Ladybirds Do Not Go To Daycare

By Ali Rutstein & Niña Nill

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Ali Rutstein is also the author of A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet and Kittens Do Not Care For Baths (again with NiñaNill). Her work is characterised by a gentle humour and skilled storytelling. Niña Nill is an accomplished illustrator notable for her bold bright colours and expressive artwork.

Young Ravi is anxious about going to daycare for the first time and finds all sorts of reasons for not going. Wearing his favourite ladybird outfit he explains to his patient and understanding Mum that ladybirds don’t do all sorts of things – eat cornflakes, wear jumpers – and they definitely don’t go to daycare. He says ‘I might stay home today and crawl around the veggie patch instead’. Gradually his mum soothes his fears, explains the many enjoyable activities available and Ravi plucks up his courage and discovers that daycare can be fun after all.

Ali Rutstein writes with her trademark humour and a warm understanding of how young people feel and think. That mother deserves a medal! Ravi is a gorgeous little boy brought to glorous life by Niña Nill’s expressive and colourful illustrations.

Each of Ravi’s varying moods is captured in vibrant colour. There are charming touches throughout the book – the cornflakes packet has a white label on it with  handwritten Aphids, the endpapers are bold bright ladybird spots, and the other children at the daycare are also sporting various animal tails, ears, and wings so Ravi is not alone and blends in perfectly.

This charming story is an excellent discussion starter for parents and children starting daycare as well as a satisfying read on its own.

Niña Nill is one of the artists exhibiting at the  2025 Book Links Exhibition: StoryArt at the Richard Randall Gallery 4 -13 April.

Bright Light Hardie Grant Children’s Publiser 2023

Niña Nill