Genres
Description
Dani has been waiting to go to school her whole life, and cannot wait for the joys it will bring, such as the friendship of Ella. However, school also brings many unexpected things that Dani isn't sure she is ready to face.
Publication
Gecko Press (2013), Edition: Illustrated, 136 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member debnance
What a happy matchup between writer and illustrator! And it is so refreshingly lovely to read a story about a happy child, Dani. Yes, she suffers a setback in her happiness when her best friend moves away, but we know that will only be a small setback somehow. Yes, a refreshingly lovely book. A
Show More
genuinely lovely book. Show Less
LibraryThing member eheinlen
Formatting: The formatting in this e-book was generally fine.
Content: I liked this book. It was cute. I think it was a realistic portrayal of a child having to grow up and realize that not everything in life is going to make you happy and then trying to cope with that fact.
Content: I liked this book. It was cute. I think it was a realistic portrayal of a child having to grow up and realize that not everything in life is going to make you happy and then trying to cope with that fact.
LibraryThing member EllieRickett
A sweet and simple book, with darling illustrations to match. A story that reflects the both complexity and clarity to be found in the lives of elementary school children. Teaches values of compassion, dedication to friends, resilience and the joy found in simple things. A really nice option for
Show More
children who are ready for a chapter book, but require minimal text per page. I read it to my daughters and they gave it a thumbs up! Show Less
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Dani learns it's possible to be a happy person without every moment in life being a happy one.
LibraryThing member rjrubylou
Summary: Dani is so excited to start school. She loves learning, and becomes quick friends with Ella. They have their first sleepover and create the Night Club (NC for short). Everything is perfect until Ella moves away. Dani cries often. School is not longer fun, macaroni and tomato sauce, her
Personal response and Curriculum Connection: It is difficult to really engage in such a simplistically written book. The story is sweet and definitely fits the target age group, it just lacks depth. What I did appreciate however was the fact that it addressed the issue of friends that are separated by moves in a realistic yet sweet and gentle way. This book addresses the "hard" issues that students have to deal with in life. The fact that outward appearances are not always the best indicators of what our young readers have to deal with in their lives, makes this book a winner. Many families in my town have recently had to manage moves and job changes in the family. This book would best be suited for a quick (2-3 day) read aloud in the classroom. It is one that would benefit the students by creating a lively discussion surrounding our "feelings" in school and how each of us has to navigate change in our lives. The text complexity matches that of a second or third grader, but the content is more engaging for a Kindergarten or first grade audience.
Show More
favorite food, and Dani is left floundering in life. Dani learns to dwell on her happy life, and ford the difficult currents in her young life. Personal response and Curriculum Connection: It is difficult to really engage in such a simplistically written book. The story is sweet and definitely fits the target age group, it just lacks depth. What I did appreciate however was the fact that it addressed the issue of friends that are separated by moves in a realistic yet sweet and gentle way. This book addresses the "hard" issues that students have to deal with in life. The fact that outward appearances are not always the best indicators of what our young readers have to deal with in their lives, makes this book a winner. Many families in my town have recently had to manage moves and job changes in the family. This book would best be suited for a quick (2-3 day) read aloud in the classroom. It is one that would benefit the students by creating a lively discussion surrounding our "feelings" in school and how each of us has to navigate change in our lives. The text complexity matches that of a second or third grader, but the content is more engaging for a Kindergarten or first grade audience.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mcpl.wausau
This book opens as Dani tries to fall asleep by counting all the times in her life she has been happy. Along with those happy times, she remembers some not so happy. Her mother died when she was very young and she lives with her father. Then, in her first year of school, her best friend moves away!
The text is suitable for a first or second grade reading level. Rarely is such emotion packed into so few and simple words! The illustrations flow smoothly with the text and are just as important in telling the story. It was surprising to me how exactly Eriksson could capture movement and expressions in her drawings.
Be sure to check out the other books in this series as well, My Heart is Laughing, When I Am Happiest, and Life According to Dani, to continue reading the tale of Dani’s happy life. Parents will want to read these charming books when their children have finished!
Reviewed by
Elizabeth L. / Branch Assistant
Show More
But Dani stays positive. Lagercrantz excellently captures the buoyancy and optimism of childhood through the story of Dani’s life.The text is suitable for a first or second grade reading level. Rarely is such emotion packed into so few and simple words! The illustrations flow smoothly with the text and are just as important in telling the story. It was surprising to me how exactly Eriksson could capture movement and expressions in her drawings.
Be sure to check out the other books in this series as well, My Heart is Laughing, When I Am Happiest, and Life According to Dani, to continue reading the tale of Dani’s happy life. Parents will want to read these charming books when their children have finished!
Reviewed by
Elizabeth L. / Branch Assistant
Show Less
Awards
South Dakota Children's Book Awards (Nominee — 2015)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Five to Nine — 2014)
Notable Children's Book (2014)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
8.3 inches
ISBN
1877579351 / 9781877579356