Tilly's first day twist by Kylie Covark and Robin Tatlow-Lord

Tilly is most excited about her first day at school. She and Mum have their breakfast and get dressed, Tilly hopping excitedly from one foot to the other. Tilly runs to the classroom but on getting to the door, her legs turn to jelly and her tummy twists up. Mum reassures her, and she counts back from five to calm her nerves. On opening the door the classroom looms big and busy and Tilly turn to her mother asking to return home. Mum who always knows the important things to do, finds a quiet space in the room for Tilly to sit. She blows kisses into her backpack.Tilly looks aound and sees boy reading a book, a girl building a block tower with her dad, a boy sitting by himself playing with the play dough. Tilly likes play dough and mum gives her a big nod of encouragement as she walks over and joins the boy at the table. She has overcome the twists in her tummy at the initial contact and mum can leave.

A warm tale of one girl’s concern at starting school is developed as her mother supports her as she finds a place where she feels confident enough to join in with someone else, mum able to leave. Tilly, like many children, is very excited at starting school, but the reality of the size and composition of the classroom are overwhelming. Mum comes to the rescue, knowing exactly what to do: in reassuring her, calming her and allowing her time to see what she feels happy with, the story provides a template of how adults should behave when a child feels concerned. Young readers will recognise the butterflies in the stomach feeling of facing something new, and be reassured that there are ways to overcome this concern. They will recognise the school situation and see from the illustrations just how daunting walking into an unknown place could be. Children will offer ways around the concerns and see ways of making a place feel more comfortable for newcomers. This story will engender all sorts of discussions touching on mental health issues of confidence and self image.

Themes: Confidence, Starting school, School, Self image.

Fran Knight