Off to First Grade

by Louise Borden, Joan Rankin (Illustrator)

It's the first day of first grade, and everyone in Mrs. Miller's class is getting ready! Anna is excited about reading zillions of books, Ben's mom gives him a big off-to-first-grade hug, and Claire poses for a first-day picture. In Off to First Grade we hear from all twenty-three of Mrs. Miller's students - from Anna to Yoshi - and even the school principal, Mr. Zimmerman, as they prepare for a day that promises to be filled with fun, learning and laughs.

Every young reader will find someone to identify with as this class deals with the excitement, nerves and feelings of anticipation that go along with the first day of first grade.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, School Stories, Back To School

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

There were already two Louises in my family when I was born: my mother and my grandmother, Nana, who lived with us when I was growing up. So early on, I was given the name Leezie. This is a name that my family still calls me. Years later, my niece was born and also named Louise. Then there were four of us with the same name! Louise is a fine name to have except that people often spell it incorrectly. Sometimes my mail is addressed to Louisa, or Louisie, or Lewis, or Lois. Leezie is also tough for people to spell. Names and their pronunciations have always interested me, so writing about a teacher named Mrs. Kempczinski was a natural thing for me to do.

I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.

Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.

Reviews

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today was S's first day of first grade, and L happened to find this book at the library while we were there so she brought it home for us to read tonight. This is a reassuring story about beginning a new school year. I liked that the characters had multicultural names so it gave the book a feeling of diversity even though technically all of the characters are animals. This was the rare children's picture book where I actually enjoyed the text more than the pictures (usually I like both equally or it's the other way around). The pictures aren't bad, don't get me wrong, it's just not my favorite drawing style. S and L both liked this book a lot, though. L technically read it three times today (twice with me and once with Daddy).

[Clwseattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off to First Grade is cleverly written from the perspective of the students and adults of first grade. . . alphabetically. They each tell a charming story about themselves, their preparations for first grade, their family. The illustrations are cute in soft and gentle colors.

4 stars

[Carina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom and I picked out this book from the library since it's time to start thinking about back to school. Even though I'm going into kindergarten instead of first grade, I still liked this book because of how the pages went in alphabetical order.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book shows us a glimpse of the many different children in a first grade class and we get a glimpse of how their family's love and connect with them.

[WinterBat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 3/4 stars

Cute book from the perspectives of all the different students and staff for first grade

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different stories of kids on their first day of school. Everyone starts with a different letter of the alphabet.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be great for kids who are a little nervous about starting big-kid school. It shows a variety of students and their thoughts about starting first grade, and it also gives the perspective of some of the adults they might encounter: the teacher, the bus driver, and the principal.

[Johna Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the first day of first grade, and everyone in Mrs. Miller's class is preparing for this fun day! In this story, we hear from all twenty-three of Mrs. Miller's students as well as the principal, as they express their concerns about the first grade. I expect that each of my students will have someone to identify with as this class shares the excitement, nerves and feelings of anticipation that go along with the first day of first grade. As a teacher, I would read this story at the beginning of the year because this story could take away any butterflies the students may have about being in a new class. One of my goals is to make students feel welcome as soon as they step into my classroom. I believe the most important part of the first day is helping students feel comfortable and enthusiastic about attending school.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant and reassuring book about a classroom full of animal-students getting ready for their first day of first grade: friends, a new immigrant child, one who doeesn't want to go, and a transfer student. It's also an alphabet book, from Anna to Mr. Zimmerman the principal. Multicultural names, children of varying interests and attitudes, and Richard-Scarry-like illustrations make this an appealing back-to-school book for any community.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book! Perfect for every child whether he/she is getting first day jitters, or is excited and ready to go. Borden gives the reader insight on every child's first day, the teacher's first day and even the principal's first day. Some children talk about riding the bus to school, others walk, and still others have dad drive.

[Caroline Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for buiding excitement about the school-year and making children feel as if they are all valuable and equally important components of the classroom community. It also touches on the fact that all children are different and will have different expectations and goals for themselves. It's perfect for early in the school year and of course for first grade!

[571 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade 1–3 SLJ/ Ages 4-8 BK
story gives a snapshot of each member of a first grade class as they get ready for their 1st day of school. Multicultural, shows a variety of situations, questions, and thoughts new 1st graders may have.

[Gina Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grades 1-3

We get to hear about 23 different students in this first grade class. There is sure to be someone to idendify with for each of your students. A great book for the first week of school for both children starting school and for new students to the school.

[Sonja Isaacson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an alphabet book - a character for every letter.
And really it's about a piece of the morning for each character.
I like that there are different family situations.
Only a couple of them have worries which is nice... don't want to keep hitting on first day fears.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that it shows a variety of student situations and feelings as well as adult personnel in the school. Unfortunately, this book has not been translated into Spanish or else I would consider using it for a reader's theater-type activity since the book is organized by character story lines.

[Lindsey Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could see this book being used as a "book buddies" introduction. An older grade of students could each play a part of this story and read it to a group of first graders in the beginning of the year. Then we could talk about the differences of one another yet the similarities of being at school.

[Ruby / Nina]

We were so excited because there's a Nina in the class! Ruby gets to see her name in lots of stories, but Nina rarely does, so this was a nice surprise. (even if she is a funny-looking dog!)

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheery and kid-identifiable poem stories about going to first grade accompanied by invitingly cute and friendly art.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My almost-first-grader and I enjoyed this book, though it is a bit dated since they write on the blackboard with chalk.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this book, I think we'll be giving lots of hugs on the first day of first grade next week - and maybe a lucky penny tucked in a pocket.

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

"first grade, first day of school, multiple voices"

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book to read to your child when they are going to first grade. You can talk about the different points of view and the first day is everyones first day.

Picture book

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got to love any book with a teacher named Mrs. Miller, yes? This is a wonderful book to share with your children or students as they begin first grade.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I over how there were so many different stories about the first graders and acknowledging the many emotions that accompany going back to school.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a story in the true sense, but a nice first day of school book. Xavier appears to be missing from the list of name cards on Mrs. Miller's page.

[Leyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers all of the aspects a first grader-first could go through. Perfect!

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the children are ready for first grade.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for those going off to first grade. It looks at the day from different perspectives.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great empathy building, multicultural story. It goes through the mornings of all 23 kids in a first grade class on their first day of school, sharing little bits about their diverse lives, such as different ways they each got to school (i.e. bus, driving with dad, walking with mom, walking with friends, being dropped off by big sister), different thoughts and feelings they have about their first day, etc. Love that it show "children" (they're all animals) of different backgrounds such as an immigrant learning English, kids with diverse names (i.e. Li, Umberto, etc). Great for building empathy, getting kids to see that not every experience mirrors their own, and hopefully assuaging some first day jitters.