Recommended Reads For Starting School

Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS)The first day of school brings mixed emotions to children of all ages. While some will feel excited to start a new year with new friends and new teachers, others may feel nervous and unsure. Reading can be a positive way to introduce pre-school to your young child or address the fears of a child moving up to junior school – all while bonding over a good story.

Stories that explore emotions can show children that they are not alone, and characters in certain stories can give children confidence and coping strategies. And by reading together, parents can help their child relate to a character’s feelings.

So, what can you read with your pre-schooler ahead of the first day of ‘big school’ next month?

Recommended reads from Colleen Williams, librarian at Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS)

• Chu's First Day at School by Neil Gaiman
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Wilson
• We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
• First Day Jitters by Julie Dannberg
• David Goes to School by David Shannon

Other recommended books for starting pre-school and primary

• First Day by Andrew Daddo
• I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child
• Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee
• Curious George Goes to School by Margret Rey
• The Berenstain Bears Go to School by Jan and Stan Berenstain
• Hey, New Kid by Betsy Duffey
• Marshall Armstrong is New to our School by David Mackintosh
• The Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park
• Wemberley Worried by Kevin Henkes