Shy Robin and the First Day of School

April 15, 2023
An uncertain hippo's first day at school. Robin is a "big, brave animal"--specifically, a yellow hippo with bangs. While Robin is a boisterous force of nature at home, out in the "big, busy world," Robin feels shy. On the first day of school, Mom gives Robin a purple headband for good luck, but the hippo still feels overwhelmed in their new classroom. But Robin notices a young otter named Marco who's also struggling with anxiety. Finding a super-cool purple cape in the costume box gives Robin the courage to approach Marco, but the loss of their new headband makes Robin hide again. Luckily, Marco is there to offer Robin one of his lucky purple bracelets and to help find the headband, and together they learn to be the bravest, shyest animals in class. Lovingly rendered chalky illustrations bring to life this tale in a well-paced balance of spot art and spreads, showing a variety of soft, round anthropomorphized animals going about their days around Robin. Shy human children--especially those who feel more outgoing in a familiar environment--will be reassured that they will most certainly not be the only ones nervous about their first day of school. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Encouragement for those who are exuberant, loud, and full of energy...but only at home. (Picture book. 4-7)

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June 26, 2023
Shyness connects two animals on the first day of school in Kim’s social-emotional story. Though tawny hippo Robin can be “loud,” “funny,” and “full of energy” at home, “Out in the big, busy world,/ I become shy.” School amplifies the protagonist’s emotions—one spread viscerally captures the bigness of the feeling with an image of the subject hugging a caregiver’s legs while shadows of others loom. After locating a “safe and quiet” space at school, Robin finds a kindred spirit in quiet otter Marco. Crisis strikes in the form of a lost headband, but Robin and Marco’s emerging camaraderie saves the day for a heartwarming conclusion. Direct first-person narration astutely captures emotional ups and downs, and smoothly shaded digital illustrations lend a softness to the day’s difficulties. Ages 3–7.