Batter Up for the First Day of School!

PreS-Gr 1–It’s the first day of school at Grand Slam Elementary and twins Hank and Erin, both with light skin and brown curly hair, are eager to go. They wake up cheerfully in their baseball-themed bedroom, while their parents radiate the enthusiastic energy of supportive fans. Hegedus’s inventive game announcer narration increases the anticipation: “The Twins are off to a sluggish start. And here they come…with a bit more pep in their step…and they are ready for some fuel!” At Grand Slam Elementary, designed to replicate a baseball stadium, Hank and Erin meet their teacher, who plays the role of a coach. The class huddles for an overview of the dugout rules before starting their school day innings, which include art, spelling, lunch, and recess. Will Hank and Erin’s first day of school be a home run? Reminiscent in style to his book Coqui in the City, Perez again digitally paints colorful illustrations, which are bright and uplifting. Endpapers are scattered with mitts, helmets, foam fingers, and pennants against a vibrant yellow-green background. Hegedus and Perez are a winning team, hyping up young readers for their own first day of school. Intent on positivity, anxious feelings about starting school are not addressed, leaving that experience to be tackled in other stories about the first day of school.