Drawing Together

by Mimi Thebo

One of an innovative new series of linked stories designed to build reader confidence. Nobody wants to play with Lucy on her first day in school, so her teacher gives her some chalks and Lucy begins to draw animals on the playground. She doesn't notice Zack and Ibrahim sitting at opposite ends of a nearby bench, watching her. As the three stories progress, Lucy, Zack and Ibrahim overcome the awkwardness of being alone at a new school, and become the best of friends, drawing together. Walker Stories support beginner readers making the transition from picture books in an engaging, entertaining and accessible way. Each title features three highly-illustrated, individual short stories linked by one character, so readers can build familiarity and confidence.

64 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Celeana Sardothien · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really nice to read, although, I kind of have to say that because she's my mum, but yeah, RRRRRRREEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAADDDD IT!!!

[Claire Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really sweet!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a kid, probably not that many years after it was published considering I’m 19 now. It was definitely a favourite of mine. I vividly remember turning each page, looking at the drawings, doing that over and over… I even remember secretly staying up late and reading it quietly in my bedroom. My parents saw and obviously got mad at me lol, but I just really liked this book.

As I got older, I forgot it’s title eventually and spent multiple years trying to find out what it was called. Took a lot of googling. Then yesterday, I was helping my mother organise all the piles of books downstairs and I actually found my original copy!

I can’t explain exactly what it is that I loved about it, maybe that I was a pretty quiet kid who was often alone just like Lucy, I don’t know. But I wish I could tell the author how much this meant to me and how much I’ve thought about this book and how excited I was to finally get my hands on it again. Thank you for writing this.

[Erandeni Muñoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

El cuento es ideal para hacerle saber a los niñxs. Que deben de tener tolerancia, ser incluyentes y tener verdaderas amistades.

Se trata sobre el primer día de clases de Lucy, poco a poco logra adaptarse a su nueva escuela. Hasta tener mejores amigos. Muy lindo libro 😋

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice when they all become friends at the end

[Rose]

Lucy starts at a new school and doesn't know anyone, apart from Harriet. Harriet doesn't try and help Lucy settle in, she laughs when Lucy gets pushed around in line, doesn't ask her to sit with her and her friends at lunch, and teases her about not being able to skip. The teacher, Mrs McAfee, spots Lucy alone in the playground and gives her some coloured chalks. She goes on to draw a giraffe, lion and monkey in the playground, under the watchful eyes of Zack and Ibrahim, two other boys sitting alone. The story goes on and Zack and Ibrahim join in with the drawing. The children get closer over week two, sharing their lunches, drawing together at lunchtime, dressing the same. By week three, Lucy notices everyone has a best friend except her. She tries to win over Ibrahim, Ibrahim tries to claim Zack and Zack tries to claim Lucy. In the end they decide the three of them can be best friends.

This is a collection of three short and sweet stories, nicely illustrated, about being the new person at school, fitting in, friendship, creativity, boys and girls mixing, overcoming the pressures of school. It would be suitable for KS1 pupils looking to build confidence in their reading, either in guided reading sessions, or for independent reading.

[Jezneen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.

I read this story to my Year 1s where we had a child named Lucy and a child named Ibrahim, and the class absolutely loved this. A nice little reminder that having your name represented in stories matter too.