Not exactly earth-shattering, this shows a child on his first day at school, but the piece underplays his doubts about enjoying it – it's a few pages in when we really understand his comment about not staying, as if it's a temporary burden on a couple of hours of his day. Still, he shows he has the right friendliness, cooperation and creativity to fit right in, he takes a lot of clothes off (don't ask), and all is well in the end. It is a very early reader for someone who has doubts about enjoying school, but I can't see it firmly shining in that category. Except for the fact there is a bilingual edition, with the whole thing in Spanish as well as the English – that might be what is needed to distinguish this. Three and a half stars.

This book was given to me through Netgalley for my honest review. I want to thank Netgalley, the Author, and the Publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

As a parent this would have been an amazing book for me to have for my kids when they were first starting pre-k and kindergarten. They were always so nervous when it came to the first day of school and I think that this would have been a great story to read the first day of school. To see a little boy like them not want to take off his coat because his dad would be coming back but slowly taking off his winter clothes because he got more and more comfortable throughout the day with friends of his own.

Adorable book! This book was amazingly age appropriate for kids that are experiencing their first *first* day of school. I think that this book will definitely dispel any "first-day jitters" that little ones might be feeling. Part of what makes that result possible is the simple, real, and engaging. I was interested in Jacob's story from start to finish, and his first day is definitely accurate to what other kids' first days might look like. Put simply, readers will be able to relate to Jacob and will strive to have fun at school just like he did. This also accentuates the power of making friends and meeting new people, and will encourage kids to go out of the comfort zones and talk to new people at school. Lastly, the illustrations were beautifully crisp and simplistic, complementing the story and the writing well.
Bravo!

Cute little story, an essential read for toddlers about to enter preschool. I liked how the book detailed in simple terms what the kids should expect on their first day, and the various activities that they might do at school. I also found the way little Jacob was shedding his outerwear as he felt more and more at ease quite poetic.
Oh and bonus point for the inclusivity.

Thank you NetGalley and Star Bright Books for providing this e-arc for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Four-year-old Jacob goes to his first day of preschool. But he thinks it should be a short visit, so he doesn’t bother removing his coat, scarf, hat or mittens! But Jacob’s kind fellow student Lara make him feel happy to be at school. This wonderful picture book has a fabulous message, sure to prove reassuring to anxious children about to go to school. And Yael Weinroth’s illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Miriam Cohen’s words.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Star Bright Books in exchange for an honest review.

I teach 4s preschool and I loved how this book approached the very common issue of a child being nervous their first day of school and not wanting to stay.

As the day goes on, they slowly warm up a bit more and more and realize it is a safe place to be. This book would be great for the first week of school and helping students recognize that those feelings are common.

Thank you to NetGalley and Star Bright Books for allowing me to review a copy of this book.