Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In Vera's First Day of School by Vera Rosenberry, the heroine, in her seventh adventure, moves and must start over in October at a new school. After a rough start, a new friend helps to ease her transition (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-In this addition to the series, Vera enters a new school after a family move. From drawing the wrong kind of picture in art class, to being either ignored or teased by her classmates, to being bitten all over by red ants, the girl's first day is disastrous. In the end, however, she makes a new friend. This book is anything but reassuring, and it is not realistic in its portrayal of a typical first day. For example, instead of being escorted to her room and properly introduced to the teacher and class, Vera is handed a note with a name and room number. Her teacher makes no obvious effort to help her feel comfortable, such as encouraging her to introduce herself or assigning a buddy. And it's highly unlikely that an art teacher would instruct the children to draw their favorite pets without ascertaining whether or not they have pets. Vera's first day is so disturbing largely due to the ineptitude of the school's personnel, an unfortunate message to give to children. Although the plot is fast moving and the watercolor illustrations are expressive, the story does nothing to allay the fears that youngsters in this situation might be experiencing.-Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.