The Tour at School
Illustrated by
03 July 2025Synopsis
- " This irrepressibly bouncy tour of all the school essentials (including toilets, emergency meeting tree and library with possibly more than a million books) humorously distills the scariness of starting school and the thrill of making a new friend." - The Guardian
- "A fun and pacy picture book on the important job that is showing a new kid around school, aka giving them 'The Tour'. Shireen’s illustrations ramp up the chaotic energy." - The Bookseller
- "A simultaneous knee-slapper and heart-warmer that is sure to become a read-aloud hit. A first purchase for collections, offering a humorous, inviting, and fresh approach to the new kid experience." - School Library Journal
"A remarkably sweet, funny, and thoughtful picture book. The depiction of school-life is brilliant, with noise, business, games and chaotic fun, all illustrated beautifully to match the energy of a primary setting. " - Booktrust
The hilarious and heartfelt debut picture book from Katie Clapham, illustrated by Nadia Shireen - creator of the bestselling, highly acclaimed Grimwood series and Barbara Throws a Wobbler - will help kids feel better about those first-day-at-school nerves, as well as encouraging all children to create a safe and welcoming space for others.
Because, really, starting school can be scary. And being a New Kid in a new school can also be very scary. Luckily, this book will help soothe first-day nerves, make kids feel excited about the challenge and also show children how to be the PERFECT Tour Guide and make any New Kid feel right at home. And did we mention this book is very funny? Because it really is.
So, come along and join THE TOUR with Katie Clapham and Nadia Shireen. First stop? The toilets. Because they're great for singing in. (And also for weeing.) And don't forget to show them the library and its one MILLION books (remember to use your quiet mouse voice!), the playground (where you can play Worldwide Hairdressers!) and ... the EMERGENCY MEET UP PLACE (just in case anyone gets lost). But REMEMBER, sometimes when you're a New Kid it can all be ... a bit too much. And that's when the New Kid doesn't need you to be a tour guide anymore, they need you to be ... a friend.
Details
03 July 2025
9781529505740Reviews
Visually and verbally funny. It focuses on the kind of tour you might get at the start of school or at the end of the previous term, and features a rather overenthusiastic child guide and useful information such as the best place to sing (the toilets), what to play at break (worldwide hairdressers) and what the office receptionist is wearing (her Wednesday cardigan). Shireen’s graphic style is comical, not least in the startled expressions of the new kid.
This irrepressibly bouncy tour of all the school essentials (including toilets, emergency meeting tree and library with possibly more than a million books) humorously distills the scariness of starting school and the thrill of making a new friend.
A stunning picture book filled with laughter and emotion, perfect for children who may be moving school or transitioning to a new year.
A gloriously empathetic and genuinely funny guide to everything you need to know about school… Nadia Shireen’s highly expressive illustrations of this diverse school population are fully of humorous detail and really extend the skilfully naturalistic narration… A wonderful primer to discuss the importance of kindness and empathy and will be marvellously reassuring to any preschoolers or to any potential new kid. An absolute must have!
