The Night Before First Grade

by Natasha Wing, Deborah Zemke (Illustrator)

It’'s the night before the Big Day—-first grade! Penny is excited to start the year with her best friend right beside her in the same classroom. This humorous take on Clement C. Moore’s classic tale has a perfect twist ending that will surprise readers —as well as the "heroine" of the story— and help all about-to-be first-graders through their own back-to-school jitters.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Back To School, Friendship, Fiction, Poetry

32 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2005

About the author

Why am I a writer? When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a teacher. I’d line up my stuffed animals in front of a board and teach them the alphabet and how to count. In high school I wanted to be a tennis player. I was on the tennis team, and played at our neighborhood tennis club. Then in college I thought digging dinosaur bones would be a cool job. It wasn’t until I was working at my own public relations agency that I decided I really wanted to write children’s books. I was so inspired by the magic of reading a book that I wanted to see if my active imagination could create magical moments for kids all over the world. I started to write, then sent my stories to publishers, and sold my first manuscript in 1992. I’ve been writing ever since.

Why I write now.

I love the freedom of being my own boss, of coming up with ideas on my own and writing that first draft to see if my idea has any spark. I’m not so crazy about the revising process although there are thrilling moments when I figure out a better way to say something, or when I nail dialog, or work through a complicated plot line. The most exciting moment is when an editor says they want to publish my manuscript. Then I know all my hard work has paid off, and that soon, children will enter my imaginative world through a book.

Reviews

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night Before First Grade is a children's picture book written by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Deborah Zemke. It is a little girl named Penny, who is excited for first grade and to be reunited with her best friend Jenny, but to horror of horrors – they are not in the same classroom. As today is the day before the first day of school, I thought reading this book would be apropos to my nieces.

Wing's text is simplistic and lyrical. It is written in the style of "The Night Before Christmas". The poem was written especially well and follows the rhythm and style of the original poem extremely well. Zemke's illustrations are wonderfully depicted, albeit a tad cartoonish, but represented the text and tone rather well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It is the day before the first day of first grade and Penny is excited to be returning to school as she prepares her rucksack, clothes, and lunch for the big day. She hopes to be reunited with her best friend Penny, but upon returning to school they found out that they would be in different classes. Worried, Penny soon made new friends and befriends another girl named Nina – at lunch, the best friends reunites with each other and Penny is surprised that Jenny made a new friend in Tina – the twin sister of Nina.

All in all, The Night Before First Grade is a wonderful children's book done in the style of "The Night Before Christmas". It is a story about a little girl named Penny and the new friends she made on the first day of first grade.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about the plans a young girl named Penny makes as she prepares for the first day of first grade with her best friend Jenny. But the beat laid plans are disrupted in this lyrical and rhyming tale to meter of The Night Before Christmas.

[Tiffany Hsich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very beautiful detailed drawings that detail how a little girl prepares for her 1st day of 1st grade! Incorporates independence and a willingness to have new experiences outside of one’s comfort zone.

[The Bougie Twins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the little "twist" at the end!

[Melissa Goembel]

The night before first grade. Penny is excited about first grade. She is preparing to see her friend Jenny and cannot wait! Then when she gets to school, they have split the first grade. This causes her friend and her to be separated. Penny and Jenny both meet new friends. She sees Jenny at lunch who has also made a new friend. Their new friends are twins. Everyone is happy and friends.

[Jasmine Jones (EDUC378)]

Text-to Teaching Connection

I want to teach first grade so I intend to read this to my students on the first day of school. After reading this book, we would do a reading activity where we would first talk about their night before first grade. I would then hand out a worksheet for the students to complete to decorate the classroom with expressing their emotions about first grade.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good book to read like at the end of kindergarten, or the first day of first grade. It talks about what the girl in the book did to get prepared for first grade. Then it shows her first day of school and how they had to split the classes and she is not with her best friend anymore. This makes her a little upset, because I know when you are that young, you want to see your friends in school. In the end, she makes a new friend with a girl in her class and then she realizes something her best friend's new friend. It's a cool little book.
With your first grade class, you could read the book and then ask them to write about what they did the night before first grade. Did they do any of the items like the girl in the book?

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

As part of a project for a college course on children's literature, a group of us visited an elementary school and read this book to a small group of first-graders, who seemed to enjoy it very much. They also enjoyed discussing it afterward, and I really think that they, having just begun the first grade themselves, were able to identify with the characters. The book, which is part homage to and part parody of Clement C. Moore's famous poem, tells of some students who begin first grade and make new friends. The story is believable, and the characters themselves are both realistic and memorable. The words are accompanied by vivid illustrations.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story that took a spin off of "The Night Before Christmas" and told about a little girl getting ready for first grade. When she gets to school, she realizes that her best friend is in another class but she makes another friend in her class. Very cute story that can relieve many nerves about first grade and a new start to the year.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book for explaining to little ones that they might not be in the same class room with their friends from kindergarten, but assures them that they will still see them around school and will also make new friends.

[Hailey Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most kids get scared for their first day of school after being home all summer but this book can be used to help put children at ease. Two girls are starting first grade together and they are vest friends. When they get to school they realize that they are now in separate classrooms and they sadly won't be together all day anymore. But in their new classrooms they make more friends to introduce to each other. When it comes lunch time they both introduce each other too their new friends making a big friend group. In conclusion to the story the author wraps it up by saying first grade will be the best yet, and that's a perfect way to end a story like this.

The author keeps this book rhyming the whole time and I feel like that's a great way to portray a story like this that's supposed to put someone at ease . Books like this are utilized to show children that school is not something to fear rather something to enjoy like the characters in the book. I like how the book shows that you can make new friends even with your old ones and have fun in your class even though you might be separated from your best friend. The illustrations looked like they had been painted in rather than colored and that isn't a normal technique in children's book so I thought it was a nice change from the norm. Another design element I thought was well done was the classroom setting because kids can look at that and get a sense of what their classroom may be like.Overall I feel as if this book is a really great tool to use if you have a child weary of starting of first grade to show them it is not as scary as it may seem.

[Emma Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
"The Night Before First Grade" by Natasha Wing and illustrated by Deborah Zemke is a delightful children's book that captures the excitement and nervousness of a young child on the night before starting first grade. The story follows a boy named Billy as he prepares for his big day by organizing his backpack, picking out his clothes, and trying to calm his jitters" (ChatGPT, July 15, 2024).

Commentary:
This book is a great story to use for children who are starting first grade. A lot of kids are nervous about starting a new grade and I think that they feel as if they are the only one but when we read this together and talk about what each of the students are excited but also nervous for, this could make each student feel more comfortable because they will understand that they are not alone in feeling the way that they do.

Application:
I would use this story on the first day of first grade. I would read this aloud to my students and start a group conservation about some of the things that they did the night before and also some of the things they are excited for this year and a few things they are nervous for this year. We could even use this as an icebreaker activity for each student to get to know one another. We could each say our name and introduce ourselves in a circle as well.

[Edna Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was incredibly fun reading this book. Penny is now a first grader and completely feels like one. She gets everything ready the night before her first day of first grade. She does things that has her family impressed by her growth. Her and her best friend Jenny wore the same outfit for their first day of school. This shows how strong their best friendship is. In school, they were in different first grade classes which had them a little sad and worried because they were separated. They used to be in the same kindergarten classroom. But their teacher helped them ease the separation feeling. Penny and Jenny each found a new friend in their class. They shared many common things. It turned out that their new friends were sisters and they were twins. I can see the importance role of a teacher here making their students feel welcomed and comfortable in class. I believe everyone goes through a moment in life feeling like Jenny and Penny did. But there's always someone to help us overcome those feelings. Then, things just get better from there.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is about our main character Penny who, just started first grade. Penny is excited to start first grade she, packs her lunch, her backpack, and sets her clothes out for the day. Most, of all she excited to be with her friend Jen. Finally, it is the first day she rides the bus next to Jen, but once penny and jen get to school they realize they are in different classes. A new girl is in Penny’s class, and they both have so much in common and become friends. Finally, it is lunch and jen has made a new friend too, and they all get along, and have a great year of first grade. I thought this book was great for young children because of the illustrations, the language, and the message. The language rhymes and the illustrations are bright and colorful captivaiting the eye. While the message is relatable to all children from making new friends, being in a different classroom than your best friend, and even being the new kid in class.

[Magdalena Bailon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book, The Night Before First Grade, there was a girl named Penny. Penny was going to start first grade with her best friend Jenny. Since it was the first day of first grade, Penny got everything ready for her first day the day before. It was finally the first day of school and Penny and Jenny were so excited. They were both going to be in the same class, but then something unexpected happened.
My overall impression of the book was that I like it. I like how it showed what happened to Penny on her first day of school. I like the story line. I thought it was an interesting and cute story. There are two literary elements in the story. They are setting and plot. The setting is that the story takes place at Penny’s house at first and then the school in a first-grade classroom. The plot is that Penny gets things ready for school, goes to school, and the time spent in classrooms.

[Lauren Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a little girl, named Penny, who has a best friend named Jen. They were both very excited for the first day of school, First Grade, they even matched their outfits. When They arrived at school though, they were disappointed, when they learned they were not in the same classroom due. Penny walked into her classroom, and befriended a new girl. She took her to lunch and then they learned, Jen had befriended Penny's new friend's twin.

The main theme in this book is friendship.

I loved this book, it is age appropriate and has a relatable message.

I recommend this book because and thought it could be a good first day of school book for younger kids. It could show them that making new friends is not all bad, and can make school more fun.

[Joecel Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penny is a young girl who is very excited about going to first grade. The night before her first day as a first grade student, Penny did not speak to anyone. Instead, she started doing her lunch for tomorrow. At her school, Penny went to go see her old kindergarten teacher and gave her a hug. She was surprise that Penny grew so tall over the summer.

Overall, I liked this book because it talks about "first times" I believe that all of us will never forget our first day of school. It doesn’t matter whether you're in elementary or college, the feeling is still the same. We all have expectations during our first day of school. It's fun seeing stories like this to ease children's anxiety about going to school.

[Michelle Bellotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Night Before First Grade" is a picture book about Penny preparing for her first day of first grade. She is excited to be with her best friend again, only for them to be in different classes; however, she ends up making a new friend in class. This picture book is obviously very relatable for children of this age and something good to read to your child before they go to school, or even as an introduction if you are a teacher. I thought it was really cool how one of the first grade teachers was a male. That is not very common, so I especially like that they included that element into this book.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The night before a new school year is always exciting, especially when you've planned everything with your best friend. But when you get to school and find out there's been a change in class lists and that you and your best friend will be separated, you're not sure it'll be as great as you imagined. The silver lining is that you get a chance to make a new friend... and find out that your best friend made a new friend too... and that the two new friends you've made are twins! Aren't school friendships fun!

[Abbi Sammons · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the first day of first grade or at the conclusion of kindergarten, this would be a suitable book to read. What the girl in the novel did to prepare for first grade is discussed. After that, it depicts her first day of school, when they had to divide the classes and she was separated from her best buddy. I understand that when you're that young, you want to see your pals at school, so this upsets her a little. After she eventually befriends a girl in her class, she discovers something about her best friend's new pal. It's an interesting small book.

[Annabel Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

(by 6.5 yo)

In the middle of the story, her friend was going to the same school as her, but they got separated into different classes. She finds a new friend and her other friend finds a new friend also.

At lunchtime, they saw each other and her old friend made friends with her new friend's sister! One was named Tina and the other one was named Nina. Her new friends were twins. They all had apples. She knew first grade would be so much fun!

[Paulina Paredes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book under poetry because of the rhyming and the structure. This book was about a little girl going into first grade and having to deal with so many changes. However, at the end she is able to enjoy lunch with a new group of friends! I would read this book to children who are going into first grade or any grade in general since it does let us know about some challenges that she faces!

[Samantha Ocampo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a super cute and fun story to read with young children as they are about to start a new school year. Penny is very excited to go back to school and be with her friends again. She shows as she prepares, that she is growing up and working on things on her own. I also really enjoyed the illustrations, as they helped describe the emotions that came with the different parts of the day.

[ReensReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great back to school book!

This rhyming book is perfect for back to school! I love the storyline about two friends starting first grade and realising they would not be in the same class. They were sad and nervous at first but they were able to make new friends and still have a great first day of school. It's a great story to help kids ease back into school and remind them that everything will be ok even if things are not what they expect.

[Paige Hickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Realistic
Grade Level: K- 1st Grade

I loved reading this book! I read it several times when I was a child and reading it again brought back so many memories. The author did a great job incorporating poetry on each page that created a cute little rhyme when reading it. I also loved that the author wrote about the night before first grade because many children get nervous before the first day, so this would be a great book to read to children before school!

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter went into first grade this year so when I saw this book at the store I grabbed it so we could have a fun and relevant book the night before she started. It was a cute easy read. I really enjoyed that it talked about making new friends because my daughter is a shy kid. It was the perfect read before her big day.
We would recommend it to anyone going into the first grade or even after that.

[Taya]

This is a great book for the first day of school for 1st grade. It is also a great at-home read for soon-to-be 1st graders. It can create excitement for school starting and help eliminate first-day jitters. It also shows readers that even when their friends are not in their class, they can make new friends and connections with new students they are just meeting. It is a sweet book that would be great for all soon to be first graders.

[Clwseattle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as I'm just about over children's books to the tone and cadence of "The 12 days of Christmas", I am equally over to those set to the tone of "The Night Before Christmas".

Happily, The Night Before First Grade has clever rhyming that makes sense and actually tells a story, with softer illustrative pictures little kiddos will enjoy.

[Rebeca Riffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl is excited to start school with her best friend Jenny, she hopes they sit next to each other in class. Plans change and Jenny does not end up being in the same class. So, she is forced to make a new friend and finds one quit fast. Little did she know her best friend Jenny befriended her twin.

[Triston Dutschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night Before First Grade is a great read for students. It talks about the anxieties and excitement before your first day of school. It goes through a girl and her friends moments leading up to the first day. It talks about creating friendships on the first day and showing their is nothing to be worried about.