The First Day is a simply illustrated book and part of the Seven Teaching Stories. Makwa has to go to a new school … and he doesn't want to. How will he face his first day? Series author Katherena Vermette is a Métis writer of poetry, fiction, and children's literature. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia. Illustrator Irene Kuziw is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s School of Art. In keeping with the simple stories, the artist's works capture the essential nature of the story making this little reader ideal for beginning readers.