Books about starting school
Going to school or nursery for the first time can be both exciting and scary, in equal measures. To help your child prepare for this next step why not try reading some of these brilliant books about starting school!
For further school-related reading ideas, for all ages, BookTrust has a list favourite books about school at http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/children/booklists/40/
Books about starting playgroup or nursery
Going to Nursery by Catherine and Laurence Anholt
(Orchard Books, ISBN: 9781408302118)
Too little to go to school, too big to stay at home all day, Anna is off to nursery for the first time. Tom is new too, and together they discover how much fun it can be! Young children and adults alike will enjoy sharing and talking about this much-loved classic picture book, with its delightful and amusing insight into the joys and trepidations of starting nursery.
Maisy Goes To Nursery by Lucy Cousins
(Walker Books, ISBN: 9781406325591)
Maisy loves going to nursery. There’s so much fun to be had, with all her friends and their teacher – singing at Music Time, a nap a Quiet Time, listening at Book Time and then Play Time in the Garden. What a day!
Peppa Pig: George’s First Day at Playgroup
(Ladybird, ISBN: 9781409309079)
It is George’s first day and Peppa doesn’t really want him there. But when all of her friends want a little brother too, will Peppa change her mind? Find out in this lovely little piggy tale. Read the story to help your little ones find out what it’s like to have their first day at preschool, nursery, playgroup or school, with the reassurance that Peppa Pig and George did it too!
Books about starting school
Spot Goes to School by Eric Hill
(Puffin Books, ISBN: 9780140506501)
Spot starts school today! Find out all about Spot’s first day in this colourful lift-the-flap story.
Bella Goes To School by Ian Whybrow
(Macmillan Children’s Books, ISBN: 9780330509565)
Bella is nervous about starting school . . .
She can’t do writing yet, and she doesn’t even know how to tie her shoelaces. What if the teacher gets cross with her? Luckily Mummy Rabbit and Bella’s friend Joel are there to reassure her that she’s a good learner — and that school will be fun
Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
(Puffin, ISBN 9780140507379)
Aiming to calm the anxieties and encourage the enthusiasm of pre-school children, this book describes what going to school entails.
Billy and the Big New School by Catherine and Laurence Anholt
(Orchard Books, ISBN: 9781408302125)
Billy is not at all sure about starting big school. In fact, he wishes he could stay at home with his mum. But with some gentle encouragement and the help of a new friend, Billy soon discovers that big school can be a lot of fun! Young children and adults alike will enjoy sharing and talking about this much-loved classic picture book, with its delightful and amusing insight into the joys and trepidations of starting school.
I am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child
(Orchard Books, ISBN: 978-1846168857)
Charlie’s little sister Lola is nearly big enough to go to school – but Lola is not so sure. She thinks it probably would be useful to read and write and count, but she doesn’t really have time for school – she’s much too busy doing extremely important things at home. And her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, is slightly nervous about going to school on his own.
Usborne First Experiences: Going to School by Anna Civardi and Stephen Cartwright
(Usborne Publishing Limited, ISBN: 9780746066607)
Featuring colourful illustrations and simple text, this book is designed to help introduce young children to the places and people they’ll meet, and the things they’ll do on they’re first day at school.
Harry and the Dinosaurs go to School by Ian Whybrow
(Puffin Books, ISBN: 9780141500058)
It’s Harry’s first day at school. He and his dinosaurs are very excited and perhaps a little bit nervous. But when Harry’s dinosaur friends don’t join him in the classroom, Harry’s not so sure he’s going to like school… but the dinosaurs come to the rescue and Harry and his new friend learn just how much fun school can really be! The ideal book to prevent first-day-at-school nerves.
