Book Review of My First Day of School
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The Children’s Book Review
My First Day of School
Written by Ricardo Santa Cruz
Illustrated by Yuko Kondo
Ages: 4-6 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN: 979-8990683501
What to Expect: First day of school, inner voice, peer-relationships, learning, self-confidence.
Addressing the familiar worries that plague any child on the first day of school, this meditative follow-up to The Boy and His Higher Self reintroduces readers to the cuddly and utterly supportive inner voice—this time as he helps the main character prepare for school.
It’s the first day of school, and as a boy sets off on his bicycle filled with doubts and worries, a familiar presence announces itself: the fluffy, wise, and cloud-like higher self whose whole job in life is to guide him. Through a series of gentle exchanges, the higher self reminds him that he has the power to make his time at school a success. Even though the boy is feeling insecure, the higher self reminds him that the other children are feeling just the same! Equipped with the wisdom of this inner voice, he has everything he needs to be himself, boost others up, and move through his school with love, compassion, and courage.
Their exchanges show that the boy has grown in confidence since the first book, but still shares the relatable insecurities about making friends, fitting in, and being accepted for himself. As in the first book, the digital illustrations are warm and inviting, mingling dreamlike images of clouds, birds, and rainbows with familiar school settings like the cafeteria and lockers. Symbolic objects (a spread of bright flowers; the tiny gnome that reappears page after page) add richness to each scene, encouraging readers to see both the inner and outer worlds at the same time.
Optimistic and encouraging, My First Day of School is a great addition to the series, perfect for spiritually curious families looking for an accessible, kid-friendly entry point into ideas about intuition and inner guidance.
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About the Author
Ricardo Santa Cruz currently lives in Xala, located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, a project of which he is a co-founding partner. All proceeds from The Boy and His Higher Self will be given to The Xala Foundation, aimed at helping to educate and bring opportunities to marginalized communities from the region.
You can learn more at theboyandhishigherself.com and thexalafoundation.org.
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