Queen of the Classroom

By Author / Illustrator

Derrick Barnes, Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Genre

Picture Books

Age range(s)

Publisher

Scallywag Press

ISBN

9781912650941

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

07-07-2022

Synopsis

A confident little girl has a fantastic first day of school in this companion to 'King of the Classroom'.MJ is more than ready for her first day of kindergarten! With her hair freshly braided and her mom's special tiara on her head, she knows she's going to rock kindergarten. But the tiara isn't just for show-it also reminds her of all the good things she brings to the classroom, stuff like her kindness, friendliness, and impressive soccer skills, too! Like 'King of the Classroom', this is the perfect book to reinforce excitement and build confidence in the newest students.

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Reviews

Freshly bathed, a new outfit and smart braids, MJ is ready for her first day at school. Mama gives her a special tiara and tells her she's ready to become 'Queen of the Classroom'. Queens are friendly, caring and kind. They are always helpful to others. With this is mind, MJ confidently begins her first school day.

Queen of the Classroom is a delightful, empowering story about a young girl's first day at school. A perfect resource to reassure young children that their first day at school will be 'just fine' whilst also demonstrating and reinforcing the positive personal qualities children can have to make their classroom a friendly and happy place. Overall a great inclusive book modelling diversity and personal qualities.

Picture book / Reviewed by Maria, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

MJ is starting school. Her mother helps her get ready and tells her she is Queen of the classroom, giving her a tiara to wear. MJ asks what a queen does and her mother advises her to be caring , kind and helpful. When MJ goes to school she is all those things and more and makes friends as a result.

Queen of the Classroom is a delightful picture book, full of kindness and love. MJ is a a real role model and her outgoing attitude and confidence shine through each page. Her teacher, Miss Lovingood also lives up to her name. Whilst American in origin (I'm guessing this due to the spelling of colour!) it is not obvious and translates very well to the UK. The illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, are just marvellous and MJ shines throughout this book, proud of herself and a strong young person of colour.

Whilst a lovely starting school story, this is also a book about how to be as a person. This would be a wonderful book to use at the start of Nursery or Reception, about being kind and caring and looking out for other people. I can see this being tremendously popular for many children as it enables them to see themselves as the child in the book and I now want to read King of the Classroom by the same authors.

Picture Book / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris