Olu’s Teacher: A Story About Starting Preschool by Jamel C. Campbell, illustrated by Lydia Mba. Walker Books, 2024. 9781536231465
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Format: Hardcover picture book
What did you like about the book? It is time for Olu to start preschool – what an exciting transition time! But Olu feels nervous: maybe his teachers will be very scary or he isn’t going to make friends. On the walk to school, Olu can feel the nervousness in his tummy. When he arrives, to Olu’s surprise, his teacher is Jay, who is friendly and makes learning fun. The little boy is also trying to figure out what it is about Jay that feels familiar and by the end of the day, he has. He realizes Jay looks just like him and that feels so wonderful. Olu no longer is scared about being in preschool. The book features digital drawn characters of Olu’s African American family. The illustrations represent the diversity within the black community very well!
Anything you didn’t like about it? No, it was a very inspirational book.
To whom would you recommend this book? This is a great book for a child getting ready to transition from daycare to preschool!
Who should buy this book? Daycares, early learning centers and elementary schools
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Rose Metayer, Boston Latin School, Boston MA
Date of review: June 14, 2024
Youth Services Book Review 
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