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Onjali Q. Raúf, Author
Pippa Curnick, Illustrator
Imprint: Hodder Children's Books
Publication date: April 24, 2025
Category: Picture storybooks
ISBN: 9781526364661
Imprint: Hodder Children's Books
Publication date: September 12, 2024
Category: Picture storybooks
ISBN: 9781526364654
A stunning new picture book from Onjali Q. Raúf and Pippa Curnick.
There’s a new girl in my class. She has eyes as wide and as golden as a tiger’s, a face as pale as a glass of milk, and hair as shiny as a mirror. I’d like to be her friend. But she never wants to play with me in the playground or make sandcastles in the sandpit.
The cleverest people I know say that the new girl is sad because she had to leave her home, her family, her school, her toys, her books and all her friends too.
But I’ve got a plan! There’s something I can do to make her feel better when she’s missing everything she’s left behind . . .
With bold, beautiful artwork by Pippa Curnick, this heartfelt story about the power of friendship and kindness shows young readers what steps they can take to make refugee children feel welcome.
Onjali Q. Raúf is the founder of Making Herstory, an organisation mobilising men, women and children from all walks of life to tackle the abuse and trafficking of women and girls in the UK and beyond. She is also the founder of O’s Refugee Aid Team, which provides support for refugee families surviving in Calais and Dunkirk.
She is an award-winning and best-selling author of books for children that tackle the issues of today. Her titles include The Boy at the Back of the Class, The Star Outside My Window, The Night Bus Hero, and The Lion Above the Door.
Pippa Curnick grew up in rural Essex and studied at Camberwell College of Art. She graduated from the University of Derby with a First Class degree in illustration. Pippa’s picture book Lucie Goose was shortlisted for the Evening Standard’s Oscar’s First Book Prize. Her website is www.pippacurnick.com and you can follow her on Insta @pippa_curnick and on Twitter @PippaCurnick
Topic: Empathy, English, PSHE & Citizenship
Related Book: The Girl at the Front of the Class
Book Creator: Pippa Curnick, Onjali Q. Raúf
A personalisable welcome sign for your classroom to help welcome new students into your school or library. Inspired by the picture book The Girl at the Front of the Class
Also Available: A Collaborative Art Project , Teaching Resources and a Welcome Poster
Topic: Empathy, English, PSHE & Citizenship
Related Book: The Girl at the Front of the Class
Book Creator: Pippa Curnick, Onjali Q. Raúf
Download this welcome poster for your classroom which has five tips for how you and your students can welcome new students. Ideal for encouraging empathy and understanding with KS1 and KS2 pupils
Inspired by the picture book The Girl at the Front of the Class
Also Available: A Collaborative Art Project, Teaching Resources and Welcome Sign
Topic: Art, Empathy, English, PSHE & Citizenship
Related Book: The Girl at the Front of the Class
Book Creator: Pippa Curnick, Onjali Q. Raúf
Help young children understand and empathise with the refugee experience, with this moving picture book from Onjali Q. Raúf, the bestselling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, and illustrated by Pippa Curnick. Told with heart and humour, this story of friendship and kindness provides an early conversation starter to the topic of refugees for children in Key Stage 1 and 2.
This pack includes discussion questions, activity sheets and everything you need to make a kindness display
Key Themes: PSHE | Art | English | Empathy | Creative Writing
Also Available: A Collaborative Art Project, Welcome Poster and Welcome Sign
Related Book: The Girl at the Front of the Class
Book Creator: Pippa Curnick, Onjali Q. Raúf
Help young children understand and empathise with the refugee experience, with this moving picture book from Onjali Q. Raúf, the bestselling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, and illustrated by Pippa Curnick. Told with heart and humour, this story of friendship and kindness provides an early conversation starter to the topic of refugees for children in Key Stage 1 and 2.
This pack contains everything you need to make a classroom display welcoming everyone into your class and highlighting your classes values.
Key Themes: PSHE | Art
Also Available: Teaching Resources, Welcome Poster and Welcome Sign