Julia Denos

Ida is heading into her first day of school, and she is not going alone. She brings a special blue string attached to Dotty. Dotty is a large, colorfully spotted creature with horns, and she also happens to be completely invisible. At first, Ida feels comfortable because she notices other children have brought imaginary friends to class. But as the school year rolls on, the other invisible companions disappear. Soon, Ida is the only one left holding a string, and her classmates begin to tease her. She starts to wonder if there is still room for her special friend in the real world. This beautifully illustrated story captures the quiet worries of growing up and the bravery it takes to stay true to yourself. You will love discovering the secret surprises waiting in the classroom and learning that imagination makes everything better.