Mae's First Day of School

PreS-K-When Mae wakes up on the first day of school she announces to her parents that she will not be going. Her unrelenting parents get her out of the house and all the way to the schoolyard; but the moment her mother's back is turned, Mae makes her escape up a tree. Sitting there in the shady branches she considers never going to school, maybe even never leaving the tree. She is quite surprised when another small person named Rosie climbs up and announces that she will not be going to school either. The two share some cookies and it becomes clear that they're afraid of the same things. It takes the arrival of a third unexpected tree climber, a tall lady named Ms. Pearl, to convince them all to venture into kindergarten. The text is lighthearted but realistic and the mixed media illustrations show a bright, beautiful day while Mae's prominent scowl and obstinate expression contrasts excellently with her mother's happy exuberance. Best of all, the story doesn't trivialize Mae and Rosie's fears and takes time to affirm the bravery necessary to take a big step such as going to school for the first time.