Preschool Panic: Fancy Nancy: JoJo's First Day Jitters by Jane O'Connor

TOMORROW IS JOJO'S FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL. I AM HELPING HER PREPARE--WHICH IS A FANCY WORD FOR GETTING READY.

I TELL HER IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

Too much pressure! Nancy means to help, but her cheerful chatter about how important the first day of preschool really is only puts JoJo into a tailspin.

Nancy bustles about, holding forth about the steps in preschool prep. Of course, for Fancy Nancy an elegant wardrobe and an eye-catching backpack are first on the list. JoJo's face and body language show that she's not into this phase of preparation, but she does know that she needs something familiar and reassuring to wear--her pirate hat. But where is it?

Nancy is a bit taken aback by this unstylish accessory, but she obligingly pitches in to help JoJo look for it. Oh, there it is, under that pillow on the floor.

JoJo's anxiety rises. She complains of a tummy ache.

"BUT WHAT IF I DON'T LIKE PRESCHOOL!" SHE COMPLAINS.

"YOU JUST HAVE A CASE OF PRESCHOOL JITTERS--THAT'S FANCY FOR BEING NERVOUS!" NANCY SAYS.

Nancy dismisses JoJo's worries by pulling out the family album and showing her pictures of her own first day, chattering on and on about how much fun she had. When JoJo laments that her half-day school means she can't take her new lunchbox, Nancy tut-tuts that she can use it for snack time and busies around to help JoJo pick some from the pantry and cupboards and pack them up.

But the next morning, dressed in her opening day outfit and clutching her lunchbox, JoJo's fears are still not resolved. Nancy sees her little sister's gloomy face and knows it's going to take a fancy solution to fix JoJo's first-day fears.

And of course the inventive Nancy comes through with a suggestion that saves the day. She searches out her favorite doll, one that JoJo is not usually allowed to play with.

"MARABELLE IS A LITTLE NERVOUS. IT'S HER FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL, TOO.

SO, JOJO, WOULD YOU KEEP MARABELLE COMPANY?"

In the latest Fancy Nancy lift-the-flap fun, Fancy Nancy: JoJo's First Day Jitters (HarperFestival, 2012), the preparation for the first day of school is a given full attention, as youngsters are given the chance to find those things that JoJo will take along for her first day hidden throughout the book. Fancy Nancy Clancy is there to help her with the most important school supply of all, the confidence that she can handle all the newness. O'Connor, Glaser, and Company find the right formula to help quell those first-day fears.