School's First Day of School
By making the school building the nervous character, this book flips the perspective. It allows the child to step into the role of the comforter, which is a great way to help children who resist being reassured.
School's First Day of School by Adam Rex is estimated to take about 9.5 minutes to read aloud (852 words, about 3 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 4-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 9.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Estimated word count
- 852Our estimate
- Sentences per page
- 3Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 4-6Our editorial fit
Our review
It addresses the common fears of the first day of school by shifting the focus. When the building is the one worried about being liked, the child can take on the role of the caregiver.
This reversal is a clever psychological tool for kids who might roll their eyes at a parent's attempts to soothe them. It helps them process their own anxiety through a different lens.
Themes
- school
- perspective
- worry
- friendship
Books like School's First Day of School
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read School's First Day of School aloud?
About 9.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 852. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is School's First Day of School actually for?
Ages 4-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 3 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does School's First Day of School survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Will my child memorise School's First Day of School?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read School's First Day of School on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 3 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does School's First Day of School cover?
We tag it with school, perspective, worry and friendship. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
Lists School's First Day of School is on
50 reviewed booksBooks for 4 Year OldsA collection of 50 books for 4 year olds, including read-aloud times and word counts for stories with more developed plots.- 50 reviewed booksBooks for 5 Year OldsFind great books for 5 year olds, from favorite picture books to first chapter books. Includes estimated read-aloud times for quick planning.
13 reviewed booksPicture Books for 5 Year OldsCurated picture books for 5 year olds, including read-aloud times, word counts, and notes on which kids will enjoy them most.
8 reviewed booksFirst Day of School BooksHelpful first day of school books for children, featuring estimated read-aloud times and the specific anxieties each book addresses.
8 reviewed booksBooks About Starting KindergartenBooks about starting kindergarten, categorized by the specific worry they address: making friends, following rules, or being left.
10 reviewed booksBooks About Anxiety for PreschoolersHelp your child navigate worry with these picture books for ages 3-5. We've noted which books name feelings directly and their read-aloud times.