Happy birthday to the classic picture book, School’s First Day of School! For ten years, this book has been helping kids and their grown-ups get ready for a nerve-wracking milestone. To celebrate, we asked Caldecott-winning illustrator, Christian Robinson, to share a behind-the-scenes look at his process.
A Note From the Illustrator
How did you approach illustrating this book?
I think because the story has that classic vibe, I wanted to reference another time. Even though the school in the book was newly constructed, I knew I wanted it to feel retro. Handmade tiles made by kids in the front, midcentury color palette and furnishings, brick facade, etc. I think the biggest hurdle was figuring out how much to anthropomorphize the school, without it coming across as scary or creepy. Should the school have a face? Should it be obvious on every spread? Is the school looking at things, or more generally conscious of everything going on within its walls? Should I include eyes that show him observing what’s happening on the playground? For inspiration, I looked to illustrators that had done this well in the past, and there is no better example in my opinion than Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House.
What is your favorite memory from the creation of this book?
The look for the school was inspired by a photo I came across when researching. I was looking for photos of buildings that appear to have faces, and I came across a photo of an elementary school in Boston. I immediately knew it was the one. Funnily enough, the school reached out to me because they noticed the resemblance and I was able to read School’s First Day of School inside that very school!
Has your process changed over time?
While my process has more or less stayed the same in terms of research, inspiration, and technique, I would say my approach and intention is always evolving. I think it can be easy to fall into the trap of having social media use you instead of using it as a way to share and connect with folks who might be interested in your work. I find myself needing to recalibrate how much to engage, and I often need to step away to give myself space to create more intentionally, and to create simply to create.
Why does this book hold a special place in your heart?
I feel privileged to be able to make picture books for a living, and each one I get to be a part of holds a special place in my heart. With School’s First Day of School, I’m humbled that this book keeps finding its people after all this time. Today’s elementary schoolers weren’t even born when it came out, so it’s always exciting to see teachers, librarians, and caregivers sharing it with fresh audiences at the beginning of each school year.
Christian Robinson is an illustrator, author, animator, and designer based in Oakland, California. He is a Caldecott Honoree and illustrator of #1 New York Times bestsellers Last Stop on Market Street (by Matt de la Peña), The Bench (by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex), and Something, Someday (by Amanda Gorman). His solo projects include Dad, Another, and You Matter. He has won three Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honors.
Order Christian’s latest work, Dad for your classroom or library now! And get ready for Mom in March of 2027!
About School’s First Day of School
School’s First Day of School
story by Adam Rex; pictures by Christian Robinson
Ages 4-8
A heartwarming and clever first day of school tale, from New York Times bestsellers Adam Rex (The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors) and Christian Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street).
It’s the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone’s just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him?
The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he’s not the only one going through first-day jitters.
This delightful back-to-school picture book told from the POV of the school is a great read-aloud, and perfect for readers of all ages.
Praise for School’s First Day of School
*Recipient of 7 starred reviews!*
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the 21st Century
“Robinson (Last Stop on Market Street) gives the school just a hint of visual personification in his flattened, paint-and-collage artwork, as Rex (Moonday) deftly juggles well-placed jokes and keen insights into feeling comfortable in one’s own skin—or bricks, as the case may be.”—Publishers Weekly, starred
“Using his signature, simple style, Robinson alternates scenes of the building and its interiors with shots that show the boisterously diverse kids’ first day.A unique point of view makes this school book stand out.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred
“Sure to become a staple for first days of school everywhere.”—Horn Book, starred
“This charming reversal of first-day-of-school nerves will delight little ones
and help put their own anxieties at bay.”—Booklist, starred
“An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud.”— School Library Journal, starred
“A delightful, perspective-tweaking back-to-school picture book.”—Shelf Awareness, starred
“Anthropomorphization of the whole building is a new and promising approach for school-shy youngsters, and it’ll make the already school-positive want to give their beloved building a hug.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred