It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him?
The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.
Boston Globe Best Books of the Year, Washington Post Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, Goodreads Choice Awards, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
Praise for School's First Day of School
Recipient of 7 starred reviews!
"Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street) gives the school just a hint of visual personification in his flattened, paint-and-collage artwork, as Rex (Moonday) deftly juggles well-placed jokes and keen insights into feeling comfortable in one’s own skin—or bricks, as the case may be."—Publishers Weekly, starred
"Using his signature, simple style, Robinson alternates scenes of the building and its interiors with shots that show the boisterously diverse kids' first day.A unique point of view makes this school book stand out."—Kirkus Reviews, starred
"Sure to become a staple for first days of school everywhere."—Horn Book, starred
"This charming reversal of first-day-of-school nerves will delight little ones
and help put their own anxieties at bay."—Booklist, starred
"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."— School Library Journal, starred
"A delightful, perspective-tweaking back-to-school picture book."—Shelf Awareness, starred
"Anthropomorphization of the whole building is a new and promising approach for school-shy youngsters, and it’ll make the already school-positive want to give their beloved building a hug."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred
Reviews from Goodreads
Adam Rex
Christian Robinson
For Parents and Educators
Get the Activity Guide
Download the School's First Day of School projects for children to do at home and in the classroom