First Day, Worst Day
#1 of 7 in The Very Worst Ever Series
What’s inside...
In the first book of The Very Worst Ever chapter book series, a very unlucky kid struggles with his first day at a new school. Hiding his identity and bad luck behind stickers, the kid hopes for a fresh start. However, after missing his school bus, getting lost, and facing several mishaps, he feels doomed. Thankfully, he meets new friends who help him navigate the challenges, making it through the day. With illustrations and easy-to-read language, this book is suitable for emerging readers.
Discussion points
How did the main character feel on their first day, and have you ever felt the same way?
What are some ways the characters in the book helped each other overcome a bad day?
What would you do if you were in the main character's shoes on your worst day?
Why do you think having a bad day sometimes might be important for us?
How do you think the main character changed from the beginning to the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Let your child first express their initial thoughts about the story before diving into specific questions.
Relate the main character's experiences to your child’s real-life situations to deepen their understanding and connection to the story.
Encourage your child to think about solutions or alternative actions the characters could have taken, fostering critical thinking.
Discuss personal experiences with bad days and share strategies that both you and your child use to cope with them, creating a bonding moment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The story portrays the main character overcoming various challenges on their first day of school, learning to adapt and persevere.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by developing coping strategies for new or difficult situations, such as starting a new grade or moving to a new place.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As the protagonist encounters other students facing their own difficulties, they learn to understand and empathize with their peers.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be considerate and supportive of others' feelings and challenges, fostering a more inclusive environment at school or in playgroups.
Example Lesson: The importance of asking for help
Explanation: The book illustrates moments where the main character seeks help from teachers and classmates when facing tough situations.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to seek guidance from trusted individuals when struggling, which helps them learn more effectively and builds important social bonds.