A NEW storybook has been released to help young people who are about to start school.

St Swithuns’s Prep School headteacher Jonathan Brough wrote the book, entitled Alice and Sophia go to St Swithun’s Prep, book from the perspective of the children.

It tells the story of two siblings - one in Reception, one in Year Five - and a typical day in their lives at St Swithun’s.

The reader follows the characters around as they go to assembly, join their lessons, have lunch and break, go swimming and enjoy clubs and music.

There is also an audio version of the book complete with page-turn sound effects provided by the St Swithun’s Prep music department.

The book is intended to be useful for all pre-schoolers and their parents, whichever school they will be joining. For those children who will eventually attend St Swithun’s, the text and illustrations also present the opportunity to recognise the teachers and anticipate the daily routines which they can expect.

Mr Brough said: “I very much hope the book can be read and enjoyed by as many children as possible. If it helps them to make the transition to school when the time comes, I will have done what I set out to do. I hope you enjoy everyone enjoys reading it.”