Heading back to school means new friends, fresh notebooks, and exciting adventures ahead. But for many children, it can also bring worries, “what-ifs,” and a few nervous butterflies.
We’ve compiled six wonderful books that help turn those nerves into curiosity and courage. These stories explore big emotions, making friends, coping with nervous butterflies, and discovering the fun in this new transition.
These titles help children prepare, practice simple coping skills, and feel more confident about the year ahead.
The Colour Monster Goes to School
By Anna Llenas.
What’s school? A spooky castle filled with terrifying animals? Or a place in the sky, among rainbows and clouds?
This book follows the Colour Monster's first day of school, from music lessons, to lunchtime, to making new friends. This book helps children understand the jumble of emotions that come with starting school and encourages them to feel excited for the adventure ahead.
How to Make a Friend in 6 Easy Steps
By Dhana Fox and James Hart
Rosie’s book says making friends is easy: there are six steps to follow. But it’s not as easy as she thinks!
This sweet and witty story follows Rosie the shark, on her quest to make new friends. Through her missteps and eventual success, the book provides opportunities to discuss how we present ourselves and respond to others while learning important lessons about friendship and self-acceptance.
Oh, The Places You'll Go
By Dr. Seuss
Oh the Place You'll Go! Congratulations! Today is your day! You're off to Great Places. You're off and away!
We know it's a classic, but we simply couldn’t leave it off this list! With quirky characters, bright colours, hopeful messages and clever rhyming schemes, this picture book will inspire, and get you laughing.
Teachersaurus
By Rory H. Mather & Karl West
Starting school can be a little scary, but it can get even scarier when you hear your teacher is a dinosaur!
This playful and quirky story will have children laughing along as it explores first-day anxieties and wild imaginations. By the end of the book, your children will feel more at ease about their newest adventure.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates: A Penelope Rex Book
By Ryan T. Higgins
Poor Penelope Rex is a T. Rex who wants to make friends… but she keeps eating them instead!
A twist on first-day jitters, this story follows Penelope Rex, starting school. Packed with bright colours, hilarious moments, and an adorable dinosaur, it’s sure to make little ones laugh while keeping their attention. Bonus: there’s a gentle lesson about boundaries and how to be a good friend.
Look, There’s a Hippopotamus in the Playground Eating Cake
By Hazel Edwards
Nothing is impossible when you have a hippopotamus who lives on your roof, and eats cake!
A little girl takes her hippopotamus along to school, and together they face those first-day-at-school experiences, meeting the teacher, eating lunch on your own and making new friends. The hippo’s adventures spark creativity and help lighten the mood around starting school.
With the right stories by their side, heading back to school can feel less overwhelming and a lot more exciting. Even just 10 minutes of reading a day can support children’s cognitive growth and social skills.
If back-to-school worries linger, check out A Mentor’s 5-Step Guide to Back to School Success for practical tips.
Happy reading, and we wish a smooth start to the new school year!
