The Truth Pixie Goes to School; Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould

The Truth Pixie’s friend Aada has had a bad year. Her gran has died, her dad has lost his job, she has had to move to a different town and has started at a new school. All Aada wants is an easy life. All she wants is friends at her new school and to fit in and to be accepted but she may have to pretend to be someone that she isn’t and give up her one true friend…

This splendid little read packs some big messages, is thought-provoking and provides lots of opportunities for interesting and pertinent discussions. It is told in rhyming verse and has brilliant illustrations by the pencil wizard that is Chris Mould. The Truth Pixie helps readers understand that it is OK to feel sad and follows on nicely from the first Truth Pixie book. This read explores the issues around being different and not fitting in and whether we accept who we are or do we act ‘normal’ and act to please others in order to be accepted. It also raises the problem with the bullying of those who are perceived as different.

Aada has started a new school and, like most of us, she just wants to fit in. But having a Truth Pixie with you draws unwanted attention. Starting a new school is always tough and Aada just wants to make friends. But the other children think she is weird. Aada lives in a tiny house with only her father, dresses in shabby clothes, doesn’t have much money, talks differently and is best friends with a pixie.

In her pursuit of friendship and to be accepted by her peers, Aada is forced to question her values and what she believes in. She wants to be included in games and conversations and not feel like an outsider, picked on or called names. Separating herself from Truth Pixie seems to be the easy solution to being accepted at school but should she be someone she isn’t just to fit in? Is it better to be yourself or be the person that people want to be friends with? Aada is trapped in a difficult situation, live a lie and have friends or be truthful to herself and remain an outsider.

This is such a valuable lesson to children - being themselves is more than enough and if others do not value and like them for who they are then these people are not worth having as friends. It is never worth being someone you are not just to fit in… why be ‘normal’ when you can be you? Be who you are, being yourself is more than enough.

Recommended for 6+