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Best of all, you’ll make new friends at school, maybe even a
new best friend, but be careful what you ask for. In the new
book First Day at Zoo School by Sarah Dillard,
Alfred’s new BFF is B-A-D.
Mrs. Wattles had the seats lined up and her blackboard was
clean. It was the first day of Zoo School, and she was eager
to welcome her new students.
Amanda Panda was ready for school. She was excited because
there were so many possibilities for this year. But
Alfred Alligator wasn’t sure. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to
go to school. He just didn’t see the reason.
Amanda didn’t see something else when she got to Zoo School
on that first day: she didn’t see a best friend. Everybody
else had one, so she clearly needed one, too.
Then she spotted Alfred standing all by himself.
Here was the best friend that Amanda always wanted! They
could sit together, right up in front of the class. They
could eat lunch together every single day and maybe
even share what was in their lunch bags. They’d be a team
for every game. They’d walk home together at the end of
every day. It would be awesome fun!
But Alfred wasn’t having any of that. He hated sitting up
front in class. He tried to hide from Amanda at lunchtime,
but it didn’t work. She even made him play a game that
she wanted to play, even though he didn’t like it.
This best friend idea was the WORST. Alfred didn’t need all
that, and he didn’t need Amanda telling him what to do. He
was NOT her best friend, and he told her so – and then he
felt bad. He never meant to hurt Amanda’s feelings. How
could he make things better?
That first day of school is always scary – for you and for
your child. But you can smooth the way with a cute little
book like First Day at Zoo School.
Every class, it seems, has at least one overeager student
and author Sarah Dillard captured this one perfectly. Your
child will clearly see that Amanda Panda has good intentions
but Alfred Alligator isn’t so sure about them, which may
help children learn that they’ll meet all kinds of people in
school. The humor in this situation also takes some of the
scare out of First-Day Jitters, and the hilarious (even to
adults) illustrations will make you both giggle.
Kindergarteners-to-be and newly-minted First Graders will
enjoy this tale; it may become a favorite, even later in the
semester. For them, or for any child who’s changing to a new
school and is nervous about it, First Day at Zoo School
will be a big hit. |
