The start of a new school year can bring a mix of excitement, nerves, and big feelings — for children and parents. We truly believe books are one of the most powerful ways to gently support children through this transition. Here are a few back-to-school favourites you can use in your home or classroom.
The Crayons Go Back to School is a colourful and gentle story about returning to school. It’s a great way to talk about different strengths — for example, the black crayon loves writing while the purple crayon loves maths — and it also opens up conversations about meeting new friends and settling into the school year.
Our School Is a Family shows school as a community and introduces children to the many people they may come across, from office staff and librarians to the person holding the sign at the crossing. It also gently explains that some students might see a teacher for extra help with reading, while others may see a counsellor for support. It’s a lovely way to show children that everyone’s needs are different, and that help can look different too.
Peter Rabbit: Starting School was a favourite in our house. The familiar character helped spark meaningful conversations about change, growing independence, and how family roles can shift – particularly for younger siblings when one child starts school.
The Invisible String is another beautiful option, especially for children who are worried about being away from parents or caregivers for “five whole days”. It gently explains how we stay connected to the people we love, even when we’re apart.
Books won’t remove all back-to-school nerves, but they can create reassuring moments for connection and conversation.
Our own Wally Wombat series can also be helpful for easing back-to-school worries.
Wally Wombat: Anxiety Body Clues
This book is the first one we ever published and it helps children recognise how worries can show up in their bodies in ways they might not yet realise.
Imagine your child saying:
“Mum, my tummy feels funny. I think I’m worried.” Instead of a meltdown, they feel seen, heard, and supported. With Wally as their guide, your child will: Recognise and name the signs of anxiety, Build emotional awareness and self-confidence and Feel reassured they’re not alone.
Wally Wombat: Anxiety Strategies introduces practical, child-friendly strategies for calming those worries and building emotional awareness. Such strategies include: Cupcake Breathing – Smell the cupcake, blow out the candle, Three, Three, Three – Use the senses to feel grounded and Progressive Muscle Relaxation – Start at your toes and relax each part of your body.
This one is especially for all the Peter Rabbit loving kids out there! Peter is excited to be going to forest school with Benjamin Bunny, they can’t wait to learn all about the woodland they live in.
But when he learns that his sisters won’t be there, the little bunny gets nervous. Luckily Mrs. Rabbit is there to reassure him and hold his paw on the first day.
In this relatable and reassuring contemporary classic, a mother tells her two children that they’re all connected by an invisible string. “That’s impossible!” the children insist, but still they want to know more: “What kind of string?” The answer is the simple truth that binds us all: An Invisible String made of love.
From Jane Godwin and Anna Walker comes this beautiful book focussing on the experiences and feelings of five very different children as they begin at school for the first time.
Do you have an idea for a book but not sure where to start? You can watch Laura’s FREE webinars on Getting Started with writing a children’s book!
The crayons are getting ready to go back to school and each crayon has a subject they’re looking forward to the most. They’re also ready to meet new friends and let loose during their very favourite time of day . . . art class.
Our School is a Family is a book that will help students feel extra safe, loved, & supported in their learning environment. Especially when read aloud by a teacher, school librarian, or a special guest reader in the classroom (such as an administrator, counselor, etc).
This guest post has been written by the lovely Sarah & Emily Authors.
To learn more about Sarah and Emily and their own author journey – see links to their socials/website below and read their diary entry on The Indie Author Diaries!
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Written by Sarah & Emily Authors.
Sarah is a Librarian and primary school teacher while Emily works in healthcare and has two young children – one of which is starting school in 2026. These authors each share their unique perspectives on books to help children prepare to start (or return to) school.
To learn more about Sarah and Emily Authors – visit their website & socials – two sisters who have together, published three books!
If you’re interested in sharing your self-publishing story for our Indie Author Diaries blog series, get in touch today!
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Kasey Rainbow is an Australian Author and Artist who has collaborated with many well known brands including; Peter Alexander, Maxwell & Williams, Nakie, officeworks and even Lego! Ultimately – Kasey contributes a large part of this professional success all from her having a go at self-publishing a children’s book back in 2017. This is when she truly put not only her art but also herself out there.
A short list of great books that help prepare children for their first day of school written by Sarah (Librarian & Primary School Teacher) and Emily (a Mum with a Preppy Starting School in 2026).
Kimberley Jane is an author from the gold-coast who has written a unique book about therapy dogs. Kimberley discusses the pro’s & con’s of self-publishing and how hybrid publishing almost ruined her.
