When an Elephant Comes to School

20 years on, Ormerod is still producing picture books with instant child-appeal. This one bears lots of re-reads, and the elephant in question is set to become a favourite. The book is about attending school for the first time and each spread is a mini chapter with a heading, the first being ‘Making Friends’. The gentle, humorous illustrations often demand perusal before the minimal text is read. The 11 children portrayed all contribute to making the elephant (the newcomer) feel at home. On each spread there is a ‘post-it’ with brief instructions for looking after the elephant (‘When he falls over, make a big fuss of him’), ideal for early reading recognition. This calm book will provide comfort and support to children starting nursery or reception, and will usefully remind established pupils how to treat newcomers.