All My Friends

How does a parent/carer respond when a child starts the day with, ‘I can’t go to school today, I’ve got tummy ache.’? This Mum sighs and agrees the child Keisha may stay home… but just for today. Reading the pictures, one can spot the troubled expression on Keisha’s face, and the love and concern on that of the Mother. We then learn the reason for the child’s reticence to go school. She has moved, and just wishes to be back in her old school, with friends and her lovely smiley teacher.

During that day, Keisha finds a treasure in her garden, part of a Russian doll, which she slips into her pocket to take to school the next day. When the class is asked to bring something special to school, Keisha decides to take her old school photo, but the doll goes too. She learns that here at her new school, she can make good friends, for when her precious doll is lost, everyone searches till it is found. Set in a multi-cultural school, this reassuring story features a black child as the central character. It will find its place in many a story time and its bright illustrations reinforce friendly, sharing attitudes. GB