Shy Robin and the First Day of School

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Author(s)

Jaime Kim

Publisher

Candlewick Press

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

June 13, 2023

ISBN

978-1536209297

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A little hippo finds that looking out for a new friend can turn shyness into bravery in Jaime Kim’s sweetly illustrated story about the first day of school.

Mom always calls Robin a big, brave hippo, but on the first day of school she just wants to hide. Even though Mom gives her a pretty purple headband to make her feel confident, as soon as she enters the classroom she retreats to a safe, quiet corner. Before long, Robin spies a young otter named Marco who is wearing purple bracelets and who seems even quieter and more timid than she is. And when Marco falters while trying to say his name aloud to the class, Robin discovers that her voice can be strong when coming to a new friend’s aid. Might Marco do the same if she needed help? In a gentle story threaded with the familiar moments of a first school experience—seen through the eyes of a child for whom they can be more intimidating than most—Jaime Kim captures the warmth of finding a new friend and the ways that connection can make us all more courageous, no matter how shy we feel.

Editor review

1 review

Sweet School Story

September 03, 2023

Overall rating

3.5

Plot

3.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

The first day of school often brings out the nervous jitters in children, and Robin the Hippo is no exception. We are first introduced to Robin at home, where she is loud and playful. When the first day of school rolls around, we see a very different Robin. She is shy. Robin's mom gifts her a beautiful purple headband to wear to school. Robin makes friends with a shy otter who wears purple bracelets. When Robin's headband goes missing, Marco the Otter jumps in to help find it.

What I Liked: The illustrations of the animals are adorable and engaging. I liked that despite Robin and Marco being shy, they both stepped out of their comfort zones to help one another. It was a great example of what a good friend would do.

Though there are many picture books already written about the first day of school, there is always room for another sweet story that shows even a shy child can be brave when needed.