'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Thursday, 19 February 2015

Review: On My Way to School

Mum wakes Livi up. It’s time to get ready for school – or that’s what Mum thinks. Livi’s been to school a hundred times before and she already knows lots of stuff. She’d prefer to stay in bed.

Mum is persistent and Livi goes through her morning routine, slowed down by her wonderful imagination. She slowly slides out of bed like a snail in the garden, forages through her drawers for clothes like a pirate searching for hidden treasure and walks out to the bus stop feeling burdened like a mountain climber ready to climb Mount Everest.

Livi’s very active imagination has a flair for the dramatic.

On My Way to School is a fun story that both children and parents will relate to. The before school routine doesn’t always run smoothly, especially when children aren’t all that enthusiastic about going to school. Livi’s wonderful imagination turns the morning into an adventure and gets her onto the bus and on her way to school on time.

Sarah Maizes text is fun to read aloud, with lots of opportunities for parents to playact the various roles Livi imagines herself playing. The illustrations by Michael Paraskevas are colourful and filled with personality. I think the snail moving ‘sooooooooo ... sloooooowwwwwwww...’ is my favourite.

On My Way to School is part of a series of picture books that includes On My Way to Bed and On My Way to the Bath. If you have a child who resists bedtime, bathtime or getting ready for school, routines, you’re sure to find something familiar in these lovely stories.

Title: On My Way to School
Author: Sarah Maizes
Illustrator: Michael Paraskevas
Publisher: Bloomsbury, $22.99 RRP
Publication Date: August 2014
Format: Hard Cover (with dust jacket)
ISBN: 9780802737007
For ages: 4-7
Type: Picture Book