I am too absolutely small for school

Author and Illustrator: Lauren Child

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Year: 2003

ISBN: 978-0-76362-887-1

Now here’s a book that tackles the apprehensions of a reluctant pre-schooler.

Meet Charlie and his little sister, Lola who thinks she’s “still really quite small” and therefore, not ready to go to school. Older, wiser Charlie assuages her fears and counters every reason Lola can come up with. Until Lola, does go to school and brings home a friend!

The narrative captures the imagination and conversational skills of young children, like a photograph. :-) It’s just the way they talk.

And, of course, there is an imaginary friend in the mix – Soren Lorensen whose presence Charlie deftly grasps to convince Lola about school.

The illustrations are a mix of collages, simple sketches and everyday objects, photographed and placed just so as to complete the effect.   

Excerpt

“But I absolutely will NOT ever wear a schooliform. I do not like wearing the same as other people.”

I say, “But Lola, you do not have to wear a school uniform. At our school you can wear whatever you like.”

“Oh,” says Lola.

You wait there. I know exactly what I can wear…”

Election Day (Robin Hill School) – Ready-to-Read: Level 1

Author: Margaret McNamara

Illustrator: Mike Gordon

Year: 2004

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks, NY

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 68986 425 6

Website: Ready to Read

Mrs. Connor’s class has a new student, Becky. It’s also Election Day for the class president and after lunch the children give speeches. Nick promises a candy machine, Emma vouches for no home work and Nia vows that summer vacation will be six months long. The children cheer with loud Hoorays!

Mrs. Connor looks at Becky. It’s her first day at school but she knows she’ll make a good class president.

This is an encouraging book for little ones from the Ready-to-Read series featuring easy words and phrases to motivate new readers.

Excerpt

Becky took a deep breath. She got up from her chair.

“I cannot promise candy machines, or less homework, or more vacation,” she said.

“I can only promise to do my best.” Becky sat down. 

Sherman is a Slowpoke

Text: Mitchell Sharmat

Illustrations: David Neuhaus

Year: 1988

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., New York

Age: 6 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 0 59040 938 7

This is the first time, I've seen a sloth (that too the pre-historic kind!) as the central figure in a children’s book. Naturally, the slow pace of the animal is used to create some hilarious situations.

Meet Sherman the sloth who has spent all his life eating and sleeping around the family tree. When he meets Alice, another sloth who goes to Mr. Mammoth’s school, Sherman wants to join too. He wants to learn to think, too. :-)

Except that it takes more than a day to get there and his parents aren't too keen on his new idea, either.

Sherman makes it to school and despite jibes from his class-mates, he has a thought too. It’s what he wanted to learn!

Excerpt

“Sloths are always happy,” said his father, “as long as the leaves are green and the water is clean.”

“I want more,” said Sherman.

“I want to do things. I want to think. I want to go to school!”

Pete and Polo: Nursery Adventure

By Adrian Reynolds

Year: 1999

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84362 845 7

The first day of school is an occasion of trepidation for most children. This Pete and Polo book tries to make the unfamiliar day friendly with a gentle story about Pete and his beloved Polo, a stuffed polar bear. Pete is apprehensive at first. He slowly begins to talk to others and eventually, enjoys his day.

Excerpt

When they arrived at nursery school, there were lots of Mums and Dads and children. 

It was very noisy. All the other children had brought their teddy bears too.  

Your Emotions: I feel frightened

Text: Brian Moses, Wikipedia

Illustration: Mike Gordon

Year: 1993

Publisher: Hodder Wayland, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 0 75021 404 9

The Your Emotions series is a fantastic idea to help not just children but parents and teachers to navigate this tricky zone in little ones' lives.

The I Feel Frightened book doesn't brush away fears as most adults are inclined to do but helps the child come to terms with the ever-present reality of emotions and offers helpful suggestions too. The book deals with fear of the dark, bugs, strange noises, first day at school and more. The  witty text and peppy illustrations offset the somber subject of the book.

What I liked best about this book? It actually acknowledges that grown-ups feel fear too!

This book is a must-have for any children’s library.

Other titles in this series:

• I feel angry
• I feel jealous, Review here
• I feel sad

Excerpt

I’m frightened when I think there are spiders under my bed.

But any spider I find is much more frightened of me.

I like to play hide and seek!

And even though I’m frightened when dad makes me jump, I still want to play it again!

Milly and Molly’s Monday

Author: Gill Pittar

Illustrator: Cris Morrell

Year: 2001

Publisher: Milly Molly Books, New Zealand

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978-0-95822-088-3

Website: Milly Molly.com

It’s the first day of school for Milly and Molly. They are apprehensive about leaving their beloved cats behind but are assured by the grown-ups: “It’s surprising how a cat can fill its day.”

Sure enough, when they get back from school, their cats have not missed them at all. And there’s a surprise waiting for them, too!

Excerpt

Milli and Molly sit at the back of the school bus. Marmalade and Tom Cat can hardly bear to look.

“Don’t worry about Marmalade and Tom Cat,” says the kind bus driver.

“It’s surprising how a cat can fill its day.”