A first-day-of-school celebration featuring cupcakes and a group cheer led by a smiling principal concludes this sunny account. “All over town, children are waking up.” They follow their varied morning routines then make their way, some with excitement, some with trepidation, in a matter-of-factly reassuring present-tense narrative. DePalma’s illustrations depict a recurring, multiethnic cast of children with a range of emotions; in one jarringly false note, one blond little girl sports bizarrely large blue eyes, in dramatic and unfortunate contrast to the others’ more subdued dots. Includes an author’s note on First Day celebrations. (Picture book. 4-8)
