Raven's First Day

Being the new kid is never easy—especially when all you want is to disappear.

After a big move and an even bigger family change, Raven finds herself starting over at V.J. Elementary. Her plan is simple: stay quiet, don’t make eye contact, and survive the day. But hiding is hard when everyone seems to notice you—even the glowing firefly named Finn, the popular Willow, the loud raccoon Ziggy, and the cool but distant Shelly.

They all seem like they’ve got it figured out.

But as Raven observes her new classmates, she realizes that everyone is hiding something—and no one is exactly what they seem on the outside.

Raven’s First Day is a gently told, beautifully illustrated chapter book about anxiety, belonging, and the quiet courage it takes to feel seen. It’s the first book in The Survival Guide of the Awkward Critters, a series where readers experience the same school day from the eyes of different characters, each carrying their own unseen struggles.

Perfect for readers ages 7–16, this story offers comfort, validation, and hope to anyone who’s ever felt awkward, shy, or out of place.

Because sometimes… being awkward is just part of growing up.