Amanda Pig, School Girl (Easy-to-Read, Dial) - Hardcover

"I have been waiting my whole life to go to school," declares an exuberant Amanda Pig as she prepares for her first day of school. And what a day it turns out to be! Up before the sun, Amanda can barely contain her excitement as she puts on her new purple dress, eats breakfast, and kisses her mom and dad good-bye. Once on board the school bus, she eagerly plops down in an empty seat for her first adventure of the day--befriending a frightened little girl who won't tell anyone her name. Blessed with a warm heart and a generous temperament, Amanda Pig is just about the best new friend any shy kid could have. In this warm, charmingly illustrated tale of the joys and challenges of a first day at school, Amanda gives her new pal a nickname--Lollypop--and then gently assures her, "School is fun. You will like it. You'll see."

Part of a series featuring our intrepid heroine--including Amanda Pig on Her Own, Tales of Amanda Pig, and Amanda Pig and Her Big Brother Oliver--this four-chapter, easy-to-read book follows Amanda and Lollypop through their action-packed first day. But will sad little Lollypop ever smile and reveal her true name? With the fun-loving Amanda Pig around to coax a few smiles and chase away the blues, there's no doubt everyone will soon be feeling better. (Ages 4 to 8) --Marianne Painter

Jean Van Leeuwen is the author of more than fifty children's books, including picture books, Easy-to-Read books, and middle-grade fiction. Ms. Van Leeuwen now lives in another small town north of New York City with her husband, Bruce Gavril. She has two grown children, David and Elizabeth, and a young grandchild, who will surely inspire more stories.