Forces Children's Education

Starting School

By Janet and Allan Ahlberg
(For ages 3-5 years) 

Are you starting school soon? How exciting! If you can’t wait to start school, or are feeling a little nervous, this is the perfect book for you. 

Full of humour and fun, this reassuring read will help children and parents get ready for the first day of school, and find out what to expect from the rest of their first term. 

Usborne First Experiences: Going to School

By Janet and Allan Ahlberg
(For ages 3-5 years) 

An ideal starting point for young children and adults to discuss first experiences. Features Stephen Cartwright’s delightful illustrations, providing lots to look at and talk about. 

Starting School Sticker Book 

Usborne
(For ages 3-5 years) 

A fun way to familiarise young children with all the things they will need to know and be able to do when they start school.

Following a typical day at school, children will enjoy using the stickers to help the characters in the book get dressed, pack bags, hang up coats, change for PE, and participate in art class, lunchtime, playtime, storytime and home time. With over 100 stickers, this is sure to keep little children occupied for hours. 

Ellie the Elephant Makes New Friends at School

Agnes Green, Illustrated by Viktoriia Mykhalevych
(For ages 3-5 years) 

Is your little one nervous about going to school for the first time? Starting fresh in a new environment, meeting a teacher and new classmates, making new friends?

Do I Have to go to School 

Pat Thomson, Illustrated by Lesley Harker
(For ages 3-5 years) 

In simple and reassuring terms, this entertaining book explores for young children what it is like to start school and how the reader might feel about it. Discussion boxes offer an adult opportunities to discuss the issues directly with their child.

My New School – New Adventures

Tom Easton, Illustrated by Charlie Adler
(For ages 5-7 years) 

In simple and reassuring terms, this entertaining book explores for young children what it is like to start school and how the reader might feel about it. Discussion boxes offer adults opportunities to discuss the issues directly with their child.

Back to School, Mallory

Laurie Friedman, Illustrated by Tamara Schmitz (For ages 7-10 years) 

Back to School, Mallory allows children who are experiencing new school blues to find a friend and ally in the heroine; also, because things keep going wrong for Mallory, children feel a little less fear of what might happen when they go to a new school. Instead, they can appreciate Mallory’s emotional roller-coaster and be comforted knowing that the transition won’t be perfect, but that in the end, like in the book, everything works out just fine.

New Kid, New Scene:
A guide to moving and switching schools

Debbie Glasser and Emily Schenck
(For ages 9-12 years) 

This gives the ins and outs of navigating new surroundings, making new friends (as well as staying in touch with old ones), and finding a place that feels like your own. It is full of real-life stories from kids who have been in your shoes—facing a new school and new life and how they were able to survive and even thrive in their new environment. It is packed with useful advice and questions for when you are worried or upset.