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Mae’s First Day of School: A Picture Book
Author/illustrator Kate Berube’s Mae’s First Day of School is “a reassuring, gently amusing picture book for children anticipating (or remembering) their first day of school” ( Booklist ).
As Mae’s first day of school approaches she decides she IS. NOT. GOING. School is scary! What if the other kids don’t like her? Or what if she’s the only one who doesn’t know how to write? Or what if she misses her mom?
Mae’s anxiety only builds as she walks to school. But then she meets Rosie and Ms. Pearl. Will making new friends show her that they can conquer their fears together?
“Berube’s story takes its protagonist’s fears seriously, and even though young readers are likely to anticipate the story’s outcome, its respect for their emotions is clear . . . A sweet affirmation of jitters and comfort in numbers.” — Kirkus Reviews
As Mae’s first day of school approaches she decides she IS. NOT. GOING. School is scary! What if the other kids don’t like her? Or what if she’s the only one who doesn’t know how to write? Or what if she misses her mom?
Mae’s anxiety only builds as she walks to school. But then she meets Rosie and Ms. Pearl. Will making new friends show her that they can conquer their fears together?
“Berube’s story takes its protagonist’s fears seriously, and even though young readers are likely to anticipate the story’s outcome, its respect for their emotions is clear . . . A sweet affirmation of jitters and comfort in numbers.” — Kirkus Reviews
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Kate Berube
11 books25 followersKate’s debut picture book as an author and illustrator is HANNAH AND SUGAR, published by Abrams Books For Young Readers. Kate illustrated THE SUMMER NICK TAUGHT HIS CATS TO READ, by Curtis Manley - published by Simon & Schuster’s Paula Wiseman Books. Kate also illustrated MY LITTLE HALF-MOON by Douglas Todd Jennerich - published by Putnam Books. Kate now lives in Portland, Oregon.
Kate Berube (Bear uh bee) grew up wanting to be an artist in a cow-filled Connecticut town. She earned her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Like so many artists, Kate’s career trajectory wasn't a straight line – she’s been a nanny, a tax preparer in Massachusetts, a scenic painter in NYC, a decorative painter in Chicago, and a bookseller in Portland.
Kate Berube (Bear uh bee) grew up wanting to be an artist in a cow-filled Connecticut town. She earned her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Like so many artists, Kate’s career trajectory wasn't a straight line – she’s been a nanny, a tax preparer in Massachusetts, a scenic painter in NYC, a decorative painter in Chicago, and a bookseller in Portland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 5, 2018
Mae's first day of school is a bit challenging but Mae isn't the only one having a tough time.
July 2, 2019
First day of school story about three people who help each other overcome their fears about school.
September 12, 2018
Very cute story about Mae, who does not want to go to school. She climbs a tree to escape it, and is then joined by another nervous student and her nervous teacher. It's a simple idea, but the writing is really good (which makes all the magical difference) and I love that the teacher is worried about missing her cat! Such a sweet book. Will use for sure.
September 24, 2018
Mae has concerns - and some rebellion - about going to school. Finding out that she is not the only one feeling that way and some empathy from her teacher helps. Could be helpful for other children getting ready to start school.
July 16, 2018
Cute! Loved how the teacher handled the situation.
January 18, 2019
Many children struggle with new situations like going to school for the first time. Kate Berube has captured the feelings of young children perfectly.
Mae’s phrase “I’m not going” is repeated several times – children will be able to contribute these words in subsequent readings of the story. Through the text Mae learns that others feel the same way she does. What if the kids don’t like her. What if she’s the only one who doesn’t know how to write? What if she misses her mother? In her defiant attempt to avoid school she climbs a tree and is joined by another girl and a lady – all with the same fears. Together they face their fears and go to school.
Kate Berube created the illustrations for this picture book using ink, flashe paint, acrylic paint, and colored pencils. Her illustrations go beyond the text and show the reader things that are not in the text.
Mae’s First Day of School would be a good picture book to read at the start of a new semester or anytime when new students are expected in a class. If you are looking for more “First Day” books for your library, Mae’s First Day of School deserves your consideration.
I did receive a complimentary copy of the book from Abrams Books for Young Readers in exchange for this honest review on my children’s literature blog. I was not required to give a positive review.
Mae’s phrase “I’m not going” is repeated several times – children will be able to contribute these words in subsequent readings of the story. Through the text Mae learns that others feel the same way she does. What if the kids don’t like her. What if she’s the only one who doesn’t know how to write? What if she misses her mother? In her defiant attempt to avoid school she climbs a tree and is joined by another girl and a lady – all with the same fears. Together they face their fears and go to school.
Kate Berube created the illustrations for this picture book using ink, flashe paint, acrylic paint, and colored pencils. Her illustrations go beyond the text and show the reader things that are not in the text.
Mae’s First Day of School would be a good picture book to read at the start of a new semester or anytime when new students are expected in a class. If you are looking for more “First Day” books for your library, Mae’s First Day of School deserves your consideration.
I did receive a complimentary copy of the book from Abrams Books for Young Readers in exchange for this honest review on my children’s literature blog. I was not required to give a positive review.
September 19, 2018
Every year parents ask for books about starting school. This one seems perfect for people starting kindergarten. Mae insists that she doesn't want to go to school, and she has good reasons.
As it turns out, they are nearly the same reasons as another kid named Rosie, and also an adult names Ms, Pearl. They find this out while hiding together in a tree in front of the school, sharing cookies.
Even though the story ends before any of them enter the school, they have modeled many of the precise socialization skills that will help children enjoy school - sharing, taking turns talking & listening, and finding things in common.
The gentle-colored illustrations in watercolor, brown ink, and crayon depict people of different skin colors & hairstyles; inclusive multiculturalism without purposefulness - but the focus of young readers' attention may be the wide-ranging facial expressions which - in just tiny flecks of brown ink - manage to show the entire gamut of emotions.
I think this will especially resonate with young readers who are reluctant to start school.
As it turns out, they are nearly the same reasons as another kid named Rosie, and also an adult names Ms, Pearl. They find this out while hiding together in a tree in front of the school, sharing cookies.
Even though the story ends before any of them enter the school, they have modeled many of the precise socialization skills that will help children enjoy school - sharing, taking turns talking & listening, and finding things in common.
The gentle-colored illustrations in watercolor, brown ink, and crayon depict people of different skin colors & hairstyles; inclusive multiculturalism without purposefulness - but the focus of young readers' attention may be the wide-ranging facial expressions which - in just tiny flecks of brown ink - manage to show the entire gamut of emotions.
I think this will especially resonate with young readers who are reluctant to start school.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2023
Right from the first page we learn that this book is part of an unofficial, multi-author series:
Kids Who Don't Want to Go to School.
Clearly, there's a need. Let me tell you my opinion of this title in the series.
FIRST OF ALL
The illustrations are lively, engaging.
While the narration is clear and straightforward.
NEXT
As is the case for so many books in this series, the child goes through all her fears. In this case, the sympathetic listener is Mae's mother.
The ending is, of course, happy.
I wouldn't call this book original, not in the least. Unless you count the chatty teacher who gets chummy with reluctant new students. Maybe this will be meaningful for certain reluctant students.
Otherwise, the text and illustrations are just fine.
So FIVE STARS to author and illustrator Kate Berube.
Kids Who Don't Want to Go to School.
Clearly, there's a need. Let me tell you my opinion of this title in the series.
FIRST OF ALL
The illustrations are lively, engaging.
While the narration is clear and straightforward.
NEXT
As is the case for so many books in this series, the child goes through all her fears. In this case, the sympathetic listener is Mae's mother.
The ending is, of course, happy.
I wouldn't call this book original, not in the least. Unless you count the chatty teacher who gets chummy with reluctant new students. Maybe this will be meaningful for certain reluctant students.
Otherwise, the text and illustrations are just fine.
So FIVE STARS to author and illustrator Kate Berube.
November 4, 2018
Mae is scared and doesn't want to to go to school. She hides at home and then hides in a tree when she and her mom get to school. Someone else climbs the tree and Mae meets another little girl who doesn't want to go to school. They share cookies and visit and discover they're scared of the same things. Pretty soon an adult woman climbs up too. She's scared of similar things. The three of them decide to go to school together. So the teacher and the two little girls head to class.
Use to talk about everyone having similar concerns early in the year.
Use to talk about everyone having similar concerns early in the year.
August 23, 2020
“You know what? We’re all afraid of the same things. I’m glad I’m not the only one.”
Mae does not want to go to school. There are too many things that could go wrong. What if the other kids don’t like her? What if she missed her mother? So when Mae and her mother get to school, Mae goes right up a tree and refuses to go to school. Soon, another girl, Rosie, climbs up the tree and refuses to go to school. Finally Ms. Pearl climbs up the tree, as well.
What they find out is that there’s not nearly as many things to worry about as they thought. And together, they walk into the building.
Cute.
Mae does not want to go to school. There are too many things that could go wrong. What if the other kids don’t like her? What if she missed her mother? So when Mae and her mother get to school, Mae goes right up a tree and refuses to go to school. Soon, another girl, Rosie, climbs up the tree and refuses to go to school. Finally Ms. Pearl climbs up the tree, as well.
What they find out is that there’s not nearly as many things to worry about as they thought. And together, they walk into the building.
Cute.
August 9, 2018
What a fabulous first day of school story! There is a bit of a change here as it not the parents that convince the characters to go to school, it is the characters themselves. The illustrations are simple, but perfectly depict the moods of the characters and Mae, in particular, who has many mood changes throughout the story. A worthy addition to first day of school books in libraries that need them.
September 9, 2019
This first day of school book is charmingly deceiving. With Mae refusing to go to school, kids will make connections to many other beginning school books, but when the teacher refuses to go and climbs a tree to hide, readers will be surprised and intrigued to find out how everything turns out! The happy ending is the perfect way to start a first day at school, especially kindergarten. An awesome book.
April 21, 2022
Mae keeps insisting she's not going to school.
When they get to the building, she climbs a tree.
Soon another girl climbs up with her. The new girl has the same fears. They share cookies.
Then, an adult climbs up. She has the same kind of fears. They share cookies.
They decide that friendship with one another cancels out many of their fears.
They climb down and go in.
I think kids will like the silliness of a Teacher scared of the first day of school
When they get to the building, she climbs a tree.
Soon another girl climbs up with her. The new girl has the same fears. They share cookies.
Then, an adult climbs up. She has the same kind of fears. They share cookies.
They decide that friendship with one another cancels out many of their fears.
They climb down and go in.
I think kids will like the silliness of a Teacher scared of the first day of school
November 3, 2025
" Mae's First Day of School.'" This book is a about a little girl who doesn't want to go to school. I'm not Going! The dialogue show a little girl with her head down who is worried about the first day of school. The Illustration shows a girl with brown hair fair skinned hold a book with a neutral back ground. This book is good for parent to read to children. It shows that on the first day of school everyone may feel the same way and have the same feelings about the first day and thats okay.
December 3, 2018
Sweet story of the first day of school for a child who isn't all that brave going to a new place to learn. But Mae finds herself some like minded friends who share her anxiety. Good read aloud and beginning the school year book for younger children. I love the idea viewing the school from another perspective.
December 4, 2018
This is a super-duper sweet book. Mae is nervous about the first day of school and decides she is not going to go. Two other anxious first-timers, a little girl named Rosie and a teacher named Ms. Pearl, join Mae up in her protest tree. The three discuss their fears and decide to help each other through the first day. Very cute!
July 31, 2021
Simple and humorous back-to-school book for preschool/Kindergarten.
Two girls who are afraid of school climb a tree to avoid going into the building. The teacher--also afraid--joins them. And of course, they all go to school afterall.
Good read-aloud for the first day.
Unfortunately, this story is so specific to the first day of school that it may not be used much beyond that.
Two girls who are afraid of school climb a tree to avoid going into the building. The teacher--also afraid--joins them. And of course, they all go to school afterall.
Good read-aloud for the first day.
Unfortunately, this story is so specific to the first day of school that it may not be used much beyond that.
May 15, 2018
Loved this! A very different take on those first-day-of-school fears and one that made me laugh! The illustrations are very nicely done but the text really shines.
Definitely add to back-to-school collections!
Definitely add to back-to-school collections!
August 16, 2018
I really should make a "Super flippin' cute" bookshelf on this website because this book is IT. The love the kids just assembling in the tree to decide why they absolutely can't go to school .
August 30, 2018
Clever little spin about the first day os school jitters. Mae's not the only one feeling a bit of trepidation about setting foot inside the classroom. A rather unexpected guest joins her protest perch on a tree branch.
September 15, 2018
First day of school jitters affect a lot of kids, even teachers. This was a sweet book about how a child is not the only one who is a little nervous on the first day of school. I really enjoyed the illustrations as well.
September 26, 2018
This book is so much more adorable than I could have dreamed. It's a great new twist on "first day jitters" stories - and it shows that not just the kids are dreading missing their families or being unpopular or making a mistake.
November 23, 2018
Such an accurate representation of the fears of starting a new thing.
What if they don't like me? What if I miss my mom/dad/cat?
Fortunately, Mae finds others who are just as worried about new things as she is and somehow that makes it feel a bit better.
What if they don't like me? What if I miss my mom/dad/cat?
Fortunately, Mae finds others who are just as worried about new things as she is and somehow that makes it feel a bit better.
July 10, 2019
I am only now becoming familiar with Kate Berube's work, but I love her unique, cozy illustrative style, and I like that her stories include familiar feelings that children can identify with. This book also includes a Ms. Pearl character who I adore!
August 6, 2019
A story of anxiety and worry regarding the first day of school. Upper elementary readers will be solidified in their understanding of story patterns. This makes the book a great mentor text for blossoming future authors. My 8 year old enjoyed the illustrations as well.
October 26, 2019
Nana read this book to me. I loved it. This is my morning all the time. I like school and playing with friends but I miss Nana when i’m there. I think it was nice that she made a friend who didn’t like school too.
December 31, 2019
Good read aloud for kids who are nervous about starting a new school. Spoiler: the teacher is nervous as well. Works well with international school students, as many transition during their years overseas.
November 24, 2022
𝐦𝐚𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥. 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥. & 𝐦𝐬. 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐥𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥. 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐣𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬. 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
August 20, 2023
Mae is joined by another hesitant student AND a hesitant teacher in the tree she has climbed to avoid going in to school. Simple, but effective, with the necessary happy (we hope) ending. Has anyone yet written the book when a child really refuses to go in? What happens then??
February 22, 2025
Mae's First Day of School: A Picture Book (Paperback)
by Kate Berube
First day anxiety is not uncommon for children. But teachers have that anxiety too. The fact that a teacher joined these two young girls shows that its common. Shows that we have to give things a chance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews