SC State Standard for Second Grade

9.2 Explain how words, phrases, conventions, and illustrations communicate feelings, appeal to the senses, influence the reader, and contribute to meaning.

This book is appropriate for elementary (especially 2nd grade) students because it is easy to read and understand. Children will be able to connect the meaning of the text through the emotions of the characters, basic vocabulary, and illustrations. This book teaches children that it is important to give and receive help to and from everyone. Maybe you will make a friend out of it.

It was the first day of school. Wally the Wombat was so excited! He had spent all last night picking out an outfit, packing his book bag and making his lunch. 

“Wally! Are you ready? You’re going to be late!” yelled his mom “Yes mom! I am leaving right now!” He yelled back. Wally picked up his backpack, walked out the door and walked to school. 

For Wally's first day of school, he wanted to get there on time. Wally was not the fastest walker, so he started to worry if he was going to be late! Wally worriedly thought to himself, "Maybe I should have left earlier".

!!!!!!

“Hey, I’m Charlie. Are you going to school too?” asked a voice from behind Wally 

Wally turned around to see a cheetah. “Yes I am. Are you?” Wally replied. “Well you’re going to be late. You could climb on my back and we could go together?” asked the Charlie the Cheetah.

“No, thank you. I’m okay. I’m sure I’ll be on time” replies Wally. “Okay then. I will see you at school” and the cheetah sped off. 

“I don’t need any help!” Wally said to himself. “I’m a wombat!” But as he kept walking, he realized that Charlie might be right.

?????

When Wally finally made it to school, he was late. “What took you so long Wally?” his teacher, Mrs. Giraffe, asked. She seemed concerned. “Nothing, Mrs. Giraffe”, mumbled Wally. “I was just walking.” Mrs. Giraffe raised her eyebrows at Wally. “Well don’t let it happen again, or you will be in trouble” she replied.

Wally sat down next to Charlie. Charlie leaned over to Wally. “I was right. You are too slow to walk to class. Maybe next time you can come with me.” Charlie whispered. 

“No! I’ll just have to get up earlier.” Wally responded quickly. “I know I can make it to school on time.” And he turned away from Charlie to face the teacher. Wally seemed troubled.

Later that day, the class was completing math problems in their math books. Wally was very good at math. He was the first to finish in class!