September feels enormous. Far bigger than all of those other smaller, less significant months. Every time I walk past the calendar in the kitchen it draws my eye. September. Whether you have an excited little extrovert on your hands, full of magic beans at the prospect of school, or your little one is feeling a bit more nervous about this big change, books for starting school can really help both of you prepare.
Killian is over the moon about starting school. In fairness, Killy is over the moon about everything, it’s one of his most endearing qualities… he’s that way until it actually happens, that is. When that time comes, he has a tendency to hide his entire head up my jumper, form a death grip on my leg and commit.
With that in mind, I have forced down my urge to keep my little shadow home (It’s tempting, I won’t lie. He’s actually spectacular company and my ovaries have each cast a firm vote to keep him by my side) and am getting him used to the idea.
‘Now Killian, my lad. In a few months you shall be entering the British schooling institution, which will largely consume our life until you’re at least 18 and old enough to enter full-time employment until you retire! What about naps and our mid-morning baths, you ask?’
I joke. kind of.
Honestly, he’s very much looking forward to making new friends and doing lots of reading and painting.
I have been through this process with two of my children and had very different experiences. One skipped through the gates on the first day, book under her arm like Matilda and a thoroughly unconcerned half-wave to say goodbye. The other clung to my hand like his life depended on it.
I actually remember my own first day in school. I remember that my shoes had little dinosaurs on them, and how excited I was to wear my new Jungle Book rucksack that was nearly as big as me. In terms of readiness, I sat somewhere firmly in the middle: I was excited to make friends, but had no idea what to expect.
I have two more children starting school in the next couple of years. Deep breath.
Bear is handmade, from The Cotton Shop
That’s where books came in. However they feel about this big change in their lives, arming them with knowledge is helping them put their best foot forward through the school gates.
*Before I go and weep in the car wondering where my babies have gone, and how those tiny wrinkly newborn feet now fit shiny black school shoes, obviously. I’m sure that’s normal. Or at least hope it is, now that I’ve shared it.
Whether you go for just one of these or build a small library of books for starting school like we have (research comforts me, a warm blanket of information) these are tried and tested favourites.
If you would like to skip all of the chat and go straight to the books, click here
1. All the words you need to know before you start school
I’m sure I’m supposed to save the top recommendation until last to get you to read to the end, I have definitely read that somewhere. But I’m aware that our miniature humans keep us all on our toes, so I’ll skip straight to it: If you only get one, make it this one.
While all of the books on this list are wonderful in their own ways, I think this is the one a child will get most from in terms of school preparation.
Firstly, like all Usbourne books, it’s brilliantly digestible for children. It’s full of information but not cluttered or overwhelming, and it’s one you can either read through or dip in and out of together. It’s big with board pages (meaning you can safely leave you little one to browse over it without risking hearing that dreaded ripping noise) and just covers everything. From travelling to school, to equipment to feelings – it’s got you covered.
My three year old literally spends hours on his bed with this resting on his legs and feet poking out from under it. It’s a must-have when it comes to books for starting school. We have spent so many days pouring over it that I’m going to make him a college edition when the time comes.
*Warning – he also frequently picks it for a bedtime story and because it’s a great one for sparking thoughts and starting conversations, it can take a couple of hours… by which time it’s my bedtime. Do not fall into this trap! Maybe keep it out of sight therefore out of mind just before lights out…
2. The Colour Monster Goes To School
This is a colourful picture book following The Colour Monster on his first day at school. The text is short and simple, and the pictures get the children’s best belly-laughs (He eats a book and we all laugh raucously. Mainly the children laugh, then I laugh watching how funny they find things.)
The best thing about this book is that it really takes away any fear there may be about the unknown. The Colour Monster doesn’t even know what school is, so asks if it’s a spooky castle filled with monsters and beasts. As we follow him through his school day, we learn about music lessons, story time, the classroom and the playground.
To Be Considered
The only thing I would say is that this might be best for children who have expressed that they’re a little anxious about starting school (possibly not in those words…) The Colour Monster is scared about starting school and is reassured throughout the day – but if Killian hadn’t been at all apprehensive I’m not sure I would have wanted to put the doubt in his head. I also don’t love that the mothers are all crying as they way goodbye to their children who are going into school. Like I said, I will likely go to the car for a little sob, but I’m all smiles, reassurance and excitement when I drop them off as I don’t want them to feel responsible for my feelings.
The children really do love this book and reach for it time and time again. I just want to consider everything if I’m going to recommend something as I would hope someone would do the same for me!
3. Wise before five – amazing things to know before you start school
This book is marvellous. I suspect that I will have to invest in a second copy of this for my youngest, as I can’t see my youngest relinquishing this one anytime soon! With eye-catching illustrations and those lovely uncoated pages (I don’t know if it’s just me, but I really love when pages actually feel like paper?) this is a book that my little ones tend to pull off their bookshelf and ‘read’ in bed when they can’t sleep.
It covers so many subjects! From family, jokes and storytelling, space, hygiene and healthy eating to manners and looking after the planet… there isn’t much that isn’t in this book. The characters in the illustrations are diverse in so many ways, and there’s a really positive focus on how everybody comes from different backgrounds. This one also makes a wonderful gift as other children really gravitate to it when they come to play!
4. I am absolutely too small for school
I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with this book.
It’s a Charlie and Lola book, but the funny thing is… I have never watched Charlie and Lola.
I once read a Caitlin Moran novel, and she voiced how much she despises Lola – so I have always avoided watching it. But this book has me quite smitten! Lola is clearly quite contrary, but here’s the thing: I don’t know a toddler who isn’t. Between the weird and wonderful illustrations, the language used as Charlie convinces Lola that she does need the skills she’ll learn at school (she’s adamant that she doesn’t) and the general concept and execution of the whole book… I love it.
I really recommend this one if you’re building a little collection of books for starting school. It’s glorious and I’ll be getting more from the series. Isn’t it lovely when you don’t expect much from a book and it ends up being a favourite?
5. All You Need To know before you start school activity book
This book runs nicely alongside All You Need To Know Before You Start School, and it’s quite charming. A wipe-clean book with a dry-wipe pen, the activities range from getting to school safely (using zebra crossings etc) to identifying colours and copying the letters of the alphabet.
This one has been a brilliant purchase for those rainy days. I wasn’t sure how much Killian would engage with it, suspecting that he would rather just draw his own pictures – but obsessed probably wouldn’t be too strong a word!
6. The Everywhere Bear
While this picture book isn’t specifically about starting school, it is a wonderful picture book. Reading it gives me a warm, comfortable feeling about school and inspires a wave of nostalgia about our class teddy bear. I want my children to feel a cosy sense of home when they start school, and The Everywhere Bear is just that feeling.
Some Other Books For Starting School We’re Enjoying Are:
*Has religious references to praying in school
An Interesting Word For Every Day Of The Year
You might also enjoy: Greatest Young Children's Books Of All Time *Disclosure – some items may be gifted and links within this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you purchase through the links, I earn a small commission though this is at no expense to you. As always, I appreciate your support and would never recommend a product we have not tried, tested and loved.
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