First School Storytime | Princess Tessa & The New Look Book

Summary

Experience a heartwarming story time with Jackie Morreale, as she reads her second book, Princess Tessa & The New Look, to a group of elementary school students. This read aloud session is the author's first live reading for a school-age audience, and includes a brief but enthusiastic Q&A at the end with the students. This children's story is meant to celebrate friendship and confidence, and this session encourages students to write down their own stories. So grateful to Palm Beach Schools for hosting this amazing story time during Literacy Week, and for making these books accessible in the school library!

Jackie Morreale with the Princess Tessa & Luc the Duke books that she wrote and illustrated, with book 4 co-illustrated with Natalia Morreale

Jackie Morreale reading Princess Tessa & The New Look live to elementary school students

Jackie Morreale signing Princess Tessa & The New Look Coloring Books for the students

Transcript:

Jackie Morreale (00:00)
This is my dream come true.

First, the dedication for this book. To my daughter, for always knowing how to bring style and people together.

And to all the real-life Charlies, our BFFs, who know how to make you smile and feel confident on your first day no matter what. Even if you don't feel anxious or nervous, maybe you're that person who's a best friend, who can help somebody else get through it.

And to whoever branded girls' glasses to make my daughter believe they are jewelry for the face, thank you.

Let's start. This is written as a poem, so it rhymes, okay?

Excited but nervous and almost late,
I check my calendar. Today is the date.
I'm starting first grade, get up, here we go.
Grab my notebook, my backpack, fix my pink hair, just so.

I wait for the bus, my daddy says, "Bye".
I look out the window, new houses fly by.
The bus makes a stop. What's that? Let me see.
More children pile on. But who can they be?

New faces, new backpacks, new worries. Oh my!
The driver keeps going and I just want to cry.
What is this new place? It can't be my school.
It's big and it's noisy and I don't know the rules.

I walk to the classroom, my name's on a line. (Tessa!)
I carefully look to see which seat is mine.
Rounding the tables, not here, not there.
I peek toward the back. Is that the one that I'll share?

With loads of new friends, all different than me.
Some bigger, some smaller, some seem so ready.
"Hello," says a voice, so glittery and fun.
"Let's all introduce ourselves and get to know someone."

I look beside me and who do I see?
A girl with round glasses just like me.
"I'm Tessa," I say, and I give her a smile.
"I'm Charlie," she answers. "Have you worn yours a while?"

"Today's my first day," I admit, feeling shy.
"My mom made me wear them. I say, I don't know why.
"I've had mine for ages. My mom made me, too.
But now the world's clearer. It's how I see you."

"Let's be glasses twins!" My new friend likes the idea.
"So when we put them on, we'll always know we're near."
We got through our first day. Math, reading, gym and art.
It's always a little bit easier with a friend beside your heart.

When I ride the bus home,
I wave as Charlie goes.
I know I'll see her very soon.
The reminder is on my nose.

The End. (Or maybe just the beginning of our BFF adventures.)

That is the story of Princess Tessa & the New Look. Thank you so much for reading through it with me and sharing your own first day experiences! Now that we've gone through it, there's a Look & Find at the end. Let me ask you a couple of questions and see who was paying attention.

What grade is Tessa starting this year? 

My gosh, okay you guys are paying attention.

Student: First grade.

Jackie Morreale: High five. Was everybody going to say first grade? It's right there on the cover. Good job.

What friendly animal lives on Tessa's street? Was anyone looking at the drawing?

Student: It was a squirrel.

Jackie Morreale: You knew that? You were paying attention.

Student: I knew that!

Learn more about this and other books in the series at www.princesstessa.com