This Is a School
John Schu and Veronica Miller Jamison
Walker Books

Debut picture book author John Schu and illustrator Veronica Miller Jamison present a school that I would happily teach in or send a child to. In fact it’s much more than a place of learning, or rather perhaps it’s a place of learning in the very broadest sense. What we have here is a community with children at its heart; the very first sentence, ‘This is a child.’ speaks volumes to me, indicating this is somewhere where youngsters are helped to flourish in the broad sense. Children’s experiences lead to growth and transformation – their questions are welcomed

and their mistakes are seen as a vital part of the process of learning. Everybody herein, children, teachers, librarians, other staff, head teachers, helpers and visitors are valued and trusted too: and every single member of this community helps in the creation of its ethos.

This splendid celebration of a school is assuredly one to share with newcomers on their very first day. The illustrations, created in vibrant watercolour, acrylic and digital collage media match the upbeat tone of the writing, both combining to convey a vital message.
Would that all primary schools were more like the one herein.

A considerable amount of learning also takes place in

Two Wheels
David Gibb and Brizida Magro
Walker Books

The father of the little boy narrator of this story is obsessed with bikes and he has several different kinds – one for speed, one for muddy terrain, one for togetherness and one for a relaxing ride. The boy’s siblings and mum also have bikes but our narrator does not. Dad’s response to his refusal to sit on the baby seat any longer is to suggest he try his brother’s three wheeler, which he does. He also likes to help Dad fix other people’s bikes.

One day Dad presents his small son with a balance bike, then relatively soon after, a cycle with two big wheels and two stabilisers. This means that our narrator is allowed to ride out in the street. He practises and practises

until Dad decides it’s time to remove the stabilisers; this he does at the top of a hill. Then with words of encouragement rising in his ears, off goes the boy, gradually building up speed until he reaches the bottom – just in time for a big, congratulatory hug from Dad.

In her textured, patterned illustrations Brizida Magro shows the delight on the child’s face and the thrills as he progresses from tricycle rider to fully-fledged two-wheeler rider (We don’t see any spills though I’m sure there must have been some. One of my relations, after a tumble, kicked her bike and called it, “nincompoop bike!” though she was back in the saddle pretty soon after ) Author David Gibbs’ text portraying a very supportive Dad, is based on his experience of his own Dad teaching him to ride a bike. Becoming an independent cyclist is one most adults and proficient youngsters will recall, along with the trials and tribulations along the way.

This tale of patience and determination is one to share especially with those starting on the road to becoming confident bike riders.