Unfortunately I was unable to download a copy of this one properly so cannot give a full review.
I love the idea of this and love the graphics on the front.
As I have a little Ollie starting school this year I will be looking out for a copy of this book for him.

OK, welcome everybody. Today we have not one, not two, but FOUR newcomers to class, all showing how awkward it can be to attend a new school, or indeed school for the first time. Let’s look at each in turn, eh?

First we have EMMA’S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (9781605377834), which shows a young girl with the bird’s-nest hair she inherited from her mother, having doubts about going to school. She takes the brave decision to reassure herself in her favourite dressing-up costume, which makes her look like a flamingo of all things. But she loves flamingos, and she needs to be herself. It’s a bit odd that nobody else is having their first day of school, and that we see no staff, but the kids there already with full knowledge of where everything is take to the bizarre sight wonderfully; job done. Don’t come here for logicality (and real responses to a flamingo walking into your form room), but this is pretty and the purpose is served.

On Emma’s left is BENNY GOES TO SCHOOL (9781605377803), part of an established series. Sam is told she cannot take her dog Benny to school, but Benny has other ideas. It’s not strictly about a kid with doubts about how much enjoyment, punishment and everything else the teachers will deliver, but it does make the place a welcome-seeming environment – again, through some daft lapses of reality – so it earns a place at this table.

Still going round, we have OLLIE’S BACK-TO-SCHOOL BEAR (9781398500044) – and there have been three of these before, as well. Ollie runs off the night before her first day in class, when she hears an owl calling outside. Indeed all the animals form a train of characters – and they all go to school, and willingly, but for one shy little bear. Ollie helps the bear, the bear helps Ollie, and she’s fine with the idea of the big, bold building when dawn breaks. Subtly coloured, this looks drab perhaps at first glance, but is definitely charming enough when that’s called for.

Finally we welcome YOUR SCHOOL IS THE BEST! (9780735271647), again a sequel, to a book showing how delightful a cockroach thinks a kid’s birthday party is, much to the lad’s upset. Here the whole roach family smuggle themselves into school, and this is more about the comedy of the bugs’ misassumptions about how great it is for us to have them around than it is about schools. A black sheep of our little family, then, but not one to be ignored. And the lesson is clearly that if you don’t have a flamingo costume, perhaps it’s best to not go for a cockroach one instead. But hey, boldness and making sure you feel at home are to be encouraged.

A diverse class, then, which we like – and yet all get the same strong four stars. I’d recommend buying any or all – and quickly, because there’ll be a test on them shortly.

This beautiful book is about a little bear heading back to school. Aimed at any little children starting school or going back to school. This sweet story is sure to put their minds at ease

A beautiful, although very short picture book that explores perceptions of what is 'proper' for people to wear. It hows that everyone has a choice and that it can lead to meeting others with similar interests and outlooks; in fact meeting your own 'tribe'. An excellent addition to any diversity collection.

This book is beautiful, The message and the illustrations. Going to nursery/Preschool or school is a big step for small humans (children) This book really talks through what to expect from a first school day, but also reassuring that they are not and won’t be alone. It was a joy to read. My child (not going yet) but he did really enjoy the story and got quite excited about the possibility of going to school. I can honestly say, its a joy to read and lovely to read as a night time story.

As always a beautiful story with stunning illustrations

Here we see Ollie start the biggest adventure of all starting school, understandably she is a little nervous lucky her woodland animal friends are here to help. Ollie gets a sneak peak at school life, where she sees what you learn and what fun it is by visiting the woodland animal school before starting at her own school, the sneak leak changes her nerves to excitement.


The illustrations in the book are very pretty and cute, there is a lot going on and lots to capture little ones eyes, I have found this is case for all the Ollie books.

This book is ideal for any kitties about to start school, the language used is perfect for their age group, the story is simple bur gets the message across this added with the rich stunning illustrations makes it a perfect the night before school bedtime story

Simply lovely

A cute picture book all about the anxieties of the first day at school. Lovely illustrations for this simple but effective message for overcoming first day nerves with a little help @netgalley #eyfsbooks #firstdayofschool #firstday

This is a beautifully charming book ideal for any children just about to start school whether it be nursery school or early years. The book tells the simple tale of Ollie who on the night before school Is feeling nervous and is woken by the sound of animals ; they are all heading into the woodland to begin their first day.Ollie helps an anxious bear into class and joins the animals .The illustrations are gentle and beautiful and enhance the story.This is a perfect story to reassure those children starting school as well as a great picture book with calm and simple language. Nicola Killeen has created a winner … highly recommended to EYFS colleagues