The first six pages
Ava's Very Brave First Day is a 14-page storybook sketch picture book. Here is how it opens.
The cover. Ava's Very Brave First Day, starring Ava, 6, and her new friend Theo.
Page 3. Ava loved butterflies, with their lacy, dancing wings. On her first day at her new school, her tummy felt full of butterflies too—fluttering, flipping, swirling about. She pulled on her yellow cardigan and tied her red shoes, took a deep breath, and tried not to wiggle.
Page 4. "Remember," Dad said, kneeling down, "three brave breaths before you go." Ava breathed in, out, in, out, in, out. As she breathed, a tiny glimmering butterfly drifted through the window and landed softly on her sleeve, as if to say hello.
Page 5. The school was bright and cheerful, with yellow doors and flowers growing tall. Ava held her bag tight and watched the tiny butterfly flutter beside her, as though it knew just how she felt. Her tummy did a little flip-flop as she stepped inside.
Page 6. Inside, children laughed and played with blocks and paint. Ava stood quietly by the door, too shy to join. She watched the little butterfly settle on a windowsill, wings glowing softly, waiting patiently beside her.
Page 7. Near the coat hooks, Ava spotted a boy standing alone, hugging his backpack. His name was Theo, and his eyes looked just as wobbly as her tummy felt.
