Mark Sperring

Being a newcomer can be tough, especially at a new school. Here, we explore the difficult emotions that accompany that first day, in a compassionate and supportive way. Without minimising the fear and apprehension a child may feel, pastel shades, simple design and a gentle rhythm in the text provide a comforting exploration of what to expect. Emphasis is placed on the faces and body language of a diverse cast of characters throughout. Each character is expertly illustrated to convey the emotional tone, making the shifts understandable to younger audiences.

Mark Sperring’s rhyming eco-plea on behalf of our planet captures the reader’s attention from the first colourful spread of pages. The vibrant illustrations provided by Natelle Quek are stunning, even when depicting the ugliness of pollution and mass littering. Her representation of ethnically diverse children enhances the narrative, visually underscoring the global nature of the issue and, of course, the solution.