The Family Bookshelf
By Bob Walch

"Off to First Grade"
(McElderry Books) by Louise Borden, Illustrated by Joan Rankin. 

The Audience: This book is not only perfect for a child about to actually start first grade but it will work well with preschoolers also. It would be a good idea to actually read this story with younger children so that by the time they are ready for school, the issue of the first day has already been defused. (40 pages)

The Issue: Addresses a child's possible fear of entering the first grade.

The Content: Everyone is getting ready for the opening day of school. Each of the soon-to-be first graders has different expectations and different worries. What will the teacher be like? Will the bus driver leave them behind? How many other kids will be in the class?

Organized in an alphabetical format, you'll discover the "stories" of a number of adults and children from Anna, who looks forward to reading a zillion books, to Mr. Zimmerman, the principal, who likes to read to the children and talk to parents.

Yoshi thinks he would rather be back in kindergarten but, nevertheless, is ready for first grade. Xavier the bus driver tells the children the first day is always terrific because it is "a new beginning".  First grade teacher Mrs. Miller is all set to start the year and has prepared 23 name tags for her new students.

The Message: Starting school can be a scary experience but this picture book will help parents make that first day a little less frightening. Young readers will find someone to identify with as this class of youngsters deals with the excitement, nerves and anticipation that accompany the first day of first grade.

Before retiring from the classroom, Bob Walch taught English in Santa Barbara and Carmel for 39 years. His reviews of children's literature appear in Central Coast newspapers and online at the Reading Tub, Roundtable Reviews and My Shelf.