How to have the best school year ever by Jess Sanders. Illus. by Andrea Onishi

Jess Sanders, author of The Five Rules of Friendship, has once again included friendship in her latest picture book How to have the Best School Year Ever. Set to be released in time for the 2026 school year, this engaging narrative attempts to ease the anxiety many children feel when the new school year begins.

With the catchy phrase ‘Best School Year Ever’ this book explains ways that this can be achieved. School can look different for each individual child. Not everyone can connect with a friend straight way, or complete the work easily, maybe they struggle with words or numbers, or even an activity in the playground. The author believes that by setting goals, taking small steps to learn something, practising over and over again, even doing extra learning - all of these might help to enable school to be a positive experience.

Friendship is of vital importance and there are ideas to encourage this to happen: find someone with similar interests, start a conversation with a child who is left out, someone who believes in you, and it is ok to have safe disagreements. There is also the friendship you have within. The kind thoughts you have about yourself rather than the negative self-talk. In the final pages is a valuable and important opportunity for self-reflection on the school year that has passed.

The delightful illustrations throughout this text are clear and colourful and it is wonderful to see such a diverse and inclusive school yard.

Themes: New School Year, Friends, Goals, Resilience, Reflection, Inclusivity, Diversity.

Kathryn Beilby