Sumi's First Day of School Ever

Pak, Soyung. Sumi’s First Day of School Ever. Illustrated by Joung Un Kim. Viking, 2003. 32 pages. $15.99, ISBN 0-670-03522-X    

AGE LEVEL
3 and 4 year-olds

GENRE
Picture book

REVIEW
Sumi is a young Korean immigrant and it’s her first day of school in America. Her feeling of not knowing how to act in this new environment upon entering the classroom and an incident of teasing from a classmate at first lead her to believe that school is "scary" and "mean".  But her mood quickly improves based on kind treatment from her teacher and another classmate's interest in starting a friendship.  This book is a great choice for three and four year-olds who are hesitant about starting preschool or who have already had a bad experience and need encouragement.  The painted illustrations in washes of green, yellow, and blue are uncomplicated in style, yet convey Sumi's emotions well through facial expression and body posture.  The story is told in a matter of fact and easy-to-follow style, and the inclusion of Sumi's thoughts is a nice component.  Most children will identify with something in this very appealing book.

LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
Here is a simple getting-to-know-each-other song to sing after reading this book aloud at preschool storytime, and to start off subsequent storytimes:

          HERE WE SIT TOGETHER

          Here we sit together, together, together.
          Here we sit together, all here on the floor.
          There's _____ and _____ and _____ etc...   (each child says their name)
          Here we sit together, all here on the floor.