First Day of School

Esther van den Berg (1982) studied illustration at the art academy in Kampen, where she also grew up. At the academy, she liked to stand with her fingers in the black ink of one of the printing presses. After a good turn, etchings, linocuts, and monotypes appeared on the other side of the printing press. After her graduation she left for the Randstad and worked as a designer. Only eight years after her graduation it started to itch again; she had to start drawing again! Under the name PUIKEPRENT, she tried new things as an illustrator. Nowadays Esther largely makes her illustrations digitally. Because of her artisanal education, she is always looking for the right texture and a hand-painted feeling. Her prints are atmospheric, with an eye for detail, often with a wink.

"A young bird’s anxieties about beginning school quickly fly away after a fun and reassuring first day. “I’m only looking around,” young Robin insists when his mother walks him to school: an enormous old tree with cozy carved-out gathering spaces and plenty of ladders and swings. His teacher, a kindly fox, guides new student Robin through a day of activities with his animal classmates, from circle time sharing through playing, snack, gym, and art, with the bird ever-curious about the agenda (“Ma’am? What do we do now?”). By day’s end, Robin’s had such a great time that he doesn’t want to leave. Van den Berg’s digital compositions have a palette of dark reds and browns and brushstroke-like textures. What’s not to love about a tree school replete with indoor plumbing, a huge stump that serves as a lunch table, and twinkling strand lights above the door? Ages 4–9." - Publishers Weekly"Robin is reluctant to go to school. He doesn't know what to expect and thinks that he will go, take a look around, and return home with his mother. However, once he gets there, makes new friends, and learns his new routine, he doesn't want to leave. This book will be wonderful for children who are about to start preschool, children starting kindergarten will need to anticipate a day a little more rigorous than the one presented. As it is described, the school day is built around play and socialization, just what one would anticipate for preschool children. The animal characters are adorable. The variety of animals and insects in the schoolroom gives the impression that everyone is welcome at school, a great message that is smartly presented even in an anthropomorphic book." - Enoch Pratt Free Library"A helpful story for children facing their first day at school. Whimsical woodland characters, like a fox, mouse, rabbit, hedgehog, lady bug, squirrel and more create a relatable story about the emotions children might experience with on their first day of school. Feelings about uncertainty, being in a new place, saying goodbye to their parents for the day, and how to meet new people. Each layout presents a muted color scheme and illustrations to show each different activity that might happen during the day including recess, gym class, art class, lunch, show and tell. A good choice for children who will be attending school for the first time, preschool OR kindergarten! " - Birchard Public Library of Sandusky County"An adorably illustrated book for preschoolers hesitant to start school. The story follows Robin's first day at school and all the activities preschoolers can anticipate during their day from circle time, playing with toys, meal times, and going potty. The story concludes with Robin's mom returning at the end of the school day to pick him up and leaving him excited to return to school the next day. Such a sweet story that my own child starting preschool this year enjoyed! I would recommend this book for preschool aged children." - Ever Wild Bookshop