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 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!

First Day by Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley

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 must for nervous kids and parents alike.

An adorable picture book about first-day nerves.

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Wombat Goes to School by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley

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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Old Friends, New Friends by Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley

A brand-new school year! I can’t wait!
Hang on … None of my old friends are in my new class …

From the team who brought you First Day and When I Grow Up comes an empowering and relatable picture book about making friends and being yourself.

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When I Grow Up by Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley

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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There’s A Snake In My School by David Walliams

A spectacularly slithery 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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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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Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

In this classic Seussian tale, the good doctor primes his readers against all the little mishaps and misadventures that can befall even the best of us – from bang-ups and hang-ups to lurches and slumps – encouraging us to take life in our stride!

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Ozzie Goes to School by Jocelyn Crabb and Danny Snell

In this delightful story about a boy starting school, Ozzie faces up to his fears of being without his dad in a strange place with new people – and comes up trumps!

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