Worry Boots
Lisa Thompson and Aysha Awwad
Scholastic

It’s Connie’s first day at school and after putting on her shiny new boots she, her mother and younger sibling set off for the bus stop. Before long Connie stops and calls out to her mum, “There’s something in my boot!” Having wriggled her foot around, her tummy feeling like a dinosaur’s bumpy bottom, she then, declares that it’s a dinosaur and consequently she can’t go to school because everyone will stare at her.

Mum reassures her that this won’t happen and they continue on their way, Connie now not feeling the lumpy bump.

Having boarded the bus, Connie feels the thing in her boot again only now it seems hard and spiky. It must be a unicorn’s horn she decides, informing her mum of the situation and again saying she cannot go to school. Now her tummy feels hard and spiky. Mum tells her all will be well but as they approach the school gate Connie feels another visitation – sharp and pointy this time. There’s no way she’s going into school with a shark in her boot. She’ll frighten everyone out of their wits.

With a sharp pointy feeling in her tummy Connie then sees her teacher welcoming the children as they arrive in the classroom and she has a big smile on her face. Maybe it’s not a shark then, but still that boot and Connie’s tum don’t feel quite right. Before she says goodbye, quick thinking Mum suggests they remove whatever is in her daughter’s boot; she upends it and out falls … What do you think?

Feeling so much better Connie then goes to join the other children in the classroom. With so many new friends perhaps her day won’t be nearly as bad as she had been anticipating.

Acknowledging young children’s first day anxieties, this reassuring story is perfect for sharing with little ones. With her powerful imagination, Connie is a delight and Aysha Awwad’s portrayal captures her feelings beautifully.