Starting school, kindy, daycare or kōhanga reo

The early years of a child's life are filled with milestones, but one of the biggest changes to their social environment will be when they start at a new school, kindergarten, daycare, or kōhanga reo. There will be a lot of new people to meet, new routines to get used to, and of course a whole lot to learn! Here are some books that may help your whānau prepare for the big first day.

Updated July 15, 2024
W
Wellington City Libraries Children's team at Wellington City Libraries
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9 kilometers
Aguilera, Claudio
Paper Book
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List - PreK-2 (2024) Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of the Year List (2023) The New York Public Library Best Books for Kids List (2023) ...
We don't eat our classmates!
Higgins, Ryan T.
Paper Book
It's the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can't wait to meet her classmates. But it's hard to make human friends when they're so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all...
The invisible string backpack
Karst, Patrice
Paper Book
This companion book to The Invisible String--which has sold 2 million copies to date--offers a complete socio-emotional toolkit for back-to-school--and your whole life! It's Mila's first day of school, but mixed with...
Henry at home
Maynor, Megan
Paper Book
The love between a brother and sister shines through in this reassuring picture book about a common childhood transition--an older sibling starting school and leaving the younger one behind. Liza is Henry's big sister, and Henry is Liza's little brother. As long as there has...

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