THE FIRST DAY
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.
When the teacher said hello, Grampa asked her if she was mean.
"Oh no!" she assured them and told them that she liked songs, books, and yellow pencils. Finally reassured, Baby Duck joined Davy Duck, skipping into school singing about the fun she would have.
Most back-to-school books focus on a child's nervousness, but in "Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten" by Toni Buzzeo, Annie's excitement causes a few problems as she adjusts to the rules. Annie is very excited about the different kinds of adventure she might have at school, but her mother tells her that sometimes "kindergarten is its own adventure."
Her teacher Mr. Todd explains the "Kindergarten Gold Star Rules," but Annie is still single-minded in her focus. Wearing her zookeeper hat, she has a "wild animal zoo adventure" when she decorates the hamster cage with colorful paint.
Wearing her high-wire slippers, she heads out alone to the playground for some "high-flying circus adventure."
At afternoon snack time, Annie desperately wants to go pick up the milk, but Mr. Todd chooses students who are a little less adventurous. When they get lost, there is only one student Mr. Todd can think of to help.
Adventure Annie to the rescue!
Rebecca Purdy is coordinator of children's services for Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Phone her at 540/372-1160 or email her at
Email: rpurdy@crrl.org.