Life

9 Books Every Parent Should Read To Their Child Before Moving

Moving is difficult, especially for kids. Although they may not be packing boxes or struggling to build IKEA furniture, any kind of change can be tough for young people who may not have the vocabulary to express their feelings to their parents. Moving to a new home may require them to leave behind friends, teachers, and even some of their favorite belongings. But you can help your kids adjust with books every parent should read to child before moving.

Most likely, your little ones are unsure about what's in store for them in their new home. Will they make friends at their new school? Will there be monsters in the closet in their new room? Reading with your kids can help them see moving as a transition that many young people face with positive results. A book can allow kids to find comfort and even a little bit of humor in a change that may otherwise seem scary. Try reading some of the books on this list before the moving truck arrives. Afterwards, you can have a discussion with your child about why the move is necessary and some of the great things about their new place. It may take some getting used to, but eventually, your little ones will be happy to call your new house "home."

1

'Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move' by Judith Viorst

And you thought Alexander's days couldn't get any worse. In Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move, the titular character's dad gets a new job and he has trouble adjusting to the changes that come with a move.

2

'I Like Where I Am' by Jessica Harper

A rhyming picture book for preschoolers, I Like Where I Am tells a story about moving through the eyes of the youngest family member, who's not so thrilled about leaving his old neighborhood behind.

3

'The Trip' by Ezra Jack Keats

Louie, one of Keats' beloved characters, has to adjust to a move in The Trip, To cope with the change, he builds a model of his old place that he can visit in his mind when he feels lonely.

4

'A Kiss Goodbye" by Audrey Penn

Preschoolers will be able to relate to Chester Racoon in A Kiss Goodbye. He's having hard time saying goodbye to his old home until he realizes that there is a lot to love about his new home.

5

'Augustine' by Mélanie Watt

A picture book for toddlers and preschoolers, Augustine centers around a young penguin trying to deal with a move from the North Pole to the South Pole.

6

'Hey, New Kid!' by Betsy Duffey

Hey, New Kid! is a chapter book that tells the story of a young boy who makes up some pretty outrageous stories about his family for his classmates at a new school. But when one of his new friends has a party, he may be forced to tell the truth.

7

'My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary, Big Move' by Lori Attanasio Woodring Ph.D.

My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary, Big Move is a workbook written by psychologist, Lori Attanasio Woodring. The activities are geared towards kids ages five to 11 to offer support and help them deal with their emotions around moving.

8

'Who Will Be My Friends?' by Syd Hoff

Who Will Be My Friends is about a kid in a new neighborhood who is worried about being accepted. It's an easy read for kids who are nervous about not making friends.

9

'A Tiger Called Thomas' by Charlotte Zolotow

A Tiger Called Thomas follows Thomas, a shy kid who moves to a new house in. He's afraid that he won't be able to make new friends, until he goes out on Halloween dressed as a tiger and has a great time.