My first day at school by Meredith Costain and Michelle Mackintosh
Windy Hollow Books, 2013. ISBN 9781922081254.
(Age: 4-6) Recommended. My First Day at School follows what
four very different children experience as they go to school for the first
time. The reader becomes very familiar with the emotions and
encounters of Zach, Amira, Ari and Zoe as they become used to what
it is like becoming big school children.
This is an excellent introduction to a first day at school and would
be ideal to read to young children before they go to school. There
is a depth to the information that would be very helpful in
familiarising children with what school is like. In a verse story,
Costain describes the feelings of each child; Zach who is eager to
leave his parents, Amira whose friends help her join the class, Ari
who finds all the rules disconcerting and livewire Zoe who has
trouble being quiet. Some of the things that may worry children,
like going to the toilet and time for snacks, are explained clearly
and children would be left with a sense that school can be a very
happy place for all types of children.
The illustrations by Michelle Mackintosh complement the text and
show the diversity of the class. They are often humorous and as such
will be enjoyed by the young child.
This is an ideal book for parents, grandparents and carers to read
to children just about to venture out on the new experience of going
to school or even for those who are returning to the classroom.