School has been in session for a month or so now around here. The first day for everyone is full of emotions and jitters. It can be hard for anyone but especially for young children just starting school or someone changing school. Today I get to share two new picture books about the first day of school. The first is Scarecited on the First Day of School by Alliah L. Agostini and illustrated by Lala Watkins. It is recommended for ages three to six.
About the Book:
For fans of School’s First Day of School, this is a picture book about a young girl who is feeling mixed emotions about her first day of school.Some feelings are so big, one word just doesn’t cut it.
It’s the first day of school for Afua! There’s no one word to name her feelings. Is she scared? Excited? Oh wait, she’s scarecited! Her own combination of both. Why should she have to choose?
Scarecited on the First Day of School is a charming picture book that reminds us all that having the courage to be our authentic self is always just enough, and you can feel more than one big emotion at the same time. But if there isn’t one word to describe those feelings . . . there’s beauty in making it yourself.
From Me:
This book describes the first day so well. I love it! Afua is off for her first day of school. She is feeling all the feels. She describes them by combining some of the words like scarecited and sadbarrassed. The day begins with the teacher mispronouncing her name, but she is happy to be making slime until she gets hungry. Then someone invites her to sit with them at lunch, so she is making a new friend. Lunch, recess and the new friend give her the courage to tell the teacher how to correctly pronounce her name. Overall, the first day goes pretty well for Afua.
I love that this book is multicultural. Afua has a very diverse class. The emotions are portrayed perfectly for the first day of school. Often the first day is a jumble of combination emotions, and the mixed words are fun and describe them perfectly. It is a fun book and perfect for the first day of school or any other exciting day. It is perfect for parents to read before school begins or for a teacher to read on the first day or perhaps the first day for a new student.
Our next book was released this week! It takes a different look at the first day of school with the characters being dinosaurs. The book is It's Not Easy Being a T. Rex by Marilyn Sadler and illustrated by Steph Laberis. It is recommended for ages three to seven. It is part of the It's Not Easy Being series.
About the Book:
Life isn’t always easy—even for a T. rex! In this sweet, funny picture book, a T. rex who is self-conscious about her big teeth and small arms learns she is perfect exactly as she is! Perfect for dinosaur lovers—with a bonus message about self-acceptance!Rexy is nervous about starting school. Her head is BIG. Her arms are small. And her teeth are the size of bananas! Rexy wants to fit in with the other dinosaurs, but after catching a kickball in her mouth (and popping the ball!) at recess, she’s MORTIFIED and ready to give up. Then a volcano erupts, sending rocks flying onto the kickball field. When another dino needs help, can Rexi’s powerful jaws save the day? You bet your tyrannosaur they can!
Featuring a comical cast of animal characters—including a wise-beyond-his-size dragonfly sidekick for readers to find hidden on every page—this picture book about self-acceptance, friendship, and helping others is perfect for young dinophiles!
Everyone has a rough day now and then and wishes they could do something or be someone else. Not even beloved characters like Santa Claus, ghosts, and leprechauns are immune! The It’s Not Easy… picture book series explores the witty ways these iconic characters search for happiness, only to find it within themselves.
Also available:
It’s Not Easy Being Santa Claus
It’s Not Easy Being a Ghost
It’s Not Easy Being a Leprechaun
From Me:
Rexy is nervous and excited about her first day of school. She hopes the other dinosaurs like her and wants to fit in. She sits in the front row but ends up being too tall and gets embarrassed when she has to move. At recess she isn't sure what to do since her arms are too short for most activities but gets excited to join a kickball game. The problem happens when she tries to catch the ball. Her short arms make it hard. She also bursts the ball when she catches it with her mouth. Feeling humiliated she runs off but is the first to see that the volcano is erupting. She runs over to warn her classmates but one of them gets stuck under the goal. It was too heavy for the other dinosaurs to move off him, but Rexy is able to get it off him with her mouth. After that her friends tell her how great she is, and she lets them know she doesn't feel that great. They are able to convince her and she finds the new perfect role for her at recess.
This book is fun and perfect for the dinosaur lovers!! It is also just great for any child starting school. I love that the dinosaurs are so different. Each has their own characteristics--size, features, etc. It gives an exaggerated picture of how all of us are different as well. I also love how the other dinosaurs support Rexy especially after she shares how she feels like she isn't fitting in, and they let her know she is and is important. The other dinosaurs help Rexy accept herself for who she truly is. Another important lesson for kids. This book is perfect to share with a classroom on the first day or at home before the first day. I can also see kids enjoying the story itself and wanting to read it all the time. Rexy's first day is full of some humor and will have kids loving it.
