Sarah is afraid to start at a new school, but both she and the reader are in for a surprise when she gets to her class.

The children in Mrs. Sarah Jane Hartwell's class write letters to her.

Recalls a working day in the life of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, when, so absorbed in his attempts to paint a rock formation on the French seashore, he didn't notice the tide coming in and was doused by a large wave, losing his canvas and paints in the process!

"It is class picture day and Mrs. Hartwell is doing her best to keep her class looking their neat and well-dressed best, but as the hours pass the students become messier and messier. By picture time at the end of the day, they look like their normal selves--and that works out just fine"--Provided by publisher.

Mrs. Hartwell is taking her class on a field trip to the zoo, and because of the fiasco last time she has prepared a list of tips to deal with anticipated disasters--but will they work?