By Kate Adams from Collins Booksellers Thirroul
Starting school elicits a lot of strong, conflicting emotions – excitement, fear, worry – for both children and parents! Sharing stories like those in the books below lets kids know what they can expect from their own first day of school and provides reassurance that all feelings about starting school (good and bad!) are completely normal.
Going to Big School (by Laura Sieveking, illustrated by Danielle McDonald) introduces readers to two kids on their first day of Kindy. Ava is excited for the day ahead while Jack is nervous, and we follow the pair through their first day from start to finish. This gentle story familiarises students-to-be with the shape that their own first day at school will take and normalises all feelings about starting school.
In The Wild Guide to Starting School (Laura and Philip Bunting), we’re greeted by a motley group of Aussie animals who guide readers through what to expect from their “wildest adventure yet”. The Buntings have the best sense of humour; their silliness and warmth will put all readers at ease. Some of our favourite bits include the peek inside the mind of a teacher, the guide to making new friends (“Do not poop in the sandpit. You don’t make friends with poop.”) and the advice to put a cuddle from home in your pocket in case you find yourself feeling homesick.
A father and daughter share a day together before school starts in the gorgeous A Day That’s Ours (by Blake Nuto, illustrated by Vyara Boyadjieva). The story, told in soothing rhyme, celebrates the tiny ordinary moments that make time spent together feel so extraordinary. This is a wonderfully calming, thoughtful read – for anxious child and fretting parent alike! It’s sure to become part of the regular storytime rotation.
Britannica’s Ready for School Words: 1,000 Words for Big Kids (Hannah Campbell, illustrated by Sara Rhys) helps set young students up for success by establishing a foundation of literacy. Through seven families from different backgrounds, children learn new words relating to daily routines such as playtime and grocery shopping. Each page features fantastically detailed illustrations with words for objects and activities alongside prompts and definitions. And to top it off, the book makes a point of emphasising the power of words. Knowing these words doesn’t just make you a clever big kid, it means you’re able to tell jokes, ask for help and communicate with new friends.
We have a display in store of books on starting school to help local families prepare for the first day. Looking for more? We always keep a range of books on starting school and other first experiences in our specially curated Kids Conversation-Starters section, which you can find in store as well as on our website.
