Starting school is a huge milestone for adults and kids, with many emotions such as excitement and anxiety coming to the fore on the day (and for some time beyond).
Children’s books about starting school are a great way to prepare kids for what to expect when getting ready for and attending school.
These stories will help your child to understand unfamiliar situations and encourage them to discuss their fears and ask questions. Plus of course, reading together encourages a love of reading at an early age.
Read these picture books to help ease your child’s nerves for their first day of school and build their excitement for learning and new friendships.
When does school start in Victoria in 2024?
Victorian government school start Term 1 on Monday 29 January 2024.
Best Books About Starting School
1. All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell
All the Ways to Be Smart is a fantastic book that tells and reassures kids about how their unique and wonderful qualities make them amazing in their own special way. Rather, being smart can also come from their creative ability to build boats from boxes, paint patterns, wheel wagons, pretend to be mermaids, and even ride dragons!
Buy All the Ways to Be Smart on QBD Books or Amazon
2. The Wild Guide to Starting School by Laura and Philip Bunting
About to start school? The Wild Guide to Starting School is a simple guide that will help your little one learn everything they’ll need to know about their first day through stories about much loved wild animals like the Kookaburra, Koala, and more!
The guide tackles first-day jitters, meeting their teachers, creating new friends, enjoying lunchtime and all the things in between.
Buy The Wild Guide to Starting School on QBD Books or Amazon
3. Starting School by Jane Godwin
Starting School is a story written by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker about Tim, Hannah, Sunita, Joe and Polly’s first day at school, their experiences, fun ways they’ve learned new lessons, the new friends they were able to make, and the various things they were able to discover there. The book beautifully focuses on the different feelings and experiences each child has to help your kids feel more comfortable about the journey they are about to begin.
Buy Starting School on QBD Books or Amazon
4. Starting School Sticker Book by Felicity Brooks
The Starting School Sticker Book is a fantastic yet fun way to get your kids familiarised with all the things they will need to know and do on their first day of school by helping the storybook characters go through a typical school day. They’ll be using over 100 included stickers to help the characters get dressed, pack their bags, participate in classes, play around during playtime, and much more.
Buy Starting School Sticker Book on QBD Books or Amazon
5. Peter Rabbit Tales: Starting School by Beatrix Potter
Peter Rabbit Tales: Starting School is a wonderful and reassuring tale that mirrors young children’s early experiences.
Follow the story of the mischievous and ever-popular Peter Rabbit, as he and Benjamin Bunny excitingly start their first day of forest school. Though Peter and Benjamin can’t wait to learn all about the woodland they live in, Peter finds himself a little nervous once he learns that his sisters won’t be there. Luckily Mrs Rabbit is there to lessen his worries, calm his nerves and hold his paw on the first day.
Buy Peter Rabbit Tales: Starting School on QBD Books
6. Time for School Activity Book By Todd Parr
Time for School Activity Book is a creative workbook created by Todd Parr that allows young learners to be creative, work on early learning skills (like writing and math), and so much more. The humorous and artistic workbook also includes social-emotional activities to help children explore and identify their feelings, appreciate differences, and treat everyone and the world around them with kindness.
Buy Time for School Activity Book on QBD Books
7. School Is Cool! by Hello!Lucky
What you learn in school will last all year So how about a hooray-for-school cheer?
School Is Cool! by Hello!Lucky is the perfect read to help prepare young readers for their first day of school through humour, encouragement, and wonderful storytelling by the bestselling Hello Lucky team. The story starts off with a class of nervous critters who are guided through their very first day of school by a cheerful narrator.
Buy School Is Cool! on QBD Books or Amazon
8. Preschool, Here I Come! by David J Steinberg
Preschool, Here I Come! Is a collection of funny, joyful poems by D. J. Steinberg that celebrates all the milestone moments of preschool. Making this book a must-have for all young learners beginning their educational journey.
Buy Preschool, Here I Come! on Amazon
9. How to Make a Friend in 6 Easy Steps by Dhana Fox, James Hart
Meet Rosie, a friendly shark with fifty-two teeth! Rosie read a book saying that you can easily make friends through six easy steps but soon she discovers it’s not as simple as she thought it would be. Read more about Rosie on How to Make a Friend in 6 Easy Steps by Dhana Fox
Buy How to Make a Friend in 6 Easy Steps on QBD Books or Amazon
10. Sing Along With Me! This is the Way We Go to School by Yu-hsuan Huang
Does your child love music? Sing Along With Me! This is the Way We Go to School is a brightly illustrated sing-along slider board book that will not only help your child get ready for nursery school but also keep them entertained for hours! Watch them sing along to the free instrumental and vocal version of the classic nursery rhyme “This is the Way We Go to School”.
Buy Sing Along With Me! This is the Way We Go to School on Amazon
11. The Night Baafore the First Day of School by Yu-hsuan Huang
For children who are feeling a bit nervous about their first day of school, The Night Baafore the First Day of School is an action-packed story that will provide them with comic relief that can help their nerves.
This tale follows the story of Bo, who is just trying to fall asleep and get a good nights rest for his very first day of school! To help him fall asleep, he tries counting sheep, but then the naughty sheep soon get bored, leading them to scatter around and create chaos throughout Bo’s house! With a bunch of baaad sheep and a mess to clean, will Bo get enough sleep before his first day of school?
Buy The Night Baafore the First Day of School on QBD Books or Amazon
12. Let’s Get Ready for School by Jane Porter, Carolina Rabei
There is no doubt that starting school can make kids feel jittery as it is a great and new adventure for them.
Let’s Get Ready for School by Jane Porte is a fantastic book that reassures kids by answering all their questions and teaching them everything they’ll need to know before starting school in a warm, witty and comforting way.
Buy Let’s Get Ready for School on QBD Books or Amazon
13. I Have to Start at School Today by Simon Philip, Ged Adamson
I Have to Start at School Today is a hilarious and encouraging book filled with rhymes that shows one child’s creative imaginings about starting school. Some of the text reads:
“You’ll have such fun!” my parents say.
I know they think I’ll be okay,
But what if things don’t go my way?”
Starting at a new school is BIG deal at the best of times, so what if you also had to deal with a cross rhinoceros, a selfish bear taking up your chair and a weird baboon with a loud bassoon? Luckily, Grandma is on hand to reassure that there’s no need for fright because what if it just all goes…right?
Buy I Have to Start at School Today on QBD Books or Amazon
14. First Day at Bug School by Sam Lloyd
Welcome to Bug School! A secret school at the bottom of the garden, hidden amongst the grass and weeds. Don’t fear as there are a lot of fun activities to do, new lessons to learn, and many adorable bug-mates to meet and befriend.
Through this rhythmic, bright celebration of school, First Day at Bug School is sure to help kids calm their first-day-at-school fears.
Buy First Day at Bug School on Amazon
15. How to Hide a Lion at School by Helen Stephens
How to Hide a Lion at School is the third adventure in the bestselling How to Hide a Lion series that is guaranteed to delight your kids.
In this book of the series, Iris finds that her Lion doesn’t want to be left behind but the problem is that they aren’t allowed at school! However, the sneaky lion finds a way to join the school trip to the museum creating mayhem as he hides among the exhibits.
Buy How to Hide a Lion at School on QBD Books or Amazon
16. Twig by Aura Parker
Written by Aura Parker, Twig is about Heidi, a stick insect who is on her way to her first day at Bug School. She hopes to learn lots and make new friends. But much to her disappointment Heidi finds that no one will talk to her, play with her, or even notice her! Could it be because she’s blending into the twigs? Luckily, her teacher Miss Orb comes up with a plan to help Heidi stand out!
Buy Twig on QBD Books or Amazon
17. Just Jack by Jane Tanner
On Jack’s first day of school, he had an idea! To make new friends, he put on his red-and-blue suit, yellow cape, special socks, gumboots and, his black mask to become Super Jack! And this made all the other kids love him!
But one day, Jack’s costume needed a wash! Will his new friends still like him when he’s Just Jack?
Buy Just Jack on QBD Books or Amazon
18. When a Dragon Goes to School by Caryl Hart, Rosalind Beardshaw
When a Dragon Goes to School is a lovely rhyming picture book created by award-winning picture book creators Caryl Hart and Rosalind Beardshaw that’s excellent for any child preparing to start school.
The book is full of recognisable pre-school behaviour and discusses in a light and fun way the proper ways to act at school and around new friends or classmates.
Buy When a Dragon Goes to School on QBD Books or Amazon
19. School Days by Sue deGennaro
School Days by Sue deGennaro celebrates starting School and all the new adventures and experiences little ones might have there.
The book talks about how every school day can lead to new discoveries and learnings but most important of all a new chance to create new friends
Buy School Days on QBD Books or Amazon
20. Lucy and Tom at School by Shirley Hughes
Written by Shirley Hughes, Lucy and Tom at School is a warm and humorous book that captures the simplicity of childhood.
In this classic yet beautifully illustrated picture book, read about two young children and their exciting experiences on their first day of school.
Buy Lucy and Tom at School on Amazon
21. My First Day at School by Rosie Smith
Another beautifully illustrated and fantastic starting school storybook for kids is My First Day at School by Rosie Smith. It perfectly captures the joy of learning and making new friends at school in a delightful and adorable way.
Buy My First Day at School on QBD Books or Amazon
22. Charlie and Lola: I Am Too Absolutely Small For School by Lauren Child
The classic picture book Charlie and Lola: I Am Too Absolutely Small For School tells the warm and funny story about how Lola is almost old enough to start going to school. But she is not so sure…
To Lola, she believes she is absolutely too small for school, so thankfully, Charlie is there to help encourage her and let her see why it is important to start school.
Buy Charlie and Lola: I Am Too Absolutely Small For School on QBD Books or Amazon
23. One Keen Koala by Margaret Wild, Bruce Whatley
A keen koala and his friends are ready for school!
One Keen Koala is a fun count-along picture book that beautifully introduces the fun of school and the exciting things kids can expect on their first day.
Buy One Keen Koala on QBD Books or Amazon
24. Mum at School by Eric Veille
Mum at School is a lovely children’s book about a little girl on her first day of school. She gets so nervous that she clings to her mum; This leads to the Mom becoming a member of her class.
However, as the day goes on, the little girl finds out that perhaps her mum is too big for school and it might actually be a bit more fun without her!
Buy Mum at School on QBD Books or Amazon
25. Birdie’s First Day of School by Sujean Rim
It’s Birdie’s First Day of School and you can bet she’s got the jitters!
She wonders what will her teacher be like? What should she bring? What should she WEAR?
But as soon as Birdie walks into her brand-new classroom, a whole new world opens up as she discovers all the joy and adventure school has to offer.
Buy Birdie’s First Day of School on QBD Books or Amazon
26. Lift and Look School by Bloomsbury
In this bright and beautifully illustrated Lift and Look School book, kids will get to lift the flaps and discover a busy day at school!
See the various school activities, from making masks and visiting the aquarium to enjoying playground games and more!
Buy Lift and Look School on Amazon
27. My First Day at School by Meredith Costain, Michelle Mackintosh
The storybook My First Day at School by Meredith Costain and Michelle Mackintosh helps children prepare for that magical first day through the experiences and emotions of the four main characters. From sad goodbyes to their parents, through to the happiness of making new friends and finding that school can be a thrilling and delightful place, however challenging.
Buy My First Day at School on QBD Books or Amazon
28. Why I Love School by Daniel Howarth
Why I Love School by Daniel Howarth features children’s own words and heart-warming pictures and illustrations that celebrate all that’s wonderful about school!
Buy Why I Love School on QBD Books or Amazon
29. Miffy at School by Dick Bruna
The classic picture book by Dick Bruna entitled Miffy at School introduces the concepts of art and culture to young children. Children are encouraged to admire and appreciate both traditional and non-traditional forms of children’s entertainment.
Buy Miffy at School on QBD Books or Amazon
30. The Sunday Blues – Say Good-Bye to Back to School Worries! by Neal Layton
The Sunday Blues – Say Good-Bye to Back to School Worries is a tale that helps children overcome back-to-school and Monday morning worries.
This funny tale follows the character Steve and discusses why it is that he’s feeling so down despite all the wonderful things that usually make him happy on a Sunday.
Buy The Sunday Blues – Say Good-Bye to Back to School Worries! on QBD Books or Amazon
31. Wombat Goes to School by Bruce Whatley, Jackie French
Wombat Goes to School focuses on the character Mothball who unexpectedly discovers a hole that leads to the local school! There she learns about lunch boxes, good places to nap and that it’s not a very good idea to get too close to a ball.
Buy Wombat Goes to School on QBD Books or Amazon
32. People Who Help Us: at School by Emeline Barrea
The People Who Help Us: At School storybook is the second title in the “People Who Help Us” series. This starting school book introduces kids to all the amazing school staff like the teachers, the teaching assistants, the learning support assistants, the kitchen team and more, plus their everyday tasks.
This children’s book will definitely keep them focused due to the vibrant scenes that move and come to life through Venetian paper engineering.
Buy People Who Help Us: at School on Amazon
33. Love by Corrinne Averiss
Love by Corrinne Averiss is a comforting and uplifting story about a sweet girl named Tess who greatly loves her family but worries that the love might not stretch that far once she has to leave for school!
This beautiful kids picture book is perfect for kids dealing with separation anxiety, losing a close family member, or are dealing with parental divorce.
Buy Love on QBD Books or Amazon
34. I Don’t Want to Go to School by Stephanie Blake
Simon, the super rabbit, is a mischievous little bunny! When his mother told him that tomorrow is his first day of school, Simon said “no way!”
This adorable and funny little tale entitled I Don’t Want to Go to School deals with the fear of the first day of school and reassures kids that it is not scary but actually a very joyful place filled with fun and new adventures.
Buy I Don’t Want to Go to School on QBD Books or Amazon
Best Baby Hampers Melbourne delivery
Best Kids Subscription Boxes
Best Kids Magazine Subscriptions
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using the links there is no extra cost to you and we earn a small commission that helps us to continue to provide valuable and useful information for you.
