Starting School by Caryn Jenner and Arthur Robins

This book is aimed at children who are due to start school, and can be shared with young children to answer their many questions about what school life will be like. Many varied school settings and scenarios are explored to show that different schools work in different ways. At all times, children are encouraged to look forward to this new experience and to be reassured that there will be other children just like them at school, and that there will always be people there to help them settle in.Warm and funny illustrations by the wonderful Arthur Robins will reassure and amuse children and adults alike. There is also a Top Tips section to provide ideas for parents or carers on how to support their child in the run up to the Big Day.


This book is a really well thought out book which is perfect to share with little ones before they start school. It is not a traditional storybook, rather a factual book to share before their first day. It is split into small sections,each a double page spread which focuses on an important aspect of a school day or term. The sections are:

•  What is school
•  Getting ready
• Arriving at school
• Morning routine
• In the classroom
• People at school
• Around the school
• School toilets
• School rules 
• What we learn
• Playtime
• Lunchtime
• Special Days.

Each section is full of useful information, points which children (or parents) may be worried about or things which can be discussed before that first day to get the ideas into the children's minds. The information is written in child friendly language, in simple, short sentences and is accompanied by great illustrations which children will love looking at.

The book starts with some great ideas for parents and carers to how to get the best from the book. It reminds parents that children may find their first day at school daunting and that this is often for the case for parents too!

I would recommend this book as a must have for parents and children who will be starting school in the near future. It would be a great addition to any playgroups, pre-schools or children's centres book corners for parents to borrow or to use in story time in the weeks or months before September.

I received this book through the Amazon Vine Programme.