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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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...
I am too absolutely small for school : featuring Charlie and Lola
Child, Lauren.
Paper Book
Lauren Child's inimitable brother-sister pair takes on another childhood bugaboo -- the first day of school -- with the help of Charlie's resourcefulness and Lola's imaginary friend. Lola is not so sure about school. After all, why would she need to count higher than ten...
Los nin?os no se comen
Higgins, Ryan T
Paper Book
No te pierdas esta tierna y divertidísima historia ilustrada. Penélope empieza el colegio. ¡Por fin va a conocer a sus compañeros! Pero le va a costar hacer amigos humanos si son tan deliciosos... ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Don't miss out on this...
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...
I am ready for school! : a book about transitions
Krensky, Stephen
Paper Book
Prepare your little one for their first day of preschool or kindergarten with this uplifting board book from the Empowerment series from Stephen Krensky and award-winning illustrator Sara Gillingham. I fit just right in every chair. With toys...
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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