Home › Books for Ages 4–8 › Mr. S: A First Day of School Book

Mr. S: A First Day of School Book

by Monica Arnaldo

A curious case in room 2B

Regular price $17.71 USD
Regular price $29.52 USD Sale price $17.71 USD
Save 40%

Hardcover New English

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

AlbakiReads Editorial

A curious case in room 2B

On the kindergarteners’ first day, their classroom has no teacher in sight—just a sandwich on the desk and “Mr. S” on the chalkboard. The children try to make sense of these clues, including whether the sandwich could actually be their teacher. Monica Arnaldo builds the school-day mix-up around a simple mystery that invites young readers to consider the evidence alongside the class. The familiar setting of a new school year meets an increasingly muddled question of identity, giving the book’s humor a clear source: the gap between what the children expect and what they find.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8, especially those curious about kindergarten and school routines.
  • Young readers who enjoy humorous stories built around a mystery and a classroom mix-up.

Themes

First day of schoolClassroom communityMystery and cluesImagination and interpretation

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Prepare for plenty of giggles as a kindergarten class arrives for their first day of school but can't find their teacher--only a delicious-looking sandwich and the words "Mr. S" scribbled on the chalkboard. Chaos ensues as the kids argue whether the sandwich must be their teacher. A comical first-day-of-school book of mayhem and chaos by Monica Arnaldo, perfect for fans of Miss Nelson Is Missing.

"This might be the funniest first-day-of-school book I've ever read." --Adam Rex, New York Times bestselling author of School's First Day of School

It was the first day of school.

But even the kindergarteners of room 2B could tell something was seriously wrong. . . . Where was the teacher? Who left this sandwich on the desk?

The only clue, written on the chalkboard, were three simple letters: Mr. S

Praise for Mr. S:

"Confusion, mystery, and laughs are on the menu in Arnaldo's deliciously goofy back-to-school tale." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The tale's genuinely absurd situation, the mystery of the teacher's identity, and the deadpan storytelling make this a memorable read-aloud choice." --ALA Booklist (starred review)

"Mysteries for young readers are few and far between and this one is fun and entertaining." --School Library Journal(starred review)

An Amazon Best Book of the Month * A Junior Library Guild Selection * Indigo Staff Pick of the Month * Governor General's Literary Award Finalist * Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * Indigo Best Book of the Year * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best List * New York Public Library Best Book of the Year * School Library Journal Best Book of the Year * Booklist Editor's Choice

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews