Review: My Stinky New School

Starting at a new school can be scary. It certainly isn't something Toby is looking forward to. His sister, Clemmie, goes to a special school that smells of rainbows, paint and chocolate. His little brother, Benjamin, goes to preschool and it smells of sunshine, playdough and bananas. They both love their schools.

But Toby thinks his new school smells of pigeon poop, ogre armpits and sadness. And he hates it. He feels lost and lonely.

Luckily, on his first day he meets Jake, an alien, who offers to show him around. In the playground, he meets a pirate called Lilly and they sail the seven seas for a bit and even meet some mermaids. And back in the classroom, Bernard turns out to be a dinosaur expert and takes Toby on a dinosaur hunt.

But when Toby's mum comes to collect him at the end of the day, he sadly tells her he's made no friends. At least he met an alien, a pirate, some mermaids and a dinosaur expert though! Oh! Could they be his new friends?

This is an adorably funny look at the adventure of starting at a new school, as seen through the imaginative eyes of a child. The illustrations are a delight — bold, quirky and beautifully reflecting Toby's experiences. Perfect for any child worried about a new school or making friends.

Title: My Stinky New School
Author/Illustrator: Rebecca Elliott
Publisher: Lion Children's Books, $19.99 RRP
Publication Date: June 2015
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780745965017
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book