The Tour at School: Because You're the New Kid!

By Author / Illustrator

Katie Clapham, illus Nadia Shireen

Genre

School Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Walker Books

ISBN

9781529533989

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

02-07-2026

Synopsis

"A fun and pacy picture book on the important job that is showing a new kid around school, aka giving them 'The Tour'. Shireen's illustrations ramp up the chaotic energy." - The Bookseller

The hilarious and heartfelt debut picture book from Katie Clapham, illustrated by Nadia Shireen - creator of the bestselling, highly acclaimed Grimwood series and Barbara Throws a Wobbler - will help kids feel better about those first-day-at-school nerves, as well as encouraging all children to create a safe and welcoming space for others.

Because, really, starting school can be scary. And being a New Kid in a new school can also be very scary. Luckily, this book will help soothe first-day nerves, make kids feel excited about the challenge and also show children how to be the PERFECT Tour Guide and make any New Kid feel right at home. And did we mention this book is very funny? Because it really is.

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Reviews

Roseanne

The Tour at School (Because You’re the New Kid!) by Katie Clapham is a delightful picture book that perfectly captures the mix of excitement and nerves that come with starting at a new school. The story follows an enthusiastic student who takes it upon themselves to give a new kid a full tour of their school, pointing out everything from the library and classrooms to the quirky details like Gary the classroom fish.

Through this energetic tour, the book highlights the importance of kindness, empathy, and friendship. One of the things I loved most about this book was how relatable it feels. Even if you haven't been the new student, the characters' emotions are easy to connect with. The illustrations by Nadia Shireen are bright, playful, and full of personality, which makes the story even more engaging. Each page bursts with color and humorous details that young readers will love discovering.

This book is more than just a funny story - it's also a gentle lesson about welcoming others and making them feel included. I could see it being a great resource for teachers or parents to help children talk about feelings like nervousness, loneliness, or excitement on their first day.

Overall, The Tour at School is a heartwarming and fun read that celebrates friendship and school life in a way that feels both entertaining and meaningful. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone aged 3–7.

Picture book / Reviewed by Roseanne Sutton