130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

Happy Long Weekend! We're open all 3 days! 📚 Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

King of the Classroom

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
King of the Classroom follows a confident young boy as he embarks on his first day of nursery. Full of excitement and pride, he dresses himself, enjoys a hearty breakfast, and eagerly steps into a vibrant classroom full of new friends and experiences. The story celebrates milestones, self-respect, and kindness within a diverse school environment, capturing the infectious enthusiasm of a child ready to make his mark.
Read More
Format: Hardback
$1999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for children aged 3 to 6, this book is perfect for young readers preparing for their first day of school, along with parents and educators aiming to encourage confidence and kindness in early school experiences.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A confident little boy takes pride in his first day of kindergarten.

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR IS A RISING STAR: This is Derrick Barnes' first book since winning a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Honor, and an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award for Crown earlier this year. DIVERSE CHARACTERS: The narrator and his family are black and that isn't a focal point of the story. UPBEAT INTRODUCTION TO SCHOOL: Children getting ready to start school will feel reassured by the narrator's delight in every part of his school day. STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF BOOSTING KIDS' SELF-ESTEEM: This quote by Civil Rights leader Benjamin Mays appears in the front matter: "A child must learn early to believe that he is somebody worthwhile and that he can do many praiseworthy things. The child must have the love of family and the protection they give in order to LIVE and FLOURISH."

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Age range 3 to 6

An upbeat story about a confident little boy who takes pride in his first day of nursery.

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone—and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be a part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm. And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements—and then wake up to start another day.

Necessary nourishment, infectiously joyous. - Kirkus, starred review

This is a king whose power comes from self respect and kindness toward all the members of his diverse classroom. - The New York Times

Another brilliant title from Scallywag...This beautifully drawn, infectiously enthusiastic book will help prepare children for their first day of school... the book subtly introduces themes of self-respect, kindness and the joy of a diverse classroom. - The Bookseller

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Starred review from Kirkus praises the book as "necessary nourishment, infectiously joyous." The New York Times highlights the boy's power derived from self-respect and kindness towards all classmates. The Bookseller calls it "a beautifully drawn, infectiously enthusiastic book" that gently introduces themes of self-respect, kindness, and diversity.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781912650361

Publisher: Scallywag Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 02 April 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Scallywag Press

Illustration: Full colour throughout

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 228.0mm

Height: 254.0mm

Weight: 405g

Pages: 32

About the Author

Derrick Barnes is from Kansas City, MO. He is a graduate of Jackson State University with a BA degree in Marketing. He is the author of the critically acclaimed picture book CROWN: An Ode To The Fresh Cut which won a multitude of literay awards including a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Honor, and the 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Award, making it one of the most decorated picture books in the history of children's literature. He also wrote the bestselling chapter book series Ruby and the Booker Boys. Derrick owns the copy-writing company Say Word Creative Communications and created the popular blog Raising the Mighty, where he "chronicles the experience of bringing up four beautiful Black boys in America." He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and their four sons. Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught illustrator, doll maker, and crafter who studied fashion illustration at FIT and children's book illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She is the author and illustrator of Let Freedom Sing and Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table and has illustrated numerous children's books. Vanessa lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and a very rambunctious cat named Stripes.

Also by Derrick Barnes

View all
  • Queen of the Classroom
    Age range 3 to 6 Get ready for your first day at nursery school with this exuberant little girl! Queen of the Classroom by Derrick Barnes introduces us to MJ, who is more than ready for her first day of school. With her hair freshly braided and her 'first day at school' outfit, she is excited to share all the...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Crown
    Derrick Barnes's smooth, fresh words and Gordon C. James's lush, vibrant illustrations capture the confidence, pride, and magic black and brown boys feel the moment they get a new haircut and admire their own beautiful reflections in the mirror. A Newbery Honor Book A Caldecott Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor...
    Hardback
    $5300
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Victory. Stand!
    On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-metre sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death...
    Hardback
    Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    Fight or Flight: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (21)
    When the going gets tough, what’s a wimpy kid to do? In Fight or Flight, Greg Heffley faces his biggest challenge yet as he becomes a target for the school bully. Luckily for Greg, his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, takes karate, so at least Greg’s got someone in his corner. But an unexpected twist makes Greg realize he’s facing an uphill...
    Paperback
    $1699
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    The Sixth Faction
    Beatrice Prior stands on the brink of a decision every person in her world must make: five factions, five futures, five lives. She has a plan: she's going to make the bravest choice, and leave Abnegation behind to join Dauntless, even though it means leaving her family behind. But when tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, everything changes—her world, her...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Detective Beans Colouring Club
    New Release
    Detective Beans Colouring Club
    Help Detective Beans solve the case of the missing colours! Join the Colouring Club now! Join the Detective Beans Colouring Club! Inside you'll find 40 removable colouring pages featuring scenes from all over Cat Town. Filled with all the characters you know and love from the Detective Beans graphic novels like Biscuits, Beans' mum, Mr Brickle, Bear, Detective Baby Bird...
    By Li Chen
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Wahine
    New Release
    Wahine
    From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Lottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas
    From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! But this time... it's not about Lottie! From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! And it's CHRISTMAS! In The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks we spent the holiday season with...
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    On Sale
    21% off
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    Paperback
    $1500
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Sweet As Looky Book
    Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...
    Hardback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
    Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...
    Paperback
    $1400
    Elsewhere:
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    15% off
    New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Mari the Unwonderful Witch
    A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.