Thursday, January 25, 2024

Never, Not Ever! by Beatrice Alemagna translated by Jill Davis

"She is five years old with furry ears and pink wings and she knows exactly what she likes."

Pascaline is a young bat. Everyone is heading off for their first day of school but NOT Pascaline. She shrieks:

Never, not ever!

The parents try to explain "you'll learn so many things ... you'll make lots of new friends."

But Pascaline yells so loudly her parents shrivel down to the size of two peanuts. Problem solved. Pascaline can take them to school under her wing. Inside the classroom Pascaline discovers the other kids are nervous too. Trouble is her tiny parents keep joining in with the day - they sing and then complain about the food. Dad even falls into the soup. Pascaline has such a hard time controlling them. 

"Finally, school is over. Everyone gets hugs and kisses. Poor Pascaline. She has nobody to pick her up. Of course. How can your parents come and get you when they've been clinging to you for five hours?"

And now for the important question - can mum and dad come to school tomorrow?

Never, not ever!

Back to school is just a few days away here in Australia. It might be fun to share this book with a young reader who is about move from preschool to 'big school.'


Here is the French cover:


There are hundreds or even thousands of books about starting school. My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything and I have put some of our favourites into this Pinterest collection

Pair this with:



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