Sea Monster’s First Day by Kate Messner would be an excellent read aloud for Pre-K through grade 2 students at the start of the school year. The setting is under the sea and the main character, Ernest the sea monster, is nervous about going to school for the first time. He continually tries to engage with other members of his school, mostly small fish, but they all seems to stick to their own kind. Even under the sea, cliques are formed and he is feeling left out. He has a hard time finding his place and being accepted because he is so much larger than all of the others. He eventually finds a way to use his size as an advantage. With some creative imagination, he starts to enjoy school and makes many new friends. This book would facilitate class discussions about making new friends and accepting others who are different from you. SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY is about the excitement of the first day of school. Ernest is a friendlysea monster who goes to his first day of school with his stuffed Nessie and his backpack. But, then he gets there, the other students do not appear friendly. He really sticks out because he is "different". Although being different doesn't make him happy, he does find a way to make his differences something useful to all. As usual, Kate Messner's book doesn't disappoint. The reader falls in love with the characters even though some are not very nice in the beginning. Again, Andy Rush's colorful illustrations add such beautiful addition to the text. I purchased this book.
What do You think about Sea Monster's First Day (2011)?
Finding your place in a new school can be a challenge. Imagination was the key this time.
—Badou
Even sea monsters have first-day jitters. Fun twist on a familiar story.
—rockswife85
Cute book about a Nessie monster going to school & making friends.
—Jodi
