When it comes to children’s books there are many types for different age groups and reading abilities. Early reader chapter books move young page turners up to the next level on their reading journey, bridging the gap between picture books and full-length junior fiction and middle-grade novels – they offer these emerging readers the perfect blend of short text and illustration. These gently paced stories introduce short chapter breaks to break up longer passages of text, have relatable characters and add in just enough complexity to the story that helps to build reading confidence without overwhelming young minds. At roughly thirty to fifty pages, early readers give children a sense of accomplishment as they tackle short chapters independently. Engaging illustrations provide visual cues to support comprehension, while humour and familiar scenarios keep reluctant readers eagerly turning pages. Oh Susannah is a series of early reader chapter books that follows the adventures of a young girl that young readers will be able to relate to.
The first instalment in the Oh Susannah series by Carole P. Roman is Oh Susannah: It’s in the Bag. Centred around nearly eight-year-old Susannah Maya Logan, it captures the whirlwind of feelings that come when small worries accumulate into something much bigger. From the moment Susannah wakes up to find herself with soggy cereal and no gym shoes, young readers will instantly relate to the frustration of daily mishaps. As the misadventures continue with lost homework, a misplaced lunch and an invitation to a creepy sleepover, overwhelmed Susannah buries her problems in her overstuffed backpack rather than confront the issues or ask for help from her extremely busy parents. The narrative cleverly externalises anxiety in a way children can see, feel and understand.
Overall, Oh Susannah: It’s in the Bag is a very charming story that has been carefully written to explain to young readers that burying problems won’t help solve them and dealing with things as they arise, whether by yourself or asking for help, will make life so much easier. The strength of the early reader lies in the author’s ability to balance humour with heartfelt lessons. Young readers will delight in the running joke about Susannah’s father’s “third eye,” hidden in the back of his head (that Susannah is still trying to find – something that all children will be very aware of), while giggling at her dramatic reactions when each new problem is buried in her massive backpack. While it has plenty of humour that children will enjoy and can relate to, the story never loses sight of its core message: burying worries only makes them grow heavier. And as in life, when problems become too much they explode, as with Susannah’s backpack spilling her problems across the kitchen floor. From this, Susannah and young readers will learn that sharing any fears and worries with trusted adults can transform that stomach-churning anxiety into actionable solutions. This gentle lesson empowers young readers to recognise that asking for help is not a weakness but a brave step toward taking control and resolving any issues.
The illustrations by Mateya Arkova bring the anxiety of Susannah’s worry world vividly to life. Using bold, expressive art that punctuates every chapter, the illustrations give a visual clues to Susannah’s changing emotions – her wide eyes brimming with dread, her shoulders slumped in defeat and later, a hopeful smile as she unpacks each concern. These layers of detail invite children to examine each page, spotting hidden elements like the towering pile of papers teetering inside Susannah’s bag or the playful chaos of scattered snacks. These images are for more than playful decoration to accompany the story, they help to reinforce comprehension while inviting discussion about what Susannah might be feeling at each turn.
The story is spread out over nine concise chapters, which span 44 pages – a good length for early readers. Each chapter ends with a gentle cliffhanger – what will Susannah do about the forgotten homework? How will she retrieve her lunch? – all of which encourage kids to read on with a sense of anticipation. With child-friendly accessible language and repetitive phrasing, it helps to build vocabulary while the brisk pacing ensures even the most reluctant reader won’t lose interest. Readers will enjoy its light humour and relatable scenarios.
Ultimately, Oh Susannah: It’s in the Bag is a great read for youngsters embarking on chapter books. The story very cleverly makes use of an overstuffed backpack as a metaphor for Susannah’s anxities and fears, allowing children to relate with the story and help them while learning to navigate these new and different emotions. With its blend of humour, empathy and practical wisdom, it will not only engage young readers but also teach them to face their own worries and fears head-on. It is a story that not only entertains but helps with teaching emotional resilience – Susannah’s journey offers both a mirror and a roadmap explaining that when problems spill out, solutions are never far behind.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £12.99 (Paperback) / £6.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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