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
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Wellington City LibrariesChildren'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) ...
Never, not ever!
Alemagna, Be?atrice
Paper Book
A perfect back-to-school book...with a twist! For little kids everywhere who feel anxious leaving home to go back to school. A Kids' Indie Next Pick! Never, Not Ever! is the instant classic from Beatrice Alemagna--a laugh-out-loud tribute to little kids everywhere who would...
Becoming Vanessa
Brantley-Newton, Vanessa
Paper Book
Get ready to go back to school with this inclusive, empathetic story that will help kids new to the classroom transform from timid caterpillars into beautiful butterflies who love exactly who they are! On Vanessa's first day of school, her parents tell her it will be easy to make...
Puppy bus
Brockington, Drew
Paper Book
When a boy and his family move, he has to start all over at a new school-and gets plenty of first day jitters. The teachers will be different, he'll have to make new friends, and he won't even know where the bathroom is! On the first day, he nervously gets on the bus, only to end up...
Lena's shoes are nervous : a first-day-of-school dilemma
Calabrese, Keith
Paper Book
In the tradition of School's First Day of School, debut author Keith Calabrese and Pura Belpré Award winner Juana Medina share a sweet, universal story about a clever little girl whose shoes are nervous about the first day of school. Today is a big day! Today, Lena starts...
I am too absolutely small for school : featuring Charlie and Lola
Child, Lauren.
Paper Book
"The children's relationship is refreshingly noncombative, with Charlie as the protective and affectionate older brother who is appreciative of, rather than annoyed by, his sister's quirkiness." -- School Library Journal (starred review) Lola is not so sure about...
Los nin?os no se comen
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...
First day critter jitters
John, Jory
Paper Book
First-day-of-school jitters have never been funnier or more reassuring than in this picture book by the New York Times bestselling author Jory John and critically acclaimed illustrator Liz Climo It's almost the first day of school, and the animals are nervous. Sloth...
The invisible string backpack
Karst, Patrice
Paper Book
This companion book to The Invisible String--which has sold 1.5 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...
The little bear
Killen, Nicola
Paper Book
From beloved author-illustrator Nicola Killen comes an adorable back to school story about a bear cub soothing a little girl's fears, tenderly told and illustrated in limited color with lovely foil and interactive die cut pages. The end of summer can be a bittersweet time, and...
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...
My first day
Phung, Nguyen Quang
Paper Book
A visually stunning story of resilience and determination by an award-winning new author-illustrator team, perfect for back to school. This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat...
School's first day of school
Rex, Adam
Paper Book
"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."― School Library Journal, starred review A heartwarming and clever first day of school tale, from New York Times bestsellers Adam Rex (The Legend...
Time for school, Little Blue Truck
Schertle, Alice
Paper Book
Ride along to school with the #1 New York Times bestselling Little Blue Truck and meet Blue's new friend: a bright yellow school bus. Beep-beep! Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are excited to meet a bright yellow school bus on the road. They see all the little...
The pigeon has to go to school!
Willems, Mo
Paper Book
Mo Willems, #1 New York Times best-selling creator and three-time Caldecott Honoree, presents everyone's favorite Pigeon trying to escape . . . SCHOOL.   Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the...

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