First Day Critter Jitters
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
First-day-of-school jitters have never been funnier or more reassuring than in this picture book by the New York Times bestselling author Jory John and critically acclaimed illustrator Liz Climo
It's almost the first day of school, and the animals are nervous. Sloth worries about getting there on time, snake can't seem to get his backpack fastened onto his body, and bunny is afraid she'll want to hop around instead of sitting still. When they all arrive at their classroom, though, they're in for a surprise: Somebody else is nervous too. It's their teacher, the armadillo! He has rolled in as a ball, and it takes him a while to relax and unfurl. But by the next day, the animals have all figured out how to help one another through their jitters. School isn't so scary after all.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The creators of Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? present another spry animal tale, commingling comedy and counsel while showcasing a passel of creatures braving the first day of school. Wryly and endearingly depicted in text and simplified art, each critter has a solid reason to be trepidatious: a sloth frets that it won't get to school on time ("I probably should have left yesterday"); a snake futilely spent the whole night trying to strap on its backpack ("Guess what: It didn't work, dude"); a joey misses its mom's comforting pouch; and a hibernating bear resists leaving its bed ("Can't I just dream about school, instead?"). Delivered in hand-lettered speech balloons, the animals' pithy reactions reflect each species' proclivities while deftly zeroing in on common childhood anxieties. John inserts an unforeseen foible into the mix (the armadillo teacher is equally nervous) before bringing the story to a reassuring and rewarding close. Ages 4 8.
