First Day
By Joan Rankin
Margaret K. McElderry Books, $16.95
32 pages, ISBN 0689845634

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REVIEW BY JAN SMITH

Over the years I've seen busloads of books about the first day of school and the fear it often provokes, but Joan Rankin's First Day is truly a fresh take on a timeless subject. This book is chockfull of fun, understanding, charming illustrations and, thankfully, originality—no small feat when it comes to such a popular subject.

The story centers on Haybillybun and his mom and dad, a pair of lovable dogs ready to send their son off to his first day at Yappy Puppy Play School. On the big day, the youngster wakes up terrified, fearful of everything, including the fact that his name suddenly seems impossibly long and complicated. He decides that from now on he should simply be called "Bun." Once at school he is introduced to his classmates, kids with names like Willywobbleknees, Pipsqueaker and Ellajellybrolly. These words alone are likely to provide kids with lasting laughs, but First Day offers more than just silly names. South African resident Rankin has created a lovely watercolor world with pastel tones and humorous details, like the decorative dog bones pinned atop mama dog's hat. Every now and then she adds an extra dose of visual interest by varying the size of the type. She puts significant words like "rescue" and "ding-dong" in big, bold letters, and curves text up and around the page as mom and son make their way through their village to school.

Rankin's characters abound with personality and emotion: take a look at Haybillybun's eyes as he sees his new teacher and classmates for the first time; watch his mother's back as she trudges home after dropping him off, her sagging shoulders conveying her immense loneliness and worry.

There's a special moment when First Day takes a delightful twist. Instead of watching Haybillybun adjust to his new school, as most books on this subject do, we follow Mom home. She tends to her household chores, but becomes mournful at the sight of her son's bed and teddy bear. She clutches his teddy and decides that her baby "is much too small to be away from home," so she heads back to school to spy on him.

Of course, Haybillybun is by now having a grand old time, and both mom and son end the day full of happiness and well-being with this new, scholarly state of affairs. First Day is bound to bring comfort and joy to any young student or student-to-be.