Mr. S: A First Day of School Book

The tale's genuinely absurd situation, the mystery of the teacher's identity, and the deadpan storytelling make this a memorable read-aloud choice. A genuinely funny story that teachers and parents will enjoy sharing with children.

Everything about the narrative is playful, and readers will be sucked in by a seriously funny question: Can a sandwich be a teacher? Far from stale and ripe for repeating.

PreS-Gr 1--On the first day of school, a class of 12 children notices a cup of coffee, some papers, and a sandwich sitting on the teacher's desk--but no teacher. Without someone to conduct the class, half the kids are ready to run amok until a ruler suddenly falls off the desk onto the floor. Startled, the children decide that the "Mr. S" someone has written on the blackboard stands for the sandwich perched up front. Since they believe they're being supervised by their unconventional teacher, the dozen immediately fall in line and go through their lessons by themselves, including art where they paint pictures of sandwiches, story time, and music where, of course, they sing about sandwiches. Watercolors, colored pencils, and ink are part of the vivid digital illustrations which vary in size and show plenty of movement as well as the children's engaging facial expressions. The diverse, multi-ability class, including a boy using a wheelchair and a youngster with glasses, work as a team while they discuss and argue the probability of having a sandwich for a teacher. Observant readers will see that there's a second dramatic story happening simultaneously in the parking lot just outside the window. VERDICT Mysteries for young readers are few and far between and this one is fun and entertaining; it will elicit laughter and plenty of discussion.--Maryann H. Owen

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Confusion, mystery, and laughs are on the menu in Arnaldo's deliciously goofy back-to-school tale. A dozen fresh-faced kindergartners of varying abilities and skin tones arrive in classroom 2B, where they find, instead of a human teacher behind the big desk, "an impressive-looking sandwich" as well as "Mr. S" scrawled on the chalkboard. Hesitantly, the group accepts their position as students of "Mr. Sandwich." As the children guide themselves--under the sandwich's watchful green-olives-on-a-toothpick eyes--through art, music, and storytime, readers are privy to a second story line unfolding calamitously in the parking lot outside the classroom window. Just as the students reignite their debate about Mr. S's role, a pink-skinned adult bursts into the room--and settles the matter of who's in charge in an unexpected way. Readers will find plenty to chuckle over in Mr. S's floppy lunch-meat tongue, the kids' interactions, and the background commotion, all rendered in high-energy earth-toned images. Ages 4-8. (June)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

This might be the funniest first-day-of-school book I've ever read. — Adam Rex, New York Times bestselling author of School's First Day of School

[T]his story gleefully leans into absurdity, with a dash of epistemological musings. Young skeptics will be surprised by the true identity of the teacher of room 2B in a twist that makes this a standout among first day of school titles. — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

PRAISE FOR ARE YOU A CHEESEBURGER?: There's a lot of profundity within these whimsical pages—about growing up, overcoming disappointment through acceptance, and valuing relationships over personal needs—which should plant some hearty seeds of conversation for readers of all ages. — Publishers Weekly

Emotionally authentic and sweet without being saccharine. Silly and heartwarming in equal measure. — Kirkus Reviews

Audiences will enjoy the clever banter between the new friends and the literal visual feast the illustrations offer up. Aspiring botanists and young foodies will appreciate this quirky little tale. — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Refreshingly novel for its unexpected duo of characters. Will amuse young listeners. A delightfully quirky tale about an uncommon pairing of characters that offers light humor and guileless dialogue as they learn to treasure their blossoming friendship. — School Library Journal

This is a sweet tale of slow-blossoming friendship and unconditional acceptance, of celebrating differences and being gentle with others. Highly original and excellent... the illustrations present delightful layers of imaginative, whimsical joy. — Booklist