New Picture Book Helps Young Ones Ease their Transition to School

The first day of school can be both exciting and scary for young children.  My Lil' First School, the third book in Toby Williams’s Brooke Lynn Adventure Series, addresses this issue and helps you get your child ready to step inside the classroom.
 
Join me on a Cat's Corner Book Spotlight  ....

• Preview this delightful new picture book
• Meet the author and illustrator (a dynamic duo!)
• Enjoy an excerpt
• Catch my interview with author Toby Williams
• Find my Catly review of My ‘Lil First School​

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​About the Book

 
Title: My Lil’ First School | Author: Toby Williams | Illustrator: Corrina Holyoake |  Publication Date: October 2019 | Publisher: Toby A Williams | Pages: 21 | Recommended Ages: 4-8

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​My Lil’ First School is the third book in Toby Williams's Brooke Lynn Adventure Series.

​The story follows Brook Lynn walking through the big front doors of her new school for the first time.  When she looks for her seat before the teacher comes in, she notices butterflies in her tummy.  After a warm smile from the teacher, being brave, meeting new friends and being kind to others ease her uncomfortable feelings of this new environment.  

​Hurry, there’s the school bell!
 

My backpack was full of goodies,
maybe too much just for me?

I noticed a boy had no lunch,
so I shared my sandwich and tea.
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Excerpt_My Lil' First School

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Q & As
with author Toby Williams
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Cat:       Is Brooke Lynn based on anybody you know?  
Toby:       My great-niece, Ava, was the main influence of Brooke Lynn’s character development.  I also see a lot of my younger self in Brooke Lynn’s antics and personality.

Cat:       What inspired you to write this book?
Toby:       My great-niece, Ava, had just turned 4 and was already talking about going to school (Pre-K) in the Fall.  When my niece, Jessica, sent a picture of Ava dressed up in her new outfit, backpack donned and looking like she just might keel over, it was exactly how I envisioned Brooke Lynn heading to her first day of school.  My Lil’ First School (Book 3) is dedicated to Ava.

Inspiration for Brooke Lynn

Cat:            What will Brooke Lynn be celebrating on December 15th?  
Toby:       This series will have its one-year milestone!  Since my first Brooke Lynn books was published December 15, 2018, a total of three books in my series hav been published to date.

​Cat:           What’s your next project?
Toby:        Ava is growing up quickly, and so is Brooke Lynn.  Being responsible with chores, following through on promises and thinking of others (selfless) will be the focus in the upcoming fourth book in The Brooke Lynn Adventures: When an abandoned puppy is left at the doorstep, will Brooke Lynn be able to keep her? What will it entail to show that Brooke Lynn is ready to care for a new member of the family?
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Cat:            If you could be a Disney character, who would you be, and why?
Toby:         Cinderella – she not only overcomes adversity but learns to find happiness in the smallest of tasks; her positive attitude throughout shines through as the Prince chooses her genuine, kind nature over pretentious, self-seeking young ladies.  It is the epitome of a fairytale!
 
Cat:            What’s your favorite dessert?
Toby:            Rocky Road; crazy for chocolate, marshmallows & nuts.   
 
Cat:            Favorite book you read as a child?
Toby:           Blueberries for Sal by Robert McClosky.  “Ka-plunk” – the sound of the blueberries hitting the empty bucket; I, like Sal, ate more berries than I brought home.  Growing up in New Hampshire, this book is a New England favorite classic.  And to this day, blueberries are my favorite berry.

Toby Williams's childhood fave read

 
Cat:               Favorite genre to read OR last book you finished?
Toby:            I read quite a bit – mostly fiction.  It’s a tie between historical romance such as Rhys Bowen’s The Tuscan Child, and suspenseful thrillers.  I just finished Robert Duggins’ The Eighth Sister, which was an excellent contemporary Russian-conspiracy thriller.         

Cat:              What else might readers like to know about you?
Toby:          As an avid golfer, I enjoy weekly competition with my two women’s golf groups.  The combination of being outside while while walking the golf course with girlfriends adds to the fun-loving competition of the game.  Every Friday, however, is dedicated to my husband as “our golf day” – something we have done together for years. 

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​My Review

My Lil’ First School by Toby Williams is the perfect picture book to help youngsters prepare for their school experience. Using a series of 4-line rhymes opposite charming illustrations by Corrina Holyoake, the book addresses uncertainties youngsters face as they transition to the classroom.

With Brooke Lynn as a role model, children learn how she prepares the night before and wakes early on her big day to catch the bus.  At school, her teacher’s warm smile eases the way, with art class  and making new friends further dissipating her worries.

Comprehension  questions at the end of the book help children process what they read.  Highly recommend My Lil’ First School for early readers, a delightful tale that instills confidence and positive attitudes for those crucial first days of school.

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Meet the Illustrator

CORRINA HOLYOAKE is a children’s illustrator and artist based in the seaside resort, Bognor Regis, in the South of England. 

Artist/Illustrator Corrina Holyoake

She has had a love for painting and writing from an early age and always wanted to do something creative when she grew up. As a child, she would spend hours drawing her favorite cartoon characters and illustrating her own stories.  Her love of creativity continued into adulthood through many mediums and artistic ventures.

After taking a sabbatical to raise her family and a subsequent difficult loss within her family, Corrina was guided to dust off her paintbrushes. From that day forward, her creativity has unleashed onto a whole new level and she was able to turn what was a hobby into her dream job. She adores bringing other peoples creations to life and works with authors and clients across the globe

​Facebook  |  Instagram   
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Meet the Author
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Author Toby A. Williams

TOBY A. WILLIAMS, born and raised in Nashua, New Hampshire, currently resides in the San Diego area of Southern California with her best friend, who also happens to be her husband of many years.  They enjoy travel, golf, helping out in the community and of course, reading and writing.  

​Her inspiration to write children’s stories was borne from her mother’s childhood reflections of a kind neighbor in New Hampshire.  This woman had a magical name, Tasha Tudor (1915-2008, American author & illustrator of children’s literature).  Toby’s mother spoke about the uniqueness Tasha Tudor had as a storyteller in capturing children’s imaginations.  Mother would say fondly to Toby, “Look at the cow-cow-moo-caddities.  That’s what Tasha Tudor calls cows!”

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Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Book Series Page  |  Author Page
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Your Turn  

Thanks for stopping by Cat's Corner and meeting Toby and Corrina.  I adore both these talented women, who brilliantly work together despite being separated by thousands of miles and living an ocean apart.  

​Brooke Lynn was ready for her first day!  What else helps a child succeed at school?  Please share in the comment section.

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