Hurray! It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday and tomorrow is June!
What could be better?
I have a wonderful book to share today, and yes, it’s true that perhaps a book about the first day of school when we’re nearing the last day of school is a little out of order… 😊
But this book is too special not to be on Perfect Picture Books right now while I’m thinking about it! So get ready to enjoy!
Title: Butterflies On The First Day Of School
Written By: Annie Silvestro
Illustrated By: Dream Chen
Sterling Children’s Books, May 7, 2019, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-8
Themes/Topics: first day of school, nerves/anxiety
Opening: “A month before school, Rosie picked out her very first backpack. It was covered with flowers, and she loved it with all her heart.
She paraded around proudly. ‘Don’t worry,’ she told her sister, Emily. ‘Someday you’ll be big enough to go to school like me.’ ”
Brief Synopsis: Rosie can’t wait for her very first day of school, but when the big day arrives, she’s suddenly unsure. “Maybe I’d better stay home,” she tells her mom. But with gentle encouragement from her parents, she heads off to school and discovers that she is not the only one with butterflies in her tummy.
Links To Resources: Butterfly Activities for Preschoolers; 5 Circle Time Lessons About Emotion; pair with First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg and/or The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and/or Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
text copyright Annie Silvestro 2019, illustration copyright Dream Chen 2019
Why I Like This Book: This sweet story is one every young reader can relate to. Even if they don’t suffer a moment’s trepidation about going off to school, they are bound to have butterflies in their stomachs at some point about something! Grown-ups too 😊 I particularly loved how the butterflies were released, one or two at a time, as Rosie (and other characters in the story) bravely tried new things, their success allowing the butterflies to fly away. I won’t give away the lovely ending – you have to read it because it’s so perfect! I dare any mom not to get a little teary! 😊
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
This is such a beautiful and touching story; one that so many will be able to relate to.
I know, Maria, isn’t it wonderful? I can certainly relate – both from the child’s POV and the mom’s!
This looks like a good book! I’ve (haha) got butterflies in my stomach right now but that’s unfortunately due to a stomach bug!!!!
This looks a very cute book. And I remember very well my first day of school. I was soooo scared that I ran home before the lunch bell had gone. It was a long way home too, and poor Mum had to keep taking back for weeks after finally giving up and keeping me at home. She got a telling off by the headmaster at the time. But once my brother started school I was fine. I had someone with me. It can be quite scary. So I certainly relate.
It’s hard to think about starting school as the kids have just finished for this year, but it’s wonderful that this book is out and ready for all the kids who are about to start Kindergarten in a couple months.
Love it! Perfect timing for the new school, which will be here before we know it!
How imaginative and fun to turn that fluttery, nervous feeling into REAL butterflies! I have a feeling many children will relate to and enjoy this book.
I love, love, love this book! Those butterflies are such a beautiful metaphor for all of the mixed emotions kids feel when they first head off to school.
Butterflies… Mm-Hm. I ate one once. Not as delicious as I was hoping. Lucky the kids tried new things and let them out. Blerg…
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Oh yay! Annie Silvestro’s new book! I love this, Susanna…thanks for posting about it.
What sweet language. And I LOVE the illustrations. Thanks for sharing, Susanna!