Picture Day Jitters

by Julie Danneberg, Judy Love (Illustrator)

In this installment of the best-selling, classroom classic Jitters series, it's not the first day, but it is picture day, and Mrs. Hartwell wants her students looking their best.

The class photo is scheduled for the end of the day—can everyone's favorite teacher, Sarah Jane Hartwell, keep them looking neat and tidy? She has the jitters again! Mrs. Hartwell is determined to keep her students looking perfect for their school pictures. This means no chalk at recess, no experiments during science, and eating lunch in the classroom instead of the cafeteria. Bo-ring! By the end of the day, the students look their best, but their smiles are missing. Mrs. Hartwell lets them cut loose after their individual photos are taken, forgetting that the class photo is still to come!

A funny and heartwarming addition to the beloved series that reminds readers that everyone gets the jitters!

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

32 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2022

Reviews

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture day at my schools has always tried to be finished up before lunchtime. Teachers also tried to help the kids look their best just like in the book. I didn’t know this was part of a series, lots of teacher always requested the first day jitters book. I thinks fans of the first book will like it but I’ve seen cuter, more appealing picture day books.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to our succinct Goodreads Blurber, this story provides:

"A funny and heartwarming addition to the beloved series that reminds readers that everyone gets the jitters!"

Fair enough. In this picture book for elementary school kids, the main problem is School Picture Day. The teacher, Mrs. Hartwell wants to help her pupils to look their best.

Right before the end of the store, there's a cute little plot twist. Heartwarming!

FIVE STARS for an entertaining story by Julie Danneberg, with fantastically lively-and-lovely illustrations by Judy Love.

MOST IMPORTANT

This book is titled as though it's about worrying. Fortunately, beneath the publisher's packaging is a much more interesting story, at least to this Goodreads Reviewer.

I really appreciate how different this book is from the many picture books about kids as performers. Also different from stories about self-absorbed little girls who dress up constantly.

This is a story about real kids. More matters about them than whether or not they look perfect.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Charlesbridge through Picture Book Palooza.
Danneberg returns to Mrs. Hartwell's class for another interesting day. It's picture day and the classmates arrive looking extra special. However, their photos are not until the end of the day. Readers will appreciate the efforts involved in staying neat all day. In the end, their class photo captures exactly who they are. Danneberg writes with humor and an awareness of the reality of classrooms. Love this series.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book in the Jitters series when Mrs. Hartwell's class is scheduled to have class pictures later in the day. She is worried about the kids getting dirty or messed up before they can get a nice photo. This book has lots of drama and silly moments throughout. There are colorful and fun illustrations that will capture kids' attention. This would make a great read-aloud. Highly recommended for Grades K-3.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book reminds me of another author who writes this way, Patricia Polacco. I feel this teacher's pain having to wait till late in the day to have the class picture done and keep everyone neat and looking their best for the photo. Is pretty accurate story of picture day successes and failures.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture day jitters is something every student and teacher in school can get. Mrs. Hartwell tries everything she can to make sure her students look “picture-perfect” She soon realizes that they are “picture-perfect” just the way they are.

[Lexie Hilliard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit worried about the message the book sends throughout when she keeps trying to fix them so they look their best. However, the message at the end reverses all of this and they all (including the teacher) learn the lesson that we are perfect in our “everyday looks.”

[Dedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predictable, but fun. This will be a great read-aloud for picture day.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this book that reminds us that not everything in life needs to be picture perfect to be just right

I read a digital advanced reader's copy from the publisher

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an eARC courtesy of Charlesbridge Publishing in exchange for my honest review.