My first day by Nic Naitanui. Illus. by Fátima Anaya

When Nic wakes up, Mum reminds him that today is his first day at school. There are new friends to meet and new games to play. But Nic is reluctant to get out of bed, he feels a little unsure. Even eating breakfast he asks his mother about the strangeness of this new place. She reminds him that they are very different from each other, they may look the same, but one likes to get up early, one likes to sleep in, one likes to cook and the other likes to eat. In the classroom, the teacher asks the children to tell Nic what they like doing. One likes to dance, one to grow things, one has a per fish, one a puppy. The teacher asks them what language they speak other than English, and there is a wide range again: French, Farsi, Malay, signing, and one just yells.

At lunchtime, the children share three lunches. And after play together. Back in the classroom, they illustrate the things they want to do when they are bigger. Again a whole range of things are chosen, underlining the differences between us all.

At the end of the day, the teacher ask them to sit down quietly and close their eyes, with everyone calm she thanks them for being patient and kind during the day.  Outside parents are waiting for their children, and they all go home, Nic looking forward to the next day, sleeping very well that night.

This is a charming story about a child’s first day at school, modelling the behaviour of mum in being encouraging, and of the teacher being inclusive and the students being calm, helpful and patient.

The rhyming lines encourage readers to predict the rhyming word, and the short stanzas are easy to listen to. A good read aloud story, children will eagerly identify with Nic, remembering their own first times, and sharing their concerns at the coming first day at school.

The bright full page illustrations will have wide appeal, showing a home, school and suburbs that are identifiable and known. These give a warmth to the story that is about a young person’s concerns, showing that the concerns are a minor part of a safe, happy, known environment. I love the small details: the very cute stuffed toy on Nic’s chest of drawers, the breakfast nook, the patterns on the rug, the range of people taking their children to school, the range of food being eaten and shared at lunchtime, the quiet time at the end of the day.

Themes: Diversity, First day at school, School, Family.

Fran Knight