When you start school, it’s important to be prepared: Pencils, pens, notebooks, calculators, and something to put it all in—a backpack! Did you know that today’s holiday strives to make sure students wear their backpacks safely? I’m sure Milly, the star of the following picture book, wears her backpack proudly for her…

Milly is so excited to finally be accepted to Unicorn School! There’s only one problem. She’s NOT a unicorn. That won’t stop Milly. She puts on a disguise that she’s sure will fool everyone. But will it? This book is adorable and perfect for unicorn lovers, back-to-school jitters, and those who just want to be accepted. Fun concept, engaging writing, colorful illustrations, and unicorns (or not)!
 
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For this day, I hope you buy any book that you connect with, but if you need a recommendation, I have one. It’s unfortunate, but I think this story is needed in U.S. classrooms, libraries, and homes. School lock-down drills are a serious topic that could be tricky to approach in a picture book, but the author-illustrator does a beautiful job in:

ONE THURSDAY AFTERNOON tells the story of Ava who, while with her Granddad in the park, shares how scared she was during a lockdown drill at school. Granddad patiently waits until Ava is ready to talk. When she is, he listens and acknowledges Ava’s feelings, and encourages her to spend time in nature and to paint using all her senses. What I liked about this book is how it tackles a heavy subject (that is, unfortunately, all too relevant today) in a direct manner. The grownup doesn’t solve the child’s problem or tell her that everything is okay. Instead, he provides a safe space for the child to sit in silence and then listens when the child is ready to share. He validates her feelings, offers comfort and support, and suggests a creative outlet. The story’s gentle arc resolves in a heartfelt, hopeful ending, followed by an author’s note that includes the inspiration behind the story and suggestions of what readers can do when fear creeps in our lives. What I love even more about the book is the art. Barbara DiLorenzo’s watercolor illustrations are dreamy. The soft color palette of golds, oranges, greens, and blues capture the calmness of a fall day in the park and match the serious nature of the text without being drab or depressing. I think this book is a must for classrooms, libraries, and homes, especially in today’s climate. 
 
Thank you to Flyaway Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review (which was voluntary)!
 
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Additional Resource: 
I think ONE THURSDAY AFTERNOON could be a great resource to support both children and grownups when dealing with the scary topic of school lockdowns. If you’re interested in an additional resource for an older child (preteen/teen), Worth Noting – A Kids Podcast About Current Events recently produced the episode “On the Topic of Mass Shootings.” The kid-appropriate episode shares information about the topic and how, “no matter how sad and scary they are to talk about, these mass shootings are Worth Noting.” Here is the link if you’d like to take a listen:
 https://worth-noting.simplecast.com/episodes/on-the-topic-of-mass-shooting