Parents' Guide to

First Grade Dropout

By Jan Carr, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Boy burns with embarrassment in hilarious, relatable tale.

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In this funny, very human story, a boy wonders how to save face after humiliating himself: He called his teacher "Mommy," and everyone erupted into laughter, including his best friend. Burning with shame, the boy considers wild plans to undo the damage involving magic, time travel, and dropping out of school. But when he again runs into his best friend, the friend doesn't ridicule him and makes a slip of his own. Cordell's appealingly scribbly art, reminiscent of master cartoonists such as Jules Feiffer and Quentin Blake, slyly underscores the humor. One hilarious spread shows a marching band with all the marchers laughing, the word "Mommy" emblazoned across their band hats. Perfect for talking about mistakes and dealing with embarrassment.

Book Details

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