As we all know, the first days and weeks of a new school year can stir up a jumble of emotions for pupils, and forming new friendships doesn’t always come easily. We’ve put together a list of books that can be used to spark discussion and to support children as they navigate this important part of school life.
Books to Help a New Class Connect
1. Harry and the Heron by Wendy Meddour
Discusses the challenges and rewards of accepting a new person into a friendship group.
2. The Friendship Bench by Wendy Meddour
Helps children think about how someone joining a class might be feeling on those first days in a new school.
3. I’m Sticking With You Too by Smriti Halls
Discusses the challenges and rewards of accepting a new person into a friendship group.
4. Hello, Friend! by Rebecca Cobb
Looks at how people approach friendships differently and that you don’t always have to have lots in common to be friends.
5. Two Sides by Polly Ho-Yen
Shows how to handle conflict in friendships and how to consider whether something is actually a big issue in the first place.
6. The Teeny-Tiny Bear Behind by Sam Copeland
How to deal with the feeling of jealousy when your friend wants to also play with other people.
7. Meesha Makes Friends by Tom Percival
Encourages children that not everybody finds it easy at first to make friends and that we can all form friendships in different ways.
8. The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright
Focuses on being brave in a situation that we find daunting.
9. The Robot and the Bluebird by David Lucas
How to help someone when they are feeling lonely and sad.
10. Gretel The Wonder Mammoth by Kim Hillyard
When you feel overwhelmed and like you don’t belong, it’s ok to ask for help.
11. Sharing a Shell by Julia Donaldson
Learning to share your things and working as a team.