Living / 1 August, 2020 / Ellie Thompson
Hundreds of children across the country are getting ready to start or return to school this September, which can be very exciting – or a bit scary! Reading with your child is the perfect way to relax, bond and address some back to school nerves, or join in their excitement for the new term! To help, BookTrust, the UK’s largest reading charity, has pulled together a list of our favourite children’s books (for 5 and under) about starting school, friendships, kindness and enjoying everyone’s differences.
Emily Drabble, Head of Books, BookTrust said “Summer is a great time to read books with your little one and our list will help to reassure and excite them about starting or going back to school. We know that children who don’t have access to books and stories in the early years start school a year behind their peers, a gap that only widens as they get older.
“These lovely stories about overcoming nerves, making special friendships, and the amazing adventures school can bring are perfect to read in the run up to September.”
These books have a range in terms of genre and reading age, there’s something here for everyone.
Author: Margaret Roc
Illustrator: Laura Hughes
Jellybean finds her first day of school a little scary, but she soon finds it easier when she makes a friend.
Author: Eunice and Sabrina Moyle
Magic Manners, a large blue elephant with a superhero costume and cape, is here to remind us that kindness rules! This bright, cheery, rhyming board book is great for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning to share and treat others with gentleness.
Author: Emma Chichester Clark
Lily thinks Blue Kangaroo might be nervous about starting school – but in fact he can’t wait to have fun and make some new friends.
Author: Rebecca Cobb
This warm-hearted picture book about making friends is a perfect read for little ones starting school or nursery who might be a bit nervous, reassuring them that there will be lots of other children who will want to make friends.
Author: Ian Whybrow
Illustrator: Adrian Reynolds
It’s Harry’s first day at school. He and his dinosaurs are very excited and perhaps a little bit nervous.
Author: Davina Bell
Illustrator: Allison Colpoys
All The Ways to be Smart is an earnest and charming book celebrating the joys of all the wonderful qualities that make children who they are, with a subtle and unique message that getting excellent grades is not what makes you smart.
Author: Mylo Freeman
This instalment of the Princess Arabella series covers the familiar milestone of starting school, with Arabella’s royal twist. Acknowledging that school isn’t quite what some children might imagine it to be is a good message to include.
Author: Emma Dodd
With simple rhyme and colourful artwork, this picture book celebrates every bit of the human body and reminds us that each and every body is different. Another success from the bestselling author-illustrator.
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