Elephant in the Classroom shines a light on the issues faced by students who find school isolating and a challenge to their ability to learn and make friends.

Young Sophie finds her school environment difficult to cope with. There’s so much for her to try to remember, with all the rules and expectations and the noise adding to her sense of insecurity. Sophie is typical of children who find it a struggle just to get to school and stay there. This book provides a resource to help teachers, health professionals and families remove the stumbling blocks that discourage children like Sophie from thriving in school.

The story is also about friendship, and Sophie and Oliver’s relationship highlights the importance of fostering empathy and kindness in young children. Oliver is a friend to Sophie when she needs it most and this shows the power of connection and caring for and including others.

The beautiful artwork that Sophie’s class composes acts as a reminder that everyone has something special to contribute and that beauty and friendship can emerge when we work together.

 

By Siobhan Skipworth, the illustrator of When Anna Came to Stay.