About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing the bittersweet end of a school year or feels anxious about leaving a beloved teacher for the unknown of a higher grade. It captures the complex emotions of moving on: the sadness of saying goodbye mixed with the growing pride of becoming a big kid. Through the story of a diverse group of classmates on an end-of-year beach outing, children see that it is normal to feel both small and brave at the same time. Miriam Cohen's gentle narrative focuses on Jim and his friends as they realize that while they will miss First Grade, they have grown enough to handle the challenges of Second Grade. It is a comforting choice for children ages 5 to 8 who struggle with transitions or who have formed deep attachments to their current classroom environment. By the final page, the story reinforces that change is a natural part of growing up and that memories of the past can fuel excitement for the future.
