Reviewed by annieb123 on
Mila Wants to Go to School is a sweetly illustrated simple and reassuring little book about the first day of school. Originally released in Dutch in 2008, this English translation due out 22nd Sept from Clavis is 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
Aimed at very young children, the story is about Mila, a young girl who is very excited about her first day of school. She and her daddy walk together to school and see and interact with their neighbors, some deer, and other temptations along the way, but Mila is determined to not be distracted.
The text is simple and accessible and the art is beautifully rendered and supports the story very well. I liked that Mila's life (she divides her time between mum and dad) and her ethnicity are relatable for most kids. Representation is important for everyone and her living arrangements and ethnicity are not remarked on in the text. It's also an inclusive book (there are characters of all ages included).
The translation work is seamless and it doesn't read as though it was written in another language first. The art is full of small details which will also provide fun for hunt-and-find play during reading time.
Well done, charming and sweet. This will be a good story to read with youngsters who are heading to school in uncertain times.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 9 August, 2020: Finished reading
- 9 August, 2020: Reviewed