Books About Big School
9 books to get your child excited about starting school!
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Books make big feelings and life-changing events more manageable for little people, and if your child is off to school next year, a few well-chosen stories will work to ease first day nerves and shift the focus to fun.
There are stacks of great books to borrow or buy, and if you’re looking for a few recommendations, then look no further!
We’ve asked an early learning expert, school teacher and famous author/illustrator to name their top titles for school-starters, and these books are a great introduction to this next chapter in your child’s life.
The first three recommendations come from Centre Director, Shanice Thein-Soe.
Shanice has 12 years’ experience in childcare, and manages an award-winning centre called Discovery at Play Vasse in Western Australia.
She’s helped hundreds of early learners to make a smooth transition to school and is a big fan of these books:
- Starting School by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker.
Shanice says, “This book is great because it shows how five children can have different experiences when starting school. Tim, Hannah, Sunita, Joe and Polly learn how to make new friends and deal with big feelings in a fun and educational way, and this story gets children excited about school by giving them lots of wonderful things to look forward to and discover.”
- First Day by Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley.
Shanice says this book is helpful if the move to school feels a bit daunting.
“It shows how children can feel nervous when starting something new, such as school, and helps them understand that we all feel nervous at times. This book also encourages children to see the fun they’ll have.”
- Spot Goes to School by Eric Hill.
This book is a classic, with developmental upsides for under-fives.
Shanice says, “The liftable flaps help preschoolers to hone the fine motor skills they need to grip a pencil in class, and Spot is so cute! He’s always popular with the kids in my Kindy room, and parents and educators love him too.”
Our school teacher tips come from Tiffany McCarthy.
Tiffany teaches Prep at Eumundi State School in Queensland and loves this time of the year because she gets to introduce herself to children at the local kindy, host practise sessions in the Prep playground, take part in Orientation days, and generally share her enthusiasm for all things school-related!
Tiffany says books are a great way to build excitement and confidence before school starts, and she recommends these reads if your preschooler is getting set for Prep (or Kindergarten):
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Ruth Harper.
This book has emboldened millions of children to embrace early learning without Mum or Dad, and Tiffany says the ‘Kissing Hand’ strategy is perfect for school-starters, too.
She explains that, “Mrs Raccoon plants a little kiss in Chester Raccoon’s palm to ease separation worries, and parents can do the same by putting a little kiss in their child’s hand in the morning that will stay with them the whole school day.”
“If a child needs to feel their parent’s love while learning, they can put their hand on their cheek and love will travel straight to their heart.”
- Possum Goes To School by Melanie Carter and Nichola Oram.
Tiffany says, “This is a humorous look at a possum at school, but it also shows the different areas at school, such as the science room, art room and library. This helps children to understand that there are different kinds of teachers and subjects at school, and this piques their particular areas of interest.”
- Tom Goes to Kindergarten by Margaret Wild and David Legge.
Tiffany says, “In Queensland, we improvise the title to be ‘Tom Goes to Prep’ and this is a great story to borrow from the library because it shows children that they still get to play, imagine, dress-up and have fun at school, just like at kindy.”
Author and illustrator, Matt Cosgrove, rounds out our reading list.
Matt is a dad of two who’s sold more than one million kids’ books!
He’s most famous for his Macca the Alpaca picture books, but if you have a middle-grader, keep an eye out for his new Worst Week Ever! series, created with wife, Eva Amores.
As a modern parent and masterful creative, Matt definitely knows a great book when he reads one, and he recommends these contemporary titles if your child is off to school soon:
- Going to Big School by Laura Sieveking and Danielle McDonald.
This book is out on 1 December, and Matt says, “It beautifully captures the first day at big school, told from the very different perspectives of two children – Ava, who is excited and enthusiastic, and Jack, who is a little nervous and shy.”
Matt explains that, “On a practical level, this book familiarises little ones with all the new routines they will need to learn, with charming and authentic details.”
“However, it also explores the range of emotions and feelings involved for children during this huge transition in their lives, acknowledging that every child, with their individual personality, will have their own unique experience of big school.”
- All the Ways to be Smart by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys.
This book won the ABIA Children’s Picture Book of the Year in 2019, and it’s a celebratory tale.
Matt says, “As children start big school, and discover the emphasis on lessons and learning, this sparkling treasure of a book is a delightful reminder that there are many different ways to excel beyond plain book smarts.”
“It is a delicious rhyming romp through all the wondrous ways children can shine, with lively neon illustrations that radiate happiness! This book belongs on every bookshelf.”
- The Wild Guide to Starting School. by Laura and Philip Bunting.
Matt says he would read any book created by this dynamic husband and wife team, and describes this one as a, “Laugh out loud ‘guide book’ to big school, which is filled with their trademark wit and humour.”
Matt says this book, “Takes an anthropomorphic 'David Attenborough' documentary approach to exploring schools, from the bustling classrooms through to a sneak peek inside a teacher's brain!”
“It’s littered with laughs, but also packed with facts – all brought to life with Philip’s signature, bold illustration style – and the words are fun to read for kids AND parents.”
All of these reads will ready your child for their first day at school, and this article contains lots of evidence-based tips to help you choose and share books with your under-five.
