Ila was just a little girl who lived in the city.

But today was big day for her.

Ila was about to do something super new, going to kindergarten.

“Oh, Ila! Time to wake up! It’s a big day!” Ila’s mom called out to her.

Ila’s mom was just as excited for the big day as Ila was, or so she thought.

“Mommy, what is my school going to be like? What if it is scary?” Ila asked.

“Oh, no! It will not be scary at all.” Ila’s mom told her.

Ila’s mom headed back into the kitchen to pack her a yummy lunch. ‘Time to head to the car, Ila.”

Ila headed to the car to meet her mom at the car.

“Am I the only one who has to go to a big school like this?” Ila asked her mom.

“Not at all sweety. There are tons of children who go to schools just like this, and sometimes it can be scary to them, too.”

As they pulled up to the school, Ila didn’t believe her mom. She was afraid that she was the only one who had to deal with the scary feeling.

When Ila walked into the school she saw tons of tall lockers and doors and kids that she did not know.

She was even more nervous.

As Ila and her mommy entered the classroom, she hid behind her mom’s leg. A tall woman approached them and held her hand out to Ila’s mom.

“Hello there! My name is Miss Jackson. I am the teacher of Room 14. What is your name?”

“Do you want to tell her your name?” Ila’s mom asked her.

Ila was a little shy and shook her head no.

“Miss Jackson, this is Ila. She’s a little nervous to come to school.”

Miss Jackson bent down to greet Ila.

‘Good morning, Ila. I  was nervous for my first day, too.”

“Your first day?” Ila asked Miss Jackson. “It’s your first day?”

“Absolutely it is! It’s my first day as your teacher.”

Ila looked up at Miss Jackson. She didn’t know that adults could have first days or that they could get nervous for these days.

“Are you ready to join Miss Jackson in class while mommy goes to work?” Ila’s mom asked her.

“I guess,” Ila said reluctantly as she released her mother’s hand and followed Miss Jackson into the classroom.

As Ila walked into the classroom, she noticed so many tables and chairs and books and toys.

She also saw a bunch of children her age running around.

All of the other children started to find areas to play in. Some played with the toy kitchen and some played with cars. Some played with musical instruments and some read books.

Ila looked around and suddenly started to get a little sad.

“Hi friend! My name is Lilly! What’s yours?”

Ila put her head down and whispered “I’m Ila.”

Miss Jackson walked over to the two and said “Lilly, Ila is new to our class. Would you like to help her today? Maybe you could show her some of the really fun things we do at school!”

“Oh, yes!” Lilly exclaimed. “I would love that. Let’s go, Ila!”

Lilly led Ila over to a group of kids reading with a second teacher on the carpet.

Ila began to fuss a bit and felt tears coming.

“Hey! Don’t be sad.’ a little girl told her. “School is a lot of fun and our mommies and daddies always come back at the end of the day.”