10 Books on moving to new house or school

“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end”

Robin Sharma

Change, they say, is the only constant. Graduating to a big school or moving to a new school/ home, in a different city or country, can be daunting and stressful. Every child adapts to change differently. Stories can help kids understand and better cope with change. So here is a list of books that we think might help in preparing them to transition to a new environment.

1. A house for hermit crab by Eric Carle (Ages 2- 5 years)

Hermit crab outgrows his shell and tries hard to adapt to his new home by making it his own. But he needs to repeat it all over again by the end of the year. The illustrations are pleasing and children also get to learn about the different months and the marine life. This story is all about embracing growth and change.

2. Bad bye, Good bye by Deborah Underwood (Ages 2- 5 years)

Goodbyes are hard. Leaving familiar places and moving to a whole new environment can be reason for gamut of emotions like sadness, anxiety, anger and excitement in children. This story is narrated with just few simple words however the expressive illustrations give more depth to the story.

3. The Berenstain Bears moving day by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Ages 4- 8 years)

This book prepares kids for the upcoming move by taking them through the whole process of moving, from packing up to the actual move. What we like is it goes a step further to show how to look at the positives of moving to a new place as well.

4. Double Happiness by Nancy Tupper Ling (Ages 4- 8 years)

Gracie is unhappy to leave behind her relatives in San Francisco and move to another state while her brother is excited about the move. However her grandmother shows her a way to treasure the past and find happiness in moving forward. This story is told in rhyming poems (couplets) and has some beautiful illustrations.

5. Alexander, who’s Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst (Ages 4- 8 years)

Alexander has to move because his dad got a new job across the country. Does he give in to the move easily?? No way! And he means it. He resists it by trying to find solutions to avoid the move. Could Alex hide someplace where his parents would never find him or could he possibly move in with his friends or the neighbors? This book goes through the various emotions that Alex has before the big Move.

6. My Name Is Yoon by Helen Recorvits (Ages 4- 8 years)

Yoon has moved to the United States of America from South Korea. Everything seems different and she misses her home in Korea. After a few miserable days at school she realizes that America isn’t so bad after all and maybe different is good too! This is a perfect read for your young ones if you are moving to a new country.

7. I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren child (Ages 3- 5 years)

Who doesn’t love Charlie and his little sister Lola? Lola is convinced that she is too small to go to school and her brother Charlie reassures her that School is a lot of fun where she can learn and make new friends. She is still not too keen but then her imaginary friend is also going to go to school for the first time. Shouldn’t she be there to give him company?

8. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (Ages 3- 5 years)

Starting school or moving to a new school can trigger separation anxiety. Chester the raccoon is terrified to leave his mother and go to the school but she has a secret that will ease out his fear. The story is great for all sorts of situations, from new school, day care or even a sleep over and helps them in transitioning and adapting to the changes in their new environment.

9. The day you begin by Jacqueline Woodson (Ages 4- 8 years)

Jacqueline Woodson is an award winning author and her latest book with the beautiful illustrations is what any child, transitioning in to a new school, will need. It tells us how we are all different and are bound to feel lonely in a new setting. However if you gather some courage to share your experiences and tell everyone your story then you will find that there is always someone who is a little like you.

10. School's First Day of School by Adam Rex (Ages 3-8 years)

Do we ever think of how a school would feel on the first day of school? This brilliant book is about a new school that is nervous for the arrival of students after a quiet summer. Kids with first day jitters can relate to the anxiety of the school and will probably be reassured that everything will get better with time.

---