What a cute and imaginative book! Mr. Kalamazoo is clearly a great comfort to Max in new and unfamiliar situations. It's a funny little tale with a happy ending!

I am not sure about the message of this book.

Is it OK to be afraid of your first day in school? Definitely yes.
Is it OK to take along your fluffy friend to feel less nervous? Yes, sure.
Is it OK to scare everyone on the bus, make a mess in the classroom, and end up in the headmaster's office? I'm not sure.
Is it cool to make friends with someone who is also sent home and is waiting to be picked up by her parents? Well...

I liked the drawings, and understand the feelings of Max on the morning of the big day, but the solution offered by the book is not very clear to me.

First day jitters are the worse! Join Max and Mr. Kalamazoo as they tackle the first day of school together. It is hard not knowing anyone, it is hard coming to a new place. Little kids can experience BIG emotions and that is O.K.
Cute story about just how hard first days can be and how there is always a new day and new opportunity to do things differently and sometimes better!