Rosemary Wells's story is a breath of fresh air and a soothing balm for a society that has become so success oriented. With her thumb firmly planted on the pulse of a child's psyche, she soothes young readers while encouraging them to persevere and discover their own Violets.

While some may consider the book a bit negative in its approach to school social life, Wells offers a realistic scenario. Only a minority of children become class superstars, and the emotional repercussions for the others is a very real issue. Young children nervous about entering school can benefit from this reassuring tale that reminds children (and their parents) that it's perfectly acceptable to be less than perfect.

Bright pastel colors and clean lines dominate the full-color illustrations. Framed by a thin blue line, Wells's artwork rounds out the text. Little touches, such as her subtle alterations in the shape of the character's eyes, convey depths of meaning, from Claude's rather snide sidelong glances to Timothy's anxious expressions.

One preschooler was enchanted with the cuddly characters, spending much time studying each picture. Observant readers are rewarded with many glimpses of beleaguered Violet in the background of many illustrations prior to her meeting with Timothy.

Another book useful for easing first-day worries is P. K. Hallinan's My First Day of School, and Linda Martin's When Dinosaurs Go to School is an upbeat, rhyming tale describing the average dinosaur's school day. Nancy Poydar's whimsical First Day, Hooray! proposes the astonishing concept that the members of the school faculty are just as anxious as a young girl, Ivy, about the start of school.