First Day Jitters

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Judy Love

FirstDayJittersIt is the first day of school.  Sarah Jane Hartwell hides under her covers and says she isn’t going to school.  It’s a new school, and she doesn’t know anyone there – and she doesn’t want to go.

“That’s just it.  I don’t know anybody, and it will be hard, and…I just hate it, that’s all.”

Mr. Hartwell tries saying different things to reassure her, and to get her out of bed.  Finally Sarah tumbles out of bed and gets dressed.

Mr. Hartwell drives her to school.  Her hands feel cold and clammy.  She is nervous.  Mr. Hartwell points out the school principal.

“You’ll love your new school once you get started….There’s your principal, Mrs. Burton.”

Mrs. Burton shows Sarah to her classroom, reassuring her along the way through the crowded hallways.

“Don’t worry.  Everyone is nervous the first day.”

Then, Mrs. Burton introduces Sarah to the class.  And, in a nice twist, we learn that Sarah is the teacher.

This is a fun picture book for the start of a new school year, or for children switching schools after the school year has started.  The illustrations don’t show enough of Sarah for the reader to guess that she is an adult – keeping the surprise until the end. Sometimes it helps if children know that even teachers get nervous the first day of school.  A good picture book to share as the start of school approaches.

6 Comments

  1. Julie Grasso on August 23, 2013 at 2:37 am

    How delightful, I love the premise. Thanks so much for linking it in to the Kid Lit Blog Hop

    • bookwormbear on August 23, 2013 at 10:30 pm

      Thanks for stopping by from the Kid Lit Blog Hop!

  2. Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews on August 23, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    Very timely book! Thanks for sharing in the Kid Lit Blog Hop. 🙂

  3. bookwormbear on August 23, 2013 at 10:33 pm

    Schools are starting around now in many places – we have another week, but are thinking about classes and teachers already. Thanks for stopping by from the Kid Lit Blog Hop!

  4. Rhythm on August 24, 2013 at 11:46 am

    What a great twisty concept!! Teachers being nervous! Who ever thinks of that? This looks like a cute book – I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing!

    • bookwormbear on August 25, 2013 at 12:47 pm

      I really like the twist with the teacher being nervous, too. Thanks for stopping by Bookworm Bear!

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