Books to help children prepare for the new school year

Starting a new school year can be an exciting time for primary-aged children. There will often be a new teacher, a new classroom and a new timetable for children to get used to, as well as all of the new learning to be done! Understandably, all of these changes can also cause anxiety, worries and nerves for some children. At Literacy Tree, we believe that children’s books can be a fantastic tool for preparing for such changes. In this booklist, we have chosen to share some of our favourite books that explore themes related to starting the new school year or starting at a new school.

Ning and the Night Spirits by Adriena Fong

In a curious town in a lush valley lives a quiet boy named Ning who is terrified of making friends. However, when Ning manages to befriend the night spirits that his town are so afraid of, he must find the confidence to ask for help so that his community to understand, rather than fear, these intriguing creatures. A wonderful book for exploring themes of shyness, overcoming fears and making friends.

Themes and links: bravery, community, confidence, fears, friendships, shyness

Mooncat and Me by Lydia Corrie

When Pearl moves house to a new city, she is nervous about all of the things that will feel different and strange. Most of all, she is worried about starting a new school where she won’t know anyone and nobody will know her. To Pearl’s delight, a huge smiling white cat appears at her window and stays by her side as she explores and gets used to the city. Finally, it is time for Pearl to start school… and she has so much fun she doesn’t realise that Mooncat is no longer there!

Themes and links: animals, anxiety, confidence, fears, friendships, moving house, moving school

 

 

 

The Friendship Bench by Wendy Meddour

When Tilly finds she has no one to play with at her new school, her teacher suggests she try the friendship bench. But there’s one problem… there’s already someone on it! This beautiful book from the author-illustrator pair behind Lubna and Pebble is brilliant for supporting young children to think about using talk and play to make new friends and could inspire children to create their own friendship area for the playground.

Themes and links: animals, friendships, moving house, moving school

 

 

Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian

Omar is far from impressed when his parents decide it’s a good idea to move house and move him to a new school at the same time. Things start to look up when he makes a new friend at school… that is, until the class bully decides he’s the perfect target and tells him that he will be kicked out of the country because he’s a Muslim. A great book for exploring and celebrating our differences and for understanding prejudice in all its forms.

Themes and links: bullying, faith, family, friendship, humour, insecurities, Islamophobia, moving home, moving school, racism

Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe

Having recently moved house and started a new school, Ella is pleased and surprised when super-popular Lydia seems keen to befriend her. But when Lydia asks Ella to ‘investigate’ a fellow classmate, she is faced with a number of dilemmas and begins to question her newfound friendship. This is book fantastic for supporting discussions around peer pressure and what makes a good friend.

Themes and links: belonging, bullying, family members in prison, friendships, hope, moving school, parent-child relationships, young carers

 

 

Frankie’s World by Aoife Dooley

Frankie knows that she’s not quite like anyone else in her class; a fact that most her classmates seem to agree on as well. Thankfully, her two best friends and her Mam totally get her and are by her side through the ups and downs of her not-so-straightforward life. This brilliantly hilarious graphic novel from Aoife Dooley offers a unique perspective on autism and is a powerful text for supporting conversations around being yourself and understanding and celebrating each other’s uniqueness.

Themes and links: autism, bullying,  friendships, humour, grandparents, illness,  parent-child relationships, sibling relationships

 

The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow

This stunningly powerful novel written in free verse captures the tumultuous final year of primary school through the eyes of ten-year-old Nate. The challenges that Nate experiences over the course of Year 6 – both in and outside of school – will resonate with many children across the country for whom life is full of complexities. The expression of his innermost thoughts and emotions build a strong connection with the reader and the use of dialect brings warmth and authenticity to this remarkable book.

Themes and links: bullying, family, friendship, hope  illness, parent-child relationships, sibling relationships, poetry, socio-economic deprivation

 

 

 

Fly Me Home by Polly Ho-Yen

When Leelu first arrives in London with her mum and brother, she finds hard to believe it is their new home. The city is cold and grey, their flat is poky and unwelcoming and school is confusing and frustrating. But when she discovers that someone is leaving her special gifts outside her house, Leelu starts to feel less alone and more in control of her destiny. A fantastic book for exploring how a child who is new to the country may feel as they settle into a new school.

Themes and links: families, fantasy, friendship, hope, magic, migration, moving school,  socio-economic deprivation

 

The above is just a small selection of children’s books that can help to open up discussions around technology use. We hope to continue to add to this list over time. 

Next month: Our next book list will focus on moving houses. Please feel free to get in touch with any of your own suggestions for inclusion on this list by Friday 4th October at jen@literacytree.com or on X using @LiteracyJenS.

Posted in: Book Lists