I Am NOT Going to School Today! - Hardcover

Harris, Robie H.; Ormerod, Jan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689839138 ISBN 13: 9780689839139

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003

Synopsis

"I closed my eyes and held on tight to Hank. That's when I decided that going to the very first day of school was NOT a good idea."

When a child gets ready for the first day of school, it feels very exciting. But doing something new for the first time can also feel somewhat scary.
With great affection and humor, Robie H. Harris and Jan Ormerod, creators of the award-winning picture book Goodbye Mousie, tell the captivating story of a child who decides that skipping the very first day of school is a very good idea.
But with help from his favorite stuffed animal, Hank, and his parents, he discovers that going to the very first day of school can be fun and exciting -- and once you have done something new, it's not quite so new and scary anymore.

About this title

About the Author

Robie Harris began her career as a teacher and has written numerous books for children, including the bestselling 'Goodbye, Mousie'. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jan Ormerod has illustrated many award-winning picture books. As with 'Goodbye, Mousie', her beautiful illustrations compliment this universal story, capturing the mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety about starting the first day at school. Born in Australia, Jan now lives in Cambridge, England, with her family.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-As in Goodbye Mousie (McElderry, 2001), a book about the loss of a pet, Harris and Ormerod successfully combine simplicity with sensitivity to take on another emotionally stressful situation-facing the first day of school. After packing his knapsack and choosing his clothes for the next morning, a young boy feels ready for just about anything. However, once the lights are out, he clutches Hank, his stuffed monkey, and begins to worry. Before breakfast, he declares that he intends to stay home, "Because on the very first day of school, you don't know anything!" His parents patiently address his concerns, which include not being familiar with the routine and a reluctance to leave Hank behind, and Mom comes up with the idea of taking the monkey along. Once the child is settled in Mr. Chase's classroom, all of his questions are answered and his fears are put to rest. Told from the youngster's point of view, this story is filled with details that will strike a chord with children. The vivid illustrations done in black pencil line and watercolor washes feature simple yet elegantly drawn characters. The bright colors of their clothing contrast neatly with the white backgrounds. The artwork extends the text, as the pictures show the narrator meeting another equally tentative child who is holding on just as tightly to his teddy bear; by day's end, the two are fast friends. A reassuring anecdote for those beginning-of-the-year jitters.
Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0689839138
• ISBN 13: 9780689839139
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32