We’re half-way through summer, and children everywhere are already starting to talk with dread about the approaching school year, although their parents usually mention it with glee. Starting a new year can be frightening, especially if you’ve never been to school before, and that’s where “I Am Not Going to School Today!” can be a big help.
Our hero gets ready for school the night before – he has his clothes laid out, his snack in his backpack, and his shoes ready, so in the morning he can just get ready and go. His parents come in to kiss him good night, but as he’s trying to go to sleep, he decides that this whole school thing is not a good idea.
He tells his parents all his reasoning when they get up the next morning. He won’t know anyone’s name, he won’t know where to put anything, and – probably the worst – he doesn’t know what kind of juice they have. His decision is made – he won’t be going. He should stay home and keep Hank, his stuffed monkey, company.
His parents ask him to get dressed, which he does, but then he scoots under the kitchen table. He’s really, really not going.
Finally Mom comes up with a compromise – he can take Hank to school with him. Somewhat mollified, although not completely, he agrees to go.
His new teacher is nice, and shows him where to put his things. Phew – that’s a relief. Then he learned everyone’s names, and where the bathrooms were, and – they had orange juice. Maybe this wouldn’t be so terrible after all.
As long as Hank comes with him, he thinks he’ll be just fine.
This is a good book for children who are nervous about starting school – it shows them that they will have the chance to learn where everything is, that their teachers will have their best interests in mind, and that it can be a whole lot of fun, too.
(This book was published in 2003 by Simon and Schuster, and was illustrated by Jan Ormerod.)
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