5 Great Books for Children Starting School

Sharing a story about positive and funny first day experiences can often bring some comfort. There are also a wide range of books that can encourage resilience and understanding and help to explain some of the finer points of getting along with your class mates in the classroom and playground. Take a look at a few of our old favourites and some great new releases on going to school.

Maddie’s First Day by Penny Matthews and Liz Anelli

It is Maddie’s first day of school and she has everything ready – her uniform, shoes, socks and hat. But there is one special thing that Maddie can’t leave behind – her blanky! Award winners Penny Matthews and Liz Anelli team up to bring us this wonderful picture book about the excitement of going to “big” school for the first time.

Resilience by Jayneen Sanders

Meet Emmi! She is resilient, independent and courageous. She always tries her best, and even when the going gets tough, Emmi never gives in.

This charming story uses verse and beautiful illustrations to model resilience, persistence, and the ability to face challenges with tenacity. Children who are resilient are brave, curious, confident and problem solvers. Nurturing these traits in our children will go a long way in helping them face the many challenges they will encounter throughout their lives. Also included are Discussion Questions for parents, caregivers and educators, and suggested activities to promote children’s resilience.

Mum at School by Eric Veille

Do you know what school is?

I didn’t know much about it until last Monday…

The first day of school can be tough. Sometimes you need your mum to hang around. Then, before you know it, she’s cutting and pasting and joining in.

But Mum snores during nap time and keeps everyone awake. She forgets to raise her hand and gets stuck in the play equipment. Perhaps Mum is too big for school – and it might actually be a whole lot more fun without her!

Wide Big World by Maxine Beneba Clarke
A beautiful children’s picture book about diversity from award-winning author Maxine Beneba Clarke and illustrator Isobel Knowles. Difference is everywhere, just look and see. This whole-wide-big-world is wondrous-unique. A gorgeous picture book about our diverse and wonderful world.

Starting School by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Anna Walker
Tim, Hannah, Sunita, Joe and Polly are all off to school for the first time. Would you like to meet them and see how they go? There are new friends to make, fun ways to learn, and lots of different things to discover.

From Jane Godwin and Anna Walker comes this beautiful book focusing on the experiences and feelings of five very different children as they begin at school for the first time. Jane’s simple words and ideas combine with Anna’s gentle and detailed illustrations to help children feel comfortable about taking this big step.