posted on 21 Aug 2025

The Tour at School ( Because You’re the New Kid) by Katie Clapham, illustrated by Nadia Shireen

It’s nearly that time of year again when teachers and children begin to think about going back to the routine of school - with mixed feelings. I’m sure that many parents look forward to a more structured week, with clearer boundaries about sensible bedtimes and no pressure to organise childcare. But starting at a new school can be daunting for a child of any age, together with their anxious but optimistic parents; or even as a new member of staff who isn’t sure what to expect.

I have written before about a number of very good picture books that deal with preparing a child starting school for the first time and I was interested to see how this one might contribute to the collection. The very colourful cover with cartoon characters is eye catching and inspired some discussion when I recently shared with a five year old friend. She immediately suggested that the worried looking child with his hood up might be a bit scared of the exuberant looking girl beside him. I pointed out that we didn’t actually know which one was the new kid and that perhaps the boy was worried because this loud child would be joining his class.

We enjoyed looking at the detailed front end-paper which shows the rather old fashioned looking school and playground but we couldn’t spot the two children on the cover and decided that they had both arrived early. On the turn of the page we met them again and realised that the confident girl was giving the tour to the new boy. My little friend said gloomily: ‘Its always kids like that who get picked to do stuff like that at my school - and usually the same kids‘ - a perceptive comment which might give some teachers food for thought.

And so the exciting tour begins with the girl dragging him by the hand to show him all the important features of the school. As everyone knows, the toilets are an essential part of this and she points out their positive features like the smell of strawberry soap and their impressive echoing potential. We liked the emphasis on the playground as a fun place with scope for physical and imaginative play. We were also glad to see the plentifully stocked library. The pair scoot through the rest of the school with the girl shouting out important features such as:

‘That’s the office, and that’s Ms Malin, and that’s her Wednesday cardigan’.

By this point in the story, the tour guide pauses for some self reflection because she has realised that she needs to ‘imagine that she is in the New Person’s shoes’. She shares her memory of how she had felt lonely and scared only one year ago and wished that she had A Friend to talk to. She also remembers that she needs to encourage questions as part of the tour. We were pleased to see that the two children end up by hugging with the promise of a long and enduring friendship in the future.

I recommend this feel good story with vibrant illustrations published by Walker Books. I can see that it would be a starting point for talk, writing and art work about how to make school a more welcoming place for new children of all ages. It should be available to buy from your local independent bookshop who will be pleased to order it for you if not already on their shelves.

 

Karen Argent

August 2025