Changes

This book should gently reassure young children, and perhaps their parents too, who may be a little worried about starting ‘’big’’ ''big'' school. The story put a smile on some worried little faces amongst the nursery children that I read it to.The plot is simple but told gently and with kind humour. There is much to look at in the illustrations and after finishing the story children will probably want to go back and examine the pictures in more detail. The double page spread in particular is wonderful for showing just how a reception or nursery class looks in most schools today. All sorts of activities are portrayed from the water play to the paintings hanging on the line to dry, from a small puppet theatre to the book corner. This will provide parents with the opportunity to chat about the things their child will do throughout the day and should be helpful. The details in the illustrations throughout are lovely and I particular liked the different behaviour of the little mice in the classroom as there are some small characters that are easy to identify. The weary little mouse slumped against his neighbour as he listens to the story is very cute.