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Alastair McAllister Goes to School is a must read book that has all the elements that make a great children’s book.

Synopsis

Alastair McAllister Goes to School is a meaningful story about loving yourself just the way you are and appreciating the differences in others.

Meet Alastair McAllister! He's a lovable, long haired cat, heading to his first day of kittygarten at the Acatemy! He’s excited to ride on the school bus, make friends and learn new things. He’s sure it’s going to be a PURRFECT day! But from the moment he meets his new classmates, they tease him for looking different. Throughout the day Alastair struggles to fit in. He feels he can’t do anything right. That night, he comes up with a unique plan to gain their acceptance.

Will his plan work? Will Alastair be accepted by his classmates?

Beautiful illustrations capture Alastair’s emotions from his first day struggles through his journey to be accepted. Readers will laugh and cheer for Alastair! For the younger readers, a butterfly, with a special meaning from the author, is hidden on every page.

This story combines themes of diversity, inclusion, self-acceptance and appreciating the differences in each other.

At the end of the book Alastair has a page for “Things to think about.” The questions are great conversation starters for classrooms and families.

Alastair McAllister Goes to School is a must read. It has all the elements that make a great children’s book – simple and easy to read, beautiful illustrations, teaches and important lesson, and flows nicely from beginning to end.


Alastair is ready for Kittygarten! He is excited and believes it will be a purrfect day! Unfortunately, things do not go as planned. The other kittens make fun of the way he looks and during lunch, they make fun of his lunchbox (which is flat and not a bowl like the others.) Alastair is really upset and eats alone.


During recess, Alastair is having fun and forgets about his sadness. That is until everyone plays hide-and-seek and Alastair is easy to find because of his fluffy tail.

Alastair tells his mom about his day and how the kittens treated him. She tells him he is perfect the way he is. But Alastair does not believe her and at night makes a plan so the other kitten can like him.


This is such an adorable story. Using the kitten is a great way to help children tap into their emotions. As they read, kids will feel bad for Alastair and question why the other kittens are making fun of him (especially since he is very adorable!) This will help children learn how to treat others. They will learn that everyone is different, everyone is perfect in their own way, and we should respect these differences. Kids will also learn to love themselves and be happy with who they are.

The story has a great flow to it – I kept turning the pages to keep reading. The illustrations are bright and beautiful. They support the story very well.


Highly recommend reading this!

Reviewed by
Kay B

I am an independent author of children's books, Instagram book reviewer and lover of books. I have written three books to date and have recently discovered my love of reviewing pictures books that are not only fun to read but teach child important lessons. Fan of Berenstain Bears and Amelia Bedelia.

Synopsis

Alastair McAllister Goes to School is a meaningful story about loving yourself just the way you are and appreciating the differences in others.

Meet Alastair McAllister! He's a lovable, long haired cat, heading to his first day of kittygarten at the Acatemy! He’s excited to ride on the school bus, make friends and learn new things. He’s sure it’s going to be a PURRFECT day! But from the moment he meets his new classmates, they tease him for looking different. Throughout the day Alastair struggles to fit in. He feels he can’t do anything right. That night, he comes up with a unique plan to gain their acceptance.

Will his plan work? Will Alastair be accepted by his classmates?

Beautiful illustrations capture Alastair’s emotions from his first day struggles through his journey to be accepted. Readers will laugh and cheer for Alastair! For the younger readers, a butterfly, with a special meaning from the author, is hidden on every page.

This story combines themes of diversity, inclusion, self-acceptance and appreciating the differences in each other.

At the end of the book Alastair has a page for “Things to think about.” The questions are great conversation starters for classrooms and families.

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4 Comments

Valerie RamerI hope you enjoy this 'tail' of Diversity and Inclusion! Alastair McAllister Goes to School.
0 likes
over 3 years ago
Wendy Wileyhigh five!!!
0 likes
over 3 years ago
Katie WeaverWe love Alastair! <3
0 likes
over 3 years ago
Debi VargaAlastair McAllister Goes to School is a good story for children at any age because it helps young people relate to that feeling of not fitting in and how Alastair overcomes this. The book exudes with wit, charm and great illustrations.
0 likes
over 3 years ago
About the author

Valerie is Alastair's real life Mommy! Valerie has raised 2 amazing human beings, Rebecca and David, and lots of kittens. She has her degree in theater and has worked as an actress, talent agent and acting coach. She has also written and directed children's theater in the Seattle area. view profile

Published on September 28, 2021

0-1000 words

Genre:Picture Books

Reviewed by