• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: k to 2
• Reading age: 4 to 7

Moving can be scary, but by the end of his first day at his new school, Roy is happy to find a piece of his old home, Jamaica, in his new home.

The first day at a new school is nerve-wracking enough, never mind when it’s in a new country! In this lively picture book from award-winning storyteller Itah Sadu, Roy realizes he may come to love his new home as much as he loves his old home.

Written as an email to a friend back home, this picture book tells the story of Roy, whose family has just moved to North America from Jamaica. His new home is different from his old home — even the sun feels cold! His nerves ease, though, as welcome reminders of home follow him through his day. His neighbor gives him a button as a gift for his first day of school. The principal tells him about the soccer team and his new class makes him feel welcome. Everything is looking up until Roy goes to show his classmates his new button and he can’t find it! He rushes back to the principal’s office where they look up and down and all around for the button. Thanks to his powers of observation, Roy finds it in an unexpected place and is able to show it to his new friends. The friendly people he meets, and their shared love of Bob Marley, make for a good start at his new school.

Sadu captures the voice of a young boy in a new country in this story about finding a new home while still staying proud of where you’re from. Harlem-based artist Alix Delinois shows the joy of making new friends with his vibrant, layered paintings.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

ITAH SADU est connue pour ses talents de conteuse et ses livres pour enfants. Elle a publié How The Coconut Got Its Face, Name Calling, Ta chambre est un désastre! et Christophe change de nom. Elle est copropriétaire d’une librairie populaire de Toronto, A Different Booklist. Itah Sadu a reçu le prix Marilyn Lastman lors de la semaine des arts, en 2004 (Toronto Arts Council Foundation Awards).

Itah Sadu is a distinguished storyteller and children's author. She has published How The Coconut Got Its Face, Name Calling, Christopher Please Clean Up Your Room, and Christopher Changes His Name. She is also co-owner of a popular Toronto bookstore, A Different Booklist. Itah Sadu was recently honoured with the Marilyn Lastman Award at Artsweek 2004 (Toronto Arts Council Foundation Awards).

Itah Sadu's profile page

ALIX DELINOIS is a fine artist and art teacher living in Harlem, New York. He was born in Saint Marc, Haiti, and moved to Harlem as a child. He has illustrated three children's books written by award-winning authors Walter Dean Myers, Edwidge Danticat and Gretchen Woelfle.

Alix Delinois' profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens

Bright acrylic and mixed-media illustrations further establish the upbeat tone in this story about finding comforting touchstones in a new home.

Booklist

Sadu … treats a nerve-wracking time of transition for any child with honesty and understanding.

Quill & Quire

The bold, warm, and expressive illustrations add depth to the text.

School Library Journal

A much-needed window and mirror of immigrant experience for young readers.

Kirkus Reviews