NOTHING BEATS A GOOD STORY Top ten books to ease transition for children


When a child is experiencing a major change in their life, such as starting a new school, moving to a new home or relocating to a new country, it can be a very challenging time for them. However help may be right at hand in the form of a book. Reading and sharing stories that children can relate to their immediate situation can be a very effective way of helping them feel more at ease.


Here’s my list of recommended books to support children during a time of change:


A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle: Hermit Crab grows out of one house after another as he searches for the perfect home. For any children who are apprehensive about a change that is happen- ing in their life, this book helps to show that growing up and moving on isn’t really that scary.


A Long Line of Cakes by Deborah Wiles: The Cake family travels from place to place, setting up bakeries in communities that need them. Then, just as Emma feels settled in with new friends, they move again. This story is a lovely way of showing children how to make their friendships last, even if they move to a new place. At ACS, it is very important that we teach our students how to maintain friendships even if their friends move to another area or country. It is a life skill we all need, not only while at school but when we leave education and enter adulthood as well.


The Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park: Ten-year-old Howard Jeeter's life is temporarily destroyed by a cross-country move and to make things worse, his first ‘friend’ in Massachusetts is his seemingly an- noying neighbour, Molly. Early adolescence is a difficult time for most children and this book communi- cates this time really well. It’s a very relatable story.


Red Butterfly by A.L. Sonnichsen:Written in verse with black and white illustrations by Amy June Bates, a young orphaned Chinese girl learns about the true meaning of family. Working in an international school I know how important it is for children to feel represented and this book does a really great job of showing this.


24 FOCUS The Magazine May/June 2019 www.focus-info.org


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