THE FIRST DAY of school is one of those rare events that adults and their children approach with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

Whether your child had their backpack ready weeks in advance or hid under the table when it was time to meet the bus, congratulations to you for surviving.

Unfortunately, although all area children have jumped that first-day hurdle, it doesn't mean the challenges are over. A school-related picture book could be a great conversation starter or just plain fun.

In "Minerva Louise at School" by Janet Morgan Stoeke, Minerva Louise woke up before the other hens and decided to take a walk. She discovered a "big, fancy, barn" and watched "the farmer hang his laundry out to dry."

Looking at the illustrations, readers will recognize a custodian hanging the American flag outside of an elementary school, but hens have a slightly smaller world view.

Heading inside, Minerva Louise thinks each classroom is a different animal's stall and the cubbies look like uniquely decorated nesting boxes. One has ribbons (a jump rope), another fur (a sweater) and another holds an egg (a glove with a baseball in it).

With no mother in sight, Minerva Louise is worried the egg will get cold so she surrounds it with hay (pencils). Then she hurries home to incorporate some of these wonderful new ideas. The final picture shows Minerva Louise, happy in her nesting box now decorated with a hose, some gloves, seed packets and of course, that special hay--a pencil.

In "Off to School, Baby Duck!" by Amy Hest, Baby Duck was one of those who hid under the table. She was filled with dread and her "stomach was all jitters."

She loved her blue school bag and all of the important things inside, including the yellow pencil that was a "special going-to-school present" from her little sister, but it wasn't enough assurance.

When she arrived at school, Grampa was there to wish her well and, with his encouragement, she shared her fears that the teacher would be mean and she wouldn't have any fun or friends.

Things started to look up when Baby Duck showed Grampa a picture she had drawn and Davy Duck came over to see.