Elizabeti's School

Review
By Center for Children's Books

(Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books) A skillful mix of the familiar, the unfamiliar, and the downright idyllic, this first-day story is told with uncommon clarity and just the right amount of detail. The expressive, smiling faces of classmates, teachers, and family add exuberance; the textures and shadows provided by collage and watercolor add depth and clarity to the muted figures in the skillfully composed illustrations. Youngsters in Elizabeti’s age group will be more than willing to share her concerns about the home-to-school transition, while those already familiar with Elizabeti’s adventures at home (Mama Elizabeti) will enjoy seeing her take this big step. There’s a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book for the Swahili words.