This Is a School

Written by John Schu; illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison (Candlewick; 40 pages; $17.99; ages 4-8)

This upbeat, book-length definition of “school” emphasizes big ideas. The spare, syncopated text describes “school” as a place to grow, learn, create, celebrate, transform and work in community. It’s the cheery art that makes the abstract concrete. With different hairstyles and skin tones, diverse kids ask questions in class (learning), plant a school garden (transformation) and play instruments (working together). Enthusiasm is lightly tempered with honesty: Some days “we just feel stuck” and don’t do the right thing. One double-page spread refers to the shutdown time “when something happens and we can’t all be together. …We learn. We care. We hope. We heal.” The pandemic is not yet out of sight or mind, but the overall message is clear: School is cool.

A favorite character is back in this merry, mild-mannered tale about the unwelcome transition from summer to fall. Young Llama loves summer — fishing, hiking, camping, fresh fruit, sand castles, picnics and lazy days. Fall? Not so much. A Bay Area illustrator creates sunny pages filled with convincingly anthropomorphic animals to chronicle Llama’s reset — new shoes, water bottle, lunch box, backpack, sweater, shirt and socks. On the very first day of school, the teacher (a zebra) gets her class in order. “Crayons, paper/Be on time./Don’t push or shove. Stand in line,” she commands in pleasing singsong verse. The orderliness allows for art, music and kindness. Example: Llama steps in to comfort a tearful little rhino, perhaps suffering separation anxiety. Thus, throughout, the emphasis is on making those necessary start-of-school adjustments that nurture resilience and independence.