posted on 24 Jul 2023

This is a School by John Schu, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison

Preparing young children for entering the bewildering world of school for the first time is something that I have written about before. Every summer holiday there are displays of school related picture books in bookshops to entice parents and grandparents. It is a challenge to present the subject in an innovative way that provides information about the experience in a way that excites children. Every school environment is different so it is necessary to focus on some common features.

This example has very simple matter of fact text and brightly coloured positive experiences illustrated on every page. At first we see a happy looking child reaching up to ‘high five’ a smiling teacher. Then we see her as part of a bigger class community walking along with other children and adults in the hallway. At this point I picked up that this was a school in the US because there are lockers in a communal space and no evidence of school uniforms.

The overriding message that continues throughout the book is one of an inclusive and friendly welcome. The children all appear to be fully engaged and enthusiastic, even if ‘sometimes we don’t have the answers.’

Value is given to playing outside as well as listening to stories against the backdrop of well-stocked bookshelves (the author is an active blogger about children’s books, a former classroom teacher and school librarian as well as a former Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs). These fortunate children also enjoy asking questions, making scientific discoveries and creating paper lanterns. I was a little puzzled at a double page spread that showed a community celebration with references to the festivals of Diwali, Hannakah, Christmas and Chinese New Year all at once. But maybe that’s what happens in the US? 

There is lots to look at and discuss in this picture book ( which follows on from his earlier, This is a Story) and is generally upbeat but which also includes a sad girl looking out of the window of a tall building against the night sky. She is away from the school building but her kind friends keep her involved in the community by sending Get Well cards.

Back at school the children are busy taking care of plants and growing new things in the garden, sharing, helping one another and happily painting, drawing, dressing up and playing music together. Sometimes things go wrong but, with a little help from the adults, most problems can be resolved. 

I would quite like to teach at this school which is very well resourced and clearly values the creative arts above everything else. It also takes time to make every child, all parents and every member of staff feel equally valued. I’m not sure how much this idealistic depiction measures up to most schools in the UK, but it will succeed in helping to make those children starting school feel very excited about the big step in their lives. Older pupils, parents, and teachers might like to talk about the similarities and differences between the school in the book and their own experience.  

Available from Walker Books, you will be able to buy this from your local independent bookshop - who will be happy to order it for you if  they haven't got a copy on the shelf.       

Strongly recommended.

Karen Argent

July 2023