TOM AND SMALL

Vulliamy’s follow-up to Small (2002), pre-schooler Tom’s favorite little mouse doll, follows a familiar path blazed by the now-classic George Shrinks. Tom’s anxiety dream, sprung from having to leave Small behind the first day of preschool, imagines him shrinking to play with Small and even flying a toy airplane. The fresh twist here is that they fly to the school and foresee the warm welcome Tom will receive, thus allaying his fears, allowing him to leave Tom with his mother and having a happy, fun-filled, distress-free day. Coupled with all the fun Tom had with Small in his dream, it’s hard to imagine a better life. Vulliamy’s winsome watercolor characters are all smiles in this happy bedtime story that should dispel all fears of leaving loved ones behind on the first day of school. (Picture book. 2-5)