Published by Dial Books

Summary:  “We say BOOK, you say BAG…BOOK! BAG! BOOK! BAG! We say NAME, you say TAG…NAME! TAG! NAME! TAG! Raise your hands and move your feet.  That’s the spirit, find your seat.”  This call and response rhyming book shows a diverse group of kids and teachers enjoying the first day of school, from finding seats to eating lunch to making friends.  Students get a tour of different areas of the school, including the cafeteria, playground, gym, and bus at the end of the day.  “We’ve got class from start to end.  That’s a promise…find a friend.”  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  Kids will find it just about impossible to not get caught up in the excitement of the first day with this fun interactive book.  The call and response throughout the story is sure to draw in even the shyest new kindergartener.  A great addition to the back-to-school picture book list.

Cons:  Those who subscribe to the “don’t smile before Thanksgiving” school of teaching may want to look elsewhere for a first-day-of-school book.