Cover Image: Emily D. and the Frightful First Day

Emily D. and the Frightful First Day

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Member Reviews

This is a story of overcoming fear, and it is precious. Emily D. is so nervous on her first day, but when she learns that her classroom isn't that scary and the others kids are nice, she finally makes some friends and is able to be excited moving forward. Great message and wonderful illustrations.

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Emily shares a list of her fears about the first day of school and why she doesn’t want to go. She then goes to school and soon realizes it isn’t so bad after all and actually has fun. This is a great book for any child that is worried about the first day especially if they have been in school before. Emily talks about her fears between last year and this year. The illustrations are bright and well done. My daughter and I loved this book.

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This book is brilliant. I think it's a must read for children before they start school or at the beginning of a new school year. A story about Emily who was feeling scared and worried about school as she wasn't going to be with her friend or teacher. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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It's normal for kids to be nervous when starting the first day of school. In this book Emily is anxious for the unknown. She won't know anyone and she's used to the daily routine from last year's class. What she doesn't realize is that she's not alone and her classmates feel the same way. This is a charming book to read with your little ones before they start school, to help ease the same nerves and questions they may have as Emily. Loved the colorful illustrations as well.

Thank you Netgalley and Darcie Rowan PR, Amitz Press for the opportunity to read this book.

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I am kind of dreading admitting it, but it's back to school time ya'll. Yesterday, we spent the day getting school physicals, shopping for supplies and getting back-to-school haircuts. So, it seems like the perfect time to share about this picture book, Emily D and The Fearful First Day by Sivan Hong.⁣⁣
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This adorable picture book is all about the first day of school and now is the perfect time to start reading it with your preschoolers and elementary age kiddos of any grade, especially after the chaos that COVID wrecked on the school schedules & consistency last year.⁣⁣
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The message of this book is to show kids how to overcome emotional challenges, like a first day of school, and can be especially helpful for kiddos who are anxious, worried or just unsure about school.⁣⁣
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I love picture books for helping to prepare my kiddos for new experiences and this one is full of adorable illustrations

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This is a nice story to ease transition each year about moving to a new class each year. It only addresses the positives though and would've been better with a few more examples of working through each worry. Nevertheless, not a bad book - worth looking at if you have a school anxious child.

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As back to school approaches this book has found its place in our home at the right time. We read about Emily D. and her first day jitters. My littlest loved the story. It is simply written and clearly shows how some children have fears about the first day of school. But it also shows how that even though things are different they will be okay. Reading this out loud allowed my 3rd grader to voice some of her fears. The illustrations were bold and nicely done. Over all I think this would be a great addition to any classroom, definitely an ice breaker! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

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The first day of school is nervous for everyone. Emily D and Frightful First Day is a colorful and engaging book for any child facing fears about the first day of school, new class etc. This would be a great read for children 2-6 years. This book demonstrates how to overcome the anxiety of those first days of school.

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This is a cute, descriptive book that deals with back to school anxiety. I liked how it showed different ways that the main character could feel better about school such as going in early and playing with fidget toys. The illustrations were nice also!

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Emily is scared for the first day of school. Her parents say it is going to be fun but she doubts it. The illustrations are effective and simple for this age group to understand. The story teaches children that it is okay for change and you are not alone because many kids go through this same scenario. I recommend this book to the age group from 2 to 5 years old. I give this book five stars.

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Emily D. and the Frightful First Day is a delightful book explaining to children that it is ok to be nervous on the first day of school and that they are not alone in their feelings. It is supported by super cute illustrations

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

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Beginning a new school year can be very scary. Anticipating the first day can bring butterflies in the stomach, unbridled anxiety and lots of apprehension. "Emily D. and the Frightful First Day" is an important story to share if your child is feeling overwhelmed with thoughts of "the unknown"transition as a new school year begins.

Emily's mom encourages her by telling her that it will be exciting to tackle and conquer a brand new year while her dad sums it up as an adventure. Emily isn't buying it. She's consumed with worry and fear.

Emily goes through a list of reasons why she is feeling like she does and I am sure a lot of kids (and adults) can identify with them. It is not easy to leave the familiar, comfortable things you appreciate and enjoy and step out into the unknown. Change can be difficult to wrap your head and heart around. Will Emily be able to overcome her fears and bravely take on her new challenges?

This is the 3rd book in the "Super Fun Day Books" series. The collection deals with overcoming difficult feelings and kids can learn that change is okay and a part of life. It's comforting that they are not alone feeling the way they do and that other kids often feel exactly the same way. Kids learn a valuable life lesson: you can be scared and brave at the same time. I love the book and highly recommend it.

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This is really a sweet, necessary book! Change is hard. I love the integration of the cognitive behavior therapy in the text. I use that with my oldest a lot for school issues. Perfect illustrations, too!

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Emily D. has anxiety about going back to school. She has 5 good reasons, including summer is fun. Sometimes new things are hard, but we can do them with support.

As an educator, I would recommend this book for a family who has a child who is anxious about school. This book would also be great for a school open house.

Thank you to NetGalley and Darcy Rowan PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I always appreciate books about the first day of school. Having two children myself, they can be hard days, but books like this help normalize that feeling and give the kids tools when they encounter these situations. The illustrations could use some improvement, but the message is great!

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We read this book with my son to help him ease his fears of the first day of school after being virtual this year.

Because he just started school this year, he has no experience going into a school building. As he becomes a first grader next year, he is experiencing anxiety over going to school for the first time, so this book provided us with a great opportunity to ease his fears.

The story focuses on Emily's first day of school and the fears she has about it. The book provides great examples about what a child can expect during their first day of school and focuses on the positives. Overall, an enjoyable read and it helped my son to see the good things that come with the first day of school. We'll be rereading the book as his first day of school approaches.

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I was interested in this book as a mother of two young girls who have both struggled with change on day to day routine and my eldest who has childhood anxiety. This book being written by a special needs parent really comes across as they touch on Emily's struggle with meeting a new teacher, having a new schedule and not being able to sleep due to nerves.

I also found it really interesting that she simplicity of the words and the pictures was due to studies that say that children with certain learning difficulties don't handle 'busier' or more detailed illustrations.

A very great resource for those with children who might be struggling.

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This story is about Emily who is worried about the first day of her school. Her parents say it will be fun, exciting and adventurous but she doubts it. Emily gives the top 5 reasons why she thinks the first day will not be adventurous as her parents say.

The first day of school means a lot of change in her schedule. She will miss her friend, her teacher, her timetable, her classroom from last year and so on. But she eventually learns that the change can be good and fun too.

The story shows how children feel about the first day of their school and their emotions which are shown brilliantly. It helps children to understand that the change can be good for them and helps them to be brave and courageous and develop positivity.

The illustrations are brilliant and the writing too is simple. This is a perfect book for kids who are starting their new class to let go of their nervousness. It's a really good book and highly recommended.

Thanks Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Very simple, easy to read book that is perfect for any child nervous about starting school, or starting in a new class.
Such a lovely book!

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Sivan Hong does it again!

We meet yet another anxious child that is about to make a school related transition. This time, rather than starting school, they are changing classes and will be in a class with other kids they don't know.

The book is marketed as a story about a child that has additional needs but what I love about Hong's stories is that the child is no different from any other that has fears about change; additional needs or otherwise. Emily takes us through her list of why she doesn't want to endure her first day. She then takes us to school and shows us why actually, there is nothing to fear after all and that despite the differences, some things remain the same too.

Emily D and the Frightful First Day gets a 5/5 stars for keeping with its series theme, presenting a vibrant, colourful and illustrated story about a common experience and its attempt to stay young minds that have concerns about change. The language used is childlike and relatable to the target audience and would serve as a good preparation for transitioning to Reception/ Year 1 or following a move to a new area.

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