First Day of School Picture Books

Stories to Help Children Overcome Fears about Starting School

Oct 1, 2008

Starting school can be daunting for young children. Reading stories about school in the lead up to their first day can help to alleviate some of their fears.

It is often fear of the unknown that most intimidates young children as they start school. Reading picture books about the first day of school can encourage children to ask questions, providing parents with opportunities to calm their fears.

The best-selling author of Russell the Sheep [HarperCollins, 2005] introduces Splat, a fluffy black kitten who is very nervous about his first day at Cat School in Splat the Cat [Harper Collins, 2008].

Splat is worried that he won’t make any friends, so he takes along his pet mouse Seymour to keep him company. Once he arrives, he discovers that school is a lot more fun than he thought.

Scotton’s amusing and endearing illustrations will delight children and parents and the classroom chaos when Seymour the mouse appears in the middle of a class full of kittens is sure to have children smiling.

Shortlisted for the 2008 Queensland Premier’s Award, Jessica’s Box [New Frontier Publishing, 2008] is a touching story about a girl who starts school determined to make friends. She takes along a cardboard box with something different in it each day to entice the other children to be her friends.

Unfortunately, her attempts to win over the other students don’t go quite to plan. Jessica finally relaxes and stops trying so hard. When she does, something special happens.

This delightful story emphasizes that it is who you are, not what you have, that makes you special. Teachers’ notes are available for this book.

Precocious Lola informs patient older brother Charlie that she can’t possibly go to school because she is not big enough, is far too busy at home, doesn’t like to wear a uniform, is too fussy about food and doesn’t want to sit alone to eat her lunch.

Despite Charlie’s assurances and reminders of all the great things about school, Lola is still nervous. At the end of the day, Charlie discovers Lola enjoying some pink milk with her new friend Lotta with all of her fears forgotten.

In I am Too Absolutely Small for School [Orchard Books, 2003] the collage illustrations, wandering text and amusing relationship between Charlie and Lola will entertain children while reassuring them that school isn’t as scary or lonely as they might think.

The young girl in this picture book is counting down to the first day of school. She has convinced herself that she will be the only child unable to tie her own shoelaces and as a result will be a social outcast at school.

She works hard to master her laces or to simply lose her shoes or laces altogether. When she finally gets to school she discovers that she isn’t the only one who needs help.

The girl’s amusing attempts to destroy her shoes and laces will entertain children as they are reminded in Countdown to Kindergarten [Koala Books, 2002] that they will not be expected to know everything on their first day.

Kate imagines that school will be confusing and scary. What if she can’t find the toilets and her mum forgets to pick her up?

Kate decides she isn’t going to school until she meets her new neighbour Li and forgets her own fears as she helps to take care of him. They arrive at school together and discover a fun place that is nothing like what they imagined.

I Don't Want to Go to School [Random House, 2000] reminds children that they aren’t the only ones who will be nervous about starting school. Colourful illustrations of a dragon, snakes and crocodiles might not be appropriate for very nervous children, but the story comes to a happy resolution that will reassure children that there is nothing to fear.

The colourful pictures and sympathetic characters in the above stories all help to put children at ease. Whether read at home or preschool or as part of a kindergarten orientation program, picture books can assist in beginning conversations with young school starters.

The copyright of the article First Day of School Picture Books in Primary School Culture is owned by Susan Whelan. Permission to republish First Day of School Picture Books in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.