First Day

by Joan Rankin

It's the first day of school at Yappy Puppy Play School and Haybillybun is worried about attending, but after he arrives and meets new friends, Haybillybun returns home with a new sense of excitement to share his stories with his mother who has been missing him all morning.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2002

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite with my kids! Love the silly names and the sweet story :)

[Ruth Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the soft but lively watercolor illustrations and I liked that the author explored the mother's, as well as the child's, feelings about the first day of school.

I think this book depicts preschool or maybe kindergarten but it didn't meet my expectation. I didn't like the extra long, strange character names nor the excuses why the student doesn't want to go to school. I don't think the storyline will connect with children.

[Ali Hembree · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not the best when it comes to explaining how the first day of school. It is meant for students about to start school. In this book, the character has a weird name and he is scared that everyone will make fun of his name or even how he looks. His mother attempts to make him feel better but he doesn't feel better until he goes to his first day and discovers that it is not that bad.

[Niena Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose the book "First Day" by Joan Rankin because it is important that students are encouraged to try new things. In this book Rankin did a great job describing Haybillybuns first day of school. He was very discouraged when he woke up but when he got to school everything was better. Therfore, I believe this would be a great book to have in a 3rd grade classroom due to the large amount of text.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to my five-year-old son who will be starting Kindergarten tomorrow. He didn't relate to the puppy; I didn't relate to the mother. Still, other kids and moms might get more of the book than we did.

Actual rating, 2.5 stars, but I round up.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children grades 1-3 seem to enjoy this book because it reminds them of a comfortable, safe school environment; caring and loving parents; and the victory of personal identity or pride in who they are. Many children remember their own first day of school when reading this book.

[Ayatalla · Rating 4 out of 5]

try to cut the names in three parts because to long and wierd

[Maria]

Adorable book about Child and Mom's fears about the first day of school....loved it ;)

[The Bougie Twins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for both child and mother in preparation for the first day of preschool, 4k, or kindergarten.