Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Boy paddles down Mekong River in stunning journey to school.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As MY FIRST DAY begins, a boy is getting ready for school on the steps of his house on a river. He loads his books in his little wooden boat, puts on his backpack and sets off, steering with his one paddle. "This is the first time I've made this trip on my own, weaving through floodwaters and forests. Mama said I'm big enough now to go by myself." He first encounters waves, then wind and rain, floats through a mangrove forest, passes an alligator, eels, schools of fish, storks in the sky, and a group of water buffaloes before meeting up with his schoolmates on their own boats as they veer toward the school building on the shore.
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully illustrated picture book takes readers along on an incredible, exciting river trip to school. The lush art is exquisite, and the spare text on each spread is poetic. "The sky is a crayon box full of colors for me to take flight -- grow my own wings -- a dance of storks and new worlds"; "The jungle calls your name, asks you to be brave./ Still, fear slithers in like a python."
This exceptional look at the first-day-of-school experience reminds kids that all different kinds of kids go to school in all different kinds of places around the world. Getting to school alone is another big first for our hero. Besides being a captivating read, My First Day may open young readers' minds to how some kids in Vietnam live and learn.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the boy gets to school in My First Day. How do you get to school? Do you see any animals or birds on your journey to school?
As the boy floats his wooden boat through the mangrove forest, he notes, "The mangroves hide a thousand eyes, all looking at me." Whose eyes do you think they are? Would you be scared going through a forest in the dark? How does the boy find the courage to keep on going?
Which picture in the book is your favorite? Why?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrators : Phùng Nguyên Quang , Huynh Kim Liên
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Ocean Creatures , Wild Animals ) , STEM
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Make Me A World
- Publication date : February 16, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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