Going to School by Rose Blake

Going to School by Rose Blake
Buy Going to School by Rose Blake at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: For Sharing
Reviewer: Anne Thompson
Summary: This bright and cheerful looking picture book is full of detail and things to look at, share and discuss. It would be useful for those starting school and also for those moving up to Junior School.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 32	Date: August 2017
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-1847808981
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At the start of a new school year parents often ask for recommendations for books that would help make things a little easier for those about to start school for the first time or for slightly older children making the transition to Junior School. This vibrant and cheerful picture book contains much in both text and images that would be useful and encouraging for anxious children and equally anxious parents.

This book tells the story of a day in the life of one little girl as she goes to school. It starts with breakfast and works through a typical day including different types of lessons, play, lunchtime and meeting friends. The overall feel of the book is friendly, encouraging and positive. Although it never refers to a first day it would no doubt be reassuring for those about to start school for the first time. I thinks that the structure of the day and the images of the children would also make this suitable for slightly older children worried about moving up to the next stage too.

The illustrations are busy and full of detail. The way in which the reader is encouraged to participate and guess what each child's interests are through visual clues is both clever and well done. Inevitably this would prompt lots of discussion. We are even able to find out what each child's dream job is at the end of the book which is a lovely touch. Rose Blake has managed to create images that feel inclusive and there is mention of a geography lesson with flags of different countries of the world displayed. She also refers to the joy of reading and escaping to different places through stories. It would be easy to involve a child in the book as the author includes questions in the text such as, What is your favourite story? and What do you like to eat at lunchtime? As a mum I did particularly like the moment when the little girl is collected at the end of her very happy and busy day and mum asks what she did that day she replies, Not much. Oh, so familiar!

There is so much to look at in the illustrations I think a child may enjoy curling up alone and discovering more about a typical school day by themselves. A happy book that should help to encourage little ones to be happy about going to school too.

Thank you to the publishers for providing this review copy.

Lucky Wish Mouse: Starting School by Clara Vulliamy is a lovely, gently reassuring picture book that you may also like to try. Alternatively, if you are looking for a slightly anarchic look at first school days have a look at The Witch's Children Go to School by Ursula Jones and Russell Ayto

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You can read more book reviews or buy Going to School by Rose Blake at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Going to School by Rose Blake at Amazon.com.

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