cover
At the school doorway on a bright morning, Adel stands wiping tears while Ms Tazi kneels, hand extended, with Mum's parked car visible at the curb.
Adel's eyes filled with tears as her mum's car pulled up to school. She didn't want to say goodbye. Adel cried as she walked to the door. Ms Tazi smiled warmly and held out her hand. "Good morning, Adel," she said softly. Inside, Nikita waved from the reading corner. Liam was building with blocks. Myra called out, "Come play with us!" Ina was painting at the easel. Adel wiped her tears and took a small step forward.
Inside the sunny classroom block area, Adel, Nikita, and Liam laugh as a tall colorful block tower topples, wooden pieces scattering across the carpet beside low shelves of toys.
Adel sat down next to Nikita in the reading corner. They looked at a book about butterflies together. "Look at the pretty colors!" Nikita said. Then Liam ran over. "Want to build a tower with me?" he asked. Adel nodded and smiled a little. They stacked blocks high until they tumbled down. Everyone laughed. Myra brought over dress-up clothes. "Let's pretend we're superheroes!" she said. Adel's tears were drying now.
Outdoors on the playground under late-afternoon light, Adel soars forward on a swing, hair flying, while Ina pumps a neighboring swing and Ms Tazi watches smiling beside the metal frame.
Ms Tazi gathered everyone for music time. She handed out tambourines and shakers. Adel picked a small drum. They sang songs and made happy sounds together. Next, Ms Tazi showed them how to use the computer. Ina helped Adel click on colorful shapes. "You're doing great!" Ms Tazi said with a big smile. Then they went outside to play on the swings. Adel laughed as the wind blew through her hair. School was fun!
In the softly lit classroom at pick-up time, Adel beams and holds up a red-yellow-blue flower painting, while Mum crouches to hug her, backpacks hanging on nearby pegs.
At the end of the day, Adel painted a picture of flowers. She used red, yellow, and blue paint. "This is for Mum," she told Ms Tazi. When her mum arrived, Adel ran to her with a big smile. "I had so much fun today!" she said. She showed her the painting. Mum gave her a warm hug. Adel still missed Mum in the mornings, but now she knew school was wonderful too. Tomorrow would be another great day!