The Perfectly Bookish Guide To Going Back To School

The school holidays are a blissful time (for children, not parents) – there is unlimited play time, plenty of activities to keep busy, and there are NO RULES!

OK, that last bit was a lie. There are some rules on holiday, but there’s no way they compare to the strict school environment.

For first time students, school can be scary. For the seasoned student, school can be an exciting adventure. Whichever type of primary schooler you have in your life, we have a wonderful guide for them!

When it comes to the first steps at school, beloved authors Jackie French and David Walliams are there to offer words of wisdom.

For the nervous newbie

First Day, by Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley

Age: 4+

You might have to be a bit brave… It’s the first day of school, but who is the most nervous about the big day? This book is a salve for nervous kids and parents alike.

An adorable picture book about first-day nerves from the team who brought you I DO IT and CHECK ON ME.

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Wombat Goes to School, by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley

Age: 3+

She sleeps. She eats. She scratches – and finds a hole.

When Mothball discovers a new hole, it unexpectedly leads her to the local school. The children learn that wombats love carrots and grass, while Mothball learns that lunch boxes contain very few carrots, that sports sheds can be a good place to have a nap, and that when you’re brown and round, it’s not a good idea to get too close to a ball.

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Marshall Armstrong is new to our school, by David Mackintosh

“Marshall Armstrong is new to our school.
He looks different to me.

His laces are straight, not criss-crossed like mine,
And his eyes are always looking at the blackboard.

Marshall Armstrong doesn’t fit into our school.
Not one bit…”

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Come to school too, Blue Kangaroo, by Emma Chichester Clark

This reassuring story for children starting school is part of Emma Chichester Clark‘s Blue Kangaroo series for adventurous youngsters

When Lily starts at a new school she asks Blue Kangaroo to come too. Lily thinks Blue Kangaroo is worried about going but, secretly, he can’t wait to explore and try new things – which is just as well, because the fun lasts even longer than he expected…

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For the boss of big school

When I Grow Up, by Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley

Age: 3+

What do you want to be when you grow up? A performer? An astronaut? A secret agent?

When I Grow Up is a gorgeous and funny picture book about big dreams and even bigger imaginations!

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Louisa May Pickett’s Best Show and Tell, by Rod Clement

Age: 5-9

This book is a wonderful way to encourage individuality and imagination in primary school readers.

Louisa May Pickett’s one and only talent is Show and Tell. Until she arrives at Dobroyd primary school where she finds that, in order to impress, she need do nothing other than be herself.

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There’s A Snake In My School, by David Walliams

A spectacularly slithery new picture book packed with mischief and mayhem…

Miranda loves to be different, and on Bring-your-pet-to-school Day she introduces everyone to her very DIFFERENT pet…

Penelope the snake.

Miss Bloat the headmistress doesn’t think snakes should be allowed in school. But Penelope has other ideas…

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For everyone’s best friend

My Friend Ernest, by Emma Allen

It’s the first day of school and Oscar is trying hard to be brave. Oscar’s mum feels sure he will make lots of friends, but Oscar isn’t so sure, particularly when Ernest seems so mean and scary.

But is he really?

From talented picture book creators, award-winning Emma Allen and talented new illustrator Hannah Sommerville, comes a book about the joy of making friends.

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Why I Love School, by Daniel Howarth

‘I love school because…’

This heartwarming book combines endearing things said by children about school, with gentle illustrations of familiar animals. And from learning new things to playing together, there is a lot to celebrate!

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