Chu's First Day at School by Neil Gaiman

Ill. by Adam Rex. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408847039
It is Chu's first day at school, and like every new-starter he is worried that the others won't like and they won't be friendly. He is somewhat dismayed when his teacher asks them all to share their names and something they are really good at. One by one, she writes their names and special talents on the board - so many that she has to keep rubbing them off and starting again. All the while Chu says nothing but at last it is his turn and suddenly everyone finds out what he is good at - with catastrophic results.
I've been holding this book back until schools start thinking about next year's new entrants as transitions to Kindergarten start to happen and 'big school' is really in the picture. This is lovely blend of the anticipation and nerves that beset every child who is starting this new adventure, delightfully offset by Gaiman's humour and Rex's illustrations.
Barbara Braxton