There are so many important transitions that happen during your child’s schooling years. Whether they’re heading to school for the very first time, moving to a different class, or starting somewhere brand new, some kids are more anxious than others. How can you address these feelings and help ease their nerves? What can you do to get them ready to adapt to a strange new environment, and make new friends?
Firstly, it’s important that your child can speak honestly about these feelings. Learning to communicate and articulate is essential for their mental and emotional well-being as they get older. Also, it’s important for them to understand that they’re not alone – many people feel anxious, for all sorts of reasons. It’s quite normal, however it’s also important to put some strategies in place to manage the anxiety.
One way is to really prepare them for what they’ll experience in those first few days in a new environment. Other techniques to prepare your child for these challenges include mindfulness and breathing exercises.
One thing is certain – open communication is essential, and there’s no better way to broach complicated subjects with young kids than to introduce those subjects through entertaining and informative books.
This list of books is a great place to start teaching them how to overcome any anxiety or worries. In fact, these books are so great, they’ll help you too.
-
From the award-winning author of All the Ways to Be Smart, comes a warm and whimsical guide to negotiating new experiences and big emotions with empathy, kindness and words from the heart.
-
The debut non-fiction title from bestselling author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, Onjali Q. Rauf. This is your hope handbook: a guide to being kind, showing empathy and making the world a better place.
-
The debut children's books from Dr Camilla Pang, the youngest person and first writer of colour to win the Royal Society Science Book Prize. Drawing on Dr Camilla Pang's experiences of growing up with autism, this is her unique scientific handbook for growing up perfectly weird and perfectly happy.
-
Jessica Urlichs, author of the number #1 bestseller The Rainbow in My Heart, has partnered with illustrator and primary school teacher, Rebecca Gibbs to provide stunning picture book to demonstrate these non-cognitive skills and enable conversations between child and parent about mindset skills - includes counselor notes.
-
This fun and practical book is the perfect teaching tool and empowering guide to dealing with anxiety for kids and families everywhere. The second book from the co-creator of the viral "Tea Consent" video, Rachel Brian.
-
Celebrate the 10th birthday of this beloved story about dealing with change and overcoming worries, from the bestselling creators of The Lion Inside.
-
A fun and reassuring tale about dealing with worries from the author of the bestselling THE LION INSIDE.
-
A positive, practical and innovative approach to friendship guides for girls - the first step to building brilliant friendships is to know who YOU are.
-
Little Rabbit has been invited to a party, but is not at all sure that it will be as fun as everyone says . . .
A sweet and funny tale about overcoming anxiety and worries through the power of positive thinking.
Latest news
Amy Remeikis is going on tour!
Enter the Fantasy Realm
Hachette Australia, with The Realm, presents ENTER THE FANTASY REALM! Join Tigest Girma, Louisa Carmody and Christy Anne Jones in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to talk all things fantasy.
Read an Extract: Middle Rage
Part confessional, part manifesto, Middle Rage is full of Myf Warhurst's humour, warmth and wisdom, with some tips thrown in to help women live their best middle-aged lives.
In the Good Books with Luke Bateman - Hachette Recommended Reads
Explore our featured reads on the In the Good Books podcast
Start Reading No One's Looking
Read an extract from No One's Looking, a comedic and uplifting novel from bestselling author Brooke Davis. Out October 13 2026!
Find a book you'll love, get our newsletter
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
© Hachette Australia, All Rights Reserved · Site by Chook