School of Monsters beginner chapter books: Bug’s First Day
Sally Rippin’s School of Monsters series will easily find its place as a favorite for many beginning readers.
In Bug’s First Day, Bug is a little monster experiencing his first day at school. Like many first-time students, he’s feeling nervous. Will the other students laugh at him because he doesn’t know his numbers or how to read? With gentle encouragement from his teacher, Bug learns that not only are his classmates still needing to learn the same things, he’s also there to make friends and play.
Bug’s First Day features charming illustrations from Chris Kennett, which provide a delightful burst of color, plenty of details to keep kids engaged, and contextual clues to support their reading. His illustrations also bring humor and emotion to the story. Bonus points for inclusivity and disability representation, as one of the characters is in a wheelchair.
As is characteristic of the entire School of Monsters series, this book is a great choice for emerging readers who are focused on sounding out words.
Using a shared reading format that involves a caregiver or teacher, the beginning reader can start by reading just a single word per page, which stands out in a bold font and contrasting color.
As their skills and confidence grow, they can progress to reading the entire book independently, making this a good value for families looking for books that can grow with their children.
The back of the book includes a review of the new words learned, tips for caregivers on using the book as a teaching tool, and a step-by-step drawing activity that helps children build interest in the book while working on fine motor control.
I give five stars for this series as an excellent addition to a family’s early learning home library. The underlying message supports children’s self-confidence, resiliency, and willingness to try new things.
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