Common Sense Media Review
By Susan Faust
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A quirky and original back-to-school book with an alien.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
A class moves from Monday through Friday in THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL. Described are many lessons, activities, and events, including car pool drop-off and pick-up, show-and-tell, circle time, lunch, story time, free choice, STEM lab, PE, social studies, and a class party. Kids display many different budding talents and interests with focus on the Inventor (he is building a satellite-cum-time machine), the Artist (she is too shy to show her work), and the Sports Kings (an argumentative bunch). Foreshadowed by endpapers featuring celestial scenes, an alien named Nobody shows up as a new student and befriends the class pet Pat, a bearded dragon. Nobody also turns out to be quiet support to a couple of students trying to achieve their dreams. The teacher figures lightly in the story, sometimes rattled but mostly a positive presence as the class comes together for a new year.
Is It Any Good?
Kids launch into a new school year in this charming, quirky and original back-to-school picture book. The front cover of The First Week of School shows a class being photographed in front of their brick school building and hints at a surprise to come -- an alien peeks out of the back row. Candor and humor mesh as rough moments at school are acknowledged with kindness and comedy. The child-like art suggests a kids' point-of-view. They have real emotions in real situations, and they show growth even over such a short time. For the apprehensive, this book will assuage some of the usual misgivings about the new school year. For everyone, this book is a fun and fanciful foray into the real-life challenges of forging community and fulfilling individual dreams as a new school year begins. A clever twist at the end brings this refreshing and warm-hearted school story full circle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The First Week of School shows a class making the transition from summer to the new school year. What do you like about summer? What do you like about the school year? How is the transition for you?
The kids in the class exhibit many important character traits and skills around communication, curiosity, empathy, and perseverance. Which of these strengths do you have? What might you like to work on?
The kids in the class have many different interests and talents. Some are artistic, STEM-oriented, or athletic. Do you share any of these interests or talents? Do you have other interests or talents?
Do you like stories about aliens? Does Nobody seem real? How would you draw an alien?
Book Details
- Author: Drew Beckmeyer
- Illustrator: Drew Beckmeyer
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: STEM , Space and Aliens
- Character Strengths: Communication , Curiosity , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Atheneum Books For Young Readers
- Publication date: June 25, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: August 16, 2024
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