*Updated Post So the summer holidays have started in Scotland and that means six (or seven) weeks of full-time fun and play. It al...

Going to School Picture Book

Friday, July 19, 2019 BookBairn 10 Comments



*Updated Post

So the summer holidays have started in Scotland and that means six (or seven) weeks of full-time fun and play. It also means there are only a few weeks until some little children start school for the first time. And if you want to prepare them for that, reading Going to School books are a great way to talk about it.

Generally I don't find "my first.." sorts of books to be all that exciting. Useful, practical, but not exciting. Not true for Going to School by Rose Blake. This is really brilliant. It is an exploration of a day in the life of a little girl at school following her all day from her journey to school to when she gets picked up at the end of the day. And it highlights almost every important feature of the day! We also meet a whole cast of her classmates for vary in all shapes, sizes, colours and ambitions!


The day starts with everyone walking, scooting, cycling, busing, driving... to school and entering the classroom to hang up their coats and bags at the pegs. And this page is perfectly depicted (except the cloakroom is a lot tidier than I have ever seen one). Miss Balmer has written the timetable on the whiteboard and discusses the plan for the day with the children and then they are off on a journey of fun learning! The book shares some of the main subjects taught in school from geography, PE, science to maths and literacy but it also shows multiple activities on each page so you get a feel for various sort of science lessons that Miss Balmer has done with the children or a selection of activities that the children use the computer for. Similarly at play and lunch times the children are all doing different things so you can get a feel for the variety that happens in school.


And this is the charm of the book. Whilst it is told from the viewpoint of one character, there is so much going that you can discuss! So even if you don't ride your scooter to school you can spot a child getting there the way you do. Or doing an art activity that you enjoy. Or acting out one of the many jobs the children want to do when they are older. You can easily find yourself, or your child in this book. I would love to think that I was a little like Miss Balmer when I was teaching - she just seems awesome and it's no wonder her class adore her.


And I just want to have a special mention to the text about reading time because it sings to my soul: "Your imagination can take you to lots of exciting places when you're reading!" Could this book be any more perfect?


Good luck to any little ones starting school this year! 
Kim, BookBairn and The Wee Page Turner xx



Disclaimer: This book was sent by the publisher for review but I gave my copy away to a friend when her little boy started school so I bought myself a copy! Words and opinions are my own. Please read our Review Policy  if you want to know more. If you click on the image of the book below you will be sent to Amazon.co.uk using an affiliate link.  This means that if you choose to purchase on Amazon.co.uk, I will receive a small sum (around 20-90p per book) from Amazon at no extra cost to you. I understand that you may not want to use an affiliate link, but if you like reading our blog post please just think of it as a small tip for a tip-off to an awesome book. And know that your support means I can buy more books! For more information check out our For Readers Section.

10 comments:

  1. What a lucky boy that Auntie Kim is a book blogger - and an excellent one too! Xxx

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    1. Thank you! Hope he likes it and can't wait to hear all about his big boy adventures at school xx

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  2. Best wishes to Brodie. Great excitement. It won't be long until BookBairn is joining him. Enjoy every moment.

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  3. What a fab book and great for this time of year! Thanks for linking with #readwithme

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  4. This looks absolutely gorgeous and the perfect starting school gift. Great for stimulating conversations and discussions to ease any worries or answer any questions that Brodie may have :o)

    #ReadWithMe

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    1. Absolutely! I think parents and children could pour over this one for hours!

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  5. What a lovely present to gift to your friend, I hope he had a great first day at school. This book looks gorgeous! I've seen so many more school picture books since I wrote a post on them I think I'll have to do another one next year. #readwithme

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    1. I think so! Yes, so many good books - I loved your post. I will need to do a nursery one next year as BookBairn is going to be a big nursery girl!

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