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Julie Danneberg
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First Day Jitters (The Jitters Series) Paperback – Picture Book, February 1, 2000

by Julie Danneberg (Author), Judy Love (Illustrator)
4.8 out of 5 stars 7,834 ratings
Teachers' pick
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THE BESTSELLING KIDS PICTURE BOOK: Calm first day of school anxiety with this classic back to school book that reminds students K-3 that everyone gets the jitters!

Ink-and-watercolor illustrations and a “funny and insightful” story make this a teacher-approved classroom read aloud (Booklist)!

Sarah Jane Hartwell has that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach—she’s nervous and doesn’t want to start a new school year. She doesn’t know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it.

With a little convincing from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly heads to class. Shy at first, she’s quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton and is reminded that everyone at school gets the jitters sometimes.

A beloved and bestselling back to school picture book, Sarah Jane’s relatable story and surprise ending will delight kindergarteners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders who are anxious about their first day of school.

Includes a Certificate of Courage for First Day Completion and a First Day Memories Sheet!
Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    5 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Part of series
    The Jitters
  3. Print length
    32 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  6. Lexile measure
    AD520L
  7. Dimensions
    8 x 0.1 x 10 inches
  8. Publisher
    Charlesbridge
  9. Publication date
    February 1, 2000
  10. ISBN-10
    158089061X
  11. ISBN-13
    978-1580890618
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From the Publisher

Everyone gets the Jitters sometimes!
"Funny and insightful"–Booklist
A happy dog holding a lunchbox in his mouth

First Day (and All Year Round) Icebreakers!

1. Put students in pairs. Each student must tell their partner about a time they were nervous. Once students are finished discussing, go around the room and ask students to describe their partner’s experience.

2. Trace every student in the class on roll paper using a black marker. On one side of the body, have students write some of their favorite things. On the other side, have students write their goals for the year. Students can also color and decorate the outline of their body. Then hang up the projects and discuss.

3. Play team charades with scary situations! Write down a bunch of nerve-wracking moments (flying in a plane, meeting someone new, giving a speech, etc.) on notecards and shake them up in a hat. Divide the class into two teams; each team will take turns to send two actors to the front. The first team to guess the situation wins a point. After each charade, brainstorm coping mechanisms with the class.

Check out the Jitters series!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-Sarah is hiding under her covers as Mr. Hartwell asks, "You don't want to miss the first day at your new school do you?" From under the blanket she replies, "I'm not going." When he reminds her how much she liked her other school and asks her to think of all the new friends she'll meet, she imagines a classroom where a paper airplane is flying, a boy is pulling his neighbor's pigtail, and another is blowing a gigantic bubble. Mr. Hartwell finally gets Sarah to stumble out of bed, eat a bit of toast, and get into the car where she slumps down into her seat. At school, the principal cheerfully welcomes her and takes her to the classroom where she is introduced as "Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell," the new teacher. There is a bit of foreshadowing that Sarah is an adult, but as she is always partially hidden, the ending will come as a surprise to most readers. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations are full of action and maintain the lighthearted tone. A little subplot in the paintings shows the family cat and dog having their own contest of wills while their owner is trying to get his wife up and out. The joke provides a good laugh and children may find it reassuring that they are not alone in their anxieties about new situations.
Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Every child who has moved to a new school or is simply reluctant to start a school year can identify with this wittily drawn and suspensefully told story. From the moment she awakens on the fateful day to the moment she steps into the classroom, Sarah Hartwell imagines the worst. Love's ink-and-watercolor illustrations add humor to Sarah's fears, which range from bratty kids to a police search when she doesn't show up. Mr. Hartwell's reassurances don't seem to be much help. The pictures mirror the jangled nerves and outsize expectations (the double-page spread of a looming, prisonlike school is priceless) everyone faces when they are new, all of which leads to a nifty surprise ending that is a delight. Funny and insightful."—Booklist

"First Day Jitters which was written by Julie Danneberg and illustrated by Judy Love, makes a great companion book to Wemberly Worried. In the opening pages, we meet a certain Sarah Jane Hartwell, who's in the midst of her own first-day-of-school-related panic attack. Sarah Jane is buried under her covers so far that you can't even see her face. In fact, you have no idea what she looks like until the very last page of the whimsical book, which suddenly delivers a sly and funny twist..."—Newsweek

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Charlesbridge; Illustrated edition (February 1, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 158089061X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1580890618
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD520L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.1 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 7,834 ratings

About the author

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Julie Danneberg

Julie Danneberg

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Please check my website at www.juliedanneberg.com.

As a child, when I played at being grown-up, I never imagined myself as a writer. Instead I dreamed of being a famous chef, a secret agent, or a psychologist. I didn't end up becoming any of those things. Instead, I became a teacher.

I started off as an elementary school teacher, and thanks to my job, read lots and lots and lots of children's books. Not only was it fun, I witnessed, first hand the profound impact a good book can have on a child. It didn't take long before I was motivated to try and write books like the ones I enjoyed reading.

Later, when I became a mother, I began to seriously consider becoming a writer during our weekly trips to the library with my children. I think I enjoyed story time more than they did! The funny thing is that my kids eventually graduated from the children's section of the library and I never did. I still go to the library at least once a week, and while I don't sit in on story time anymore, I do leave every week with an armload of picture books.

Looking back I see how being a children's writer has helped me bring together many of my interests—teaching, traveling, and being creative.

After several years of teaching elementary school, I ended up teaching middle school, and I loved it. I am now newly retired and am enjoying immersing myself fulltime in writing and teaching writing to others.

My husband and I live in Boulder, Colorado where I enjoy reading, quilting, hiking, biking, and spending time with my family.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
7,834 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book funny and effective at reducing first day jitters, with its surprise ending creating giggles. Moreover, the book serves as a great way to start the school year, opening up conversations about personal feelings. Additionally, they appreciate it as an icebreaker and teacher gift, with one customer noting it covers all anxieties of starting school.

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75 customers mention "Surprise ending"71 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the surprise ending of the book, which features a little twist at the end that creates giggles.

"Book has a cute ending. I read this with my class for the first time. It was my first time reading it along with them...." Read more

"...Very cute story with a surprise ending!" Read more

"...The book has a surprise ending when we find out that Sarah is the TEACHER and nervous about starting at a new school with a new class...." Read more

"...There's a "surprise" ending, and even though my students all now know it, they still giggle at the end of the book...." Read more

39 customers mention "Humor"39 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very funny, particularly enjoying its end and how it serves as a fun way to break the ice.

"...It arrived quickly and in great condition. This story could be fun any time of year, but it’s perfect for the first day read aloud!" Read more

"The punch line in this funny story is hilarious!" Read more

"...She was a little nervous starting something new, but this book made her laugh and understand that everyone else would be nervous the first day of..." Read more

"...Hilarious and great surprise ending!!" Read more

19 customers mention "Jitteriness"14 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate how the book addresses first day jitters, acknowledging that nervousness is normal for both students and teachers, with one customer noting its effectiveness with a Jitter Juice activity.

"Great book. It shows that everyone is nervous about going to school (in this book a new school)...." Read more

"Nice illustrations. Short easy read. Shows jitters happen to everyone :)" Read more

"...Basically, Sarah is apprehensive to go to school...." Read more

"...It’s a great ice breaker story to ease kids first day jitters and there’s a surprising twist at the end." Read more

17 customers mention "Start date"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book as a perfect first day of school book, with one customer noting it covers all the anxieties of starting school.

"...new teacher. This book is well written and covers all the anxieties of starting school, even if you're the teacher...." Read more

"...Calms the jitters and students love it. Makes the first day of school." Read more

"...It's a great way to start the year." Read more

"A great way to start the year and calm the beginning of the year jitters." Read more

11 customers mention "Conversation starter"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book effective as a conversation starter, opening up discussions about personal feelings and emotions, with one customer noting how it helps build empathy.

"...It's a great way to start a class discussion and make the kids feel comfortable and that it's normal to be nervous on the first day...." Read more

"...adults get nervous about things like this, too, was such a great way to talk about it...." Read more

"...It was a cute book and had a fun ending! Great way to open a conversation with your kids about jitters before the first day of school and how..." Read more

"...It also opens up a great conversation about how my students felt when they came to school...." Read more

11 customers mention "Gift value"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great gift for teachers.

"...She loved it and will be reading it to her future class! Great gift for teachers." Read more

"...THIS is a great gift for college grades that are in education!" Read more

"...Great gift for a student teacher!" Read more

"...It was a perfect gift for her and her class enjoyed it too." Read more

7 customers mention "Icebreaker"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book works well as an icebreaker.

"The kids loved it. Wonderful first day icebreaker" Read more

"...It is a great ice breaker for everyone." Read more

"...It’s a great ice breaker story to ease kids first day jitters and there’s a surprising twist at the end." Read more

"My kids loved the twist at the end. It was a great first day icebreaker to get the students discussing their first day jitters." Read more

6 customers mention "Value for money"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money.

"...n’t find mine this year so I had to get a new one and this is a great price!" Read more

"Such a great book at a great price!" Read more

"Great value" Read more

"Great Quality for a Good Price..." Read more

Great for teachers!
5 out of 5 stars
Great for teachers!
Immediately read my copy once it arrived to the house. Very good read with an interesting twist. My only issue was that the book got damaged bad on its way here. Spine bent in several places and the corner was warped.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Book has a cute ending. I read this with my class for the first time. It was my first time reading it along with them. We were all surprised with the ending. My students didn't believe adults could also have jitters too which lead to a whole new conversation.
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  • Laura C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for first day!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I’ve read this book on the first day of school for a while now. My copy went missing so I frantically ordered this a few days before school started. It arrived quickly and in great condition. This story could be fun any time of year, but it’s perfect for the first day read aloud!
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  • Teachermimi
    5.0 out of 5 stars First Day book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great book to begin the year. We added a writing assignment for middle school.
    Helpful
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  • Kimberly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Read to my student on the first day of school. Followed by making jitter juice. Great for the First Day of School activity and bonding.
    Helpful
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  • Corrina Oneal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the first day of school
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this book for the first day of school. It came quickly and in great condition. My students enjoyed it and we made Jitter juice after reading it.
    Helpful
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  • M. Foley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise ending!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was the perfect story for the first day of school. Our class talked about how we ALL feel a little bit nervous or even dread starting back to school. Very cute story with a surprise ending!
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  • Surely
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surprise ending
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased for my grandson starting school. But the book has a surprise ending. I won't give it away. But I would maybe purchase it for an adult.
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  • Opie’s mom
    5.0 out of 5 stars 🤣 so relatable!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The punch line in this funny story is hilarious!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mary
    5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely book about new beginnings
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I love this book! I had to teach an RE topic on Beginnings, the first lesson of which wanted to discuss children's own experience of new beginnings. I was trying to find a book/story to read them about a child's first day ay school. This one is perfect, with a man trying desperately to coax Sarah-Jane out of bed and out of the house to go to her new school. Sarah-Jane is very reluctant - "What if no one likes me, what if I don't like the new school, etc etc. \The great twist at the end of the story is that Sarah-Jane is the teacher! My class loved this and asked me lots of questions about how I felt on my first day at their school.
    Report
  • Bookworm
    5.0 out of 5 stars El mejor libro para el primer día de clases!!!
    Reviewed in Mexico on September 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Compre este libro para mis alumnos y fue todo un éxito. Les encantó!!!!
    Es una buena manera de ayudar a los alumnos con los nervios el primero día de clases.
    Report
  • yasu61
    1.0 out of 5 stars 高すぎる。
    Reviewed in Japan on August 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    短編集かと思って購入したら、短編がわずか１話でした。これは高すぎますよ。
    Report
  • K M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I love this story and finally needed to own it for myself! I changed schools this year so it was perfect to read to my classes on the first day!
    Report
  • Laura
    5.0 out of 5 stars First Day of School Book
    Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I like how the pictures reflect a child's emotions when starting a new school journey. Highly reccomend to educators and parents to support their child(ren) on the first days and weeks of school. The intended audience for this book will be kindergarten aged children. This book provides opportunities to discuss how children feel when faced with new learning experiences.
    Report