll elicit giggles as Oliver’s father hides from his son as they prepare to leave the house, drives “very slowly” to school, and throws a tantrum that requires the teacher to carry the man out of the building. It’s a straightforward and familiar story (with a reassuring conclusion), and it should leave new students with an extra jolt of confidence. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from June 1, 2015
With tongue firmly in cheek, Wohnoutka recognizes that kids going to school for the first time aren't the only ones who are nervous. Oliver and his dad have spent a wonderful summer bonding and doing all sorts of fabulous things-readers will get the distinct impression that this is a stay-at-home dad. But now it's time for school to start. Oliver's ready. His dad? Not so much. "Oliver's dad didn't feel so good." Oliver reassures him, "you're just a little nervous," and then tries to get him moving. But, like a toddler when his parent is late, there are just a few things Oliver's dad has to do before leaving, including putting a puzzle together and hiding in three different places. When Oliver finally gets his dad to school, the teacher has to pry him off Oliver. Wohnoutka's gouache illustrations, and the way they play up the deadpan text for humor, are the real stars here. "The teacher walked Oliver's dad outside," carrying him kicking and screaming, Oliver calmly saying goodbye, a smile on his face. After he disconsolately does some chores for a bit, a quick peek through the classroom window puts Oliver's dad at ease; he's finally ready for school. Though Oliver and his dad are both Caucasian, the teacher is brown-skinned, possibly Latina. By the end of the book, readers will be all set for school too: this is sure to provoke shared laughter that will calm the fears of even the most unready parents. (Picture book. 3-7)

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August 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-Oliver and his dad had a fun summer-playing, singing, and reading together. When it comes time for school, Oliver is ready, but his dad grows nervous as the big day nears. As Oliver's dad complains his stomach hurts, hides from his son as they prepare to leave, and drives slowly to school, Oliver is the one reassuring his dad. This familiar story will hit home with kids and parents alike who have experienced first day of school jitters. As Oliver's dad proclaims, "I'm not ready for school!" The colorful gouache illustrations will elicit giggles from young readers as they imagine their parents behaving like Oliver's dad. VERDICT A charming addition to the popular first day of school section.-Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2015
Preschool-G Wohnoutka, the illustrator of Moo! (2013), an ALA Notable Book, turns in another delightfully screwy performance here. First-day-of-school jitters is the subject, and role reversal is the comedy-filled antidote. Oliver and his dad have had a great summer together. Now it's time to get ready for school. Everything seems to be going swimmingly until the morning of, when his dad's tummy starts hurting. Dad doesn't want to go to school. He stalls; he hides. Oliver has to drag his dad to the car. Once at school, Dad is the one who clings. It's not until later, when Dad returns, peeks into the classroom, and sees all the fun Oliver is havingplaying, drawing, singing, and readingthat Dad realizes they are both ready for school. Wohnoutka peps the story up by mixing cartoon panels with single- and double-page spreads, all in comforting earth tones. This clever reversal of confident child with nervous parent is reassuring and hilarious. Readers may want to check out Julie Danneberg's First Day Jitters (2000) and Jonathan London's Froggy Goes to School (1996).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)