Five distinctly different picture books for new school and nursery starters, or kids going back after the long hols

It's a big day for a lot of kids and parents right across the country, as children either start "Big School" (or even Nursery) for the first time, or return to school full of vim, vigour and energy ready to fill their brains with tons of fun new things.

We haven't done a "Back to School" roundup in a while so here's five brilliant picture books with a school or nursery theme.

First is "First Week at Cow School" by Andy Cutbill and Russell Ayto. This is the hilarious follow-up to Andy and Russell's hilarious "The Cow that Laid an Egg" and "The Best Cow in Show" books. Once again starring Marjorie the slightly confused and bonkers cow, and her very odd offspring Daisy, it's a fabulously funny 'fish out of water' take on starting school, making new friends and trying to work out what you're best at.

With tons of funny moments, and a gloriously chaotic art style, it's definitely a good book to cheer up kids who might feel like they'll never make any friends or be good at anything when they start out in class.

"First Week at Cow School" by Andy Cutbill and Russell Ayto is out now, published by HarperCollins Children's Books. 



Next, another hilariously funny book and the follow-up to one of our favourite picture books of all time...

"My Busy Being Bella Day" by Rebecca Patterson is the follow up to the hilarious Roald Dahl Funny Prize Winning "My Big Shouting Day".

This time Bella is off for a day at nursery, leaving her tiny (and adorable) sibling Bob to spend the day with Mum.

Bella worries and wonders what Bob's probably getting up to, while Bella has so much school work to do.

Singing, painting, tidying up, an afternoon nap - it's all go when you're a little tot.

Though we still think the original book is the best thing ever, this is a very cute and funny follow up (with a slightly calmer / less tantrum-fuelled Bella). Bob is, of course, the scene stealer in every page (as Charlotte pointed out, he reminds her of her little baby cousin so much!).

"My Busy Being Bella Day" by Rebecca Patterson is out now, published by Jonathan Cape PB.



Next is a fabulous new book that's out just in time for the new school year...

"Going to School" by Rose Blake is a nice calming and beautifully detailed and wonderfully illustrated little book, going through the school day for a new starter.

There's the journey to school, finding your coat peg, meeting your new teacher and lots of friends to make and have fun with.

Then there are all the fun lessons from learning about colours and numbers, to fun and games in P.E.

Rose's book is a thing of beauty, perfectly designed to stave off anxiety issues for kids who might find the prospect of school very daunting, particularly if they've moved to a new area or are going to big school for the first time.

"Going to School" by Rose Blake is out now, published by Frances Lincoln Children's Books. 



Now something really different. Imagine if you were going to school for the first time, and you were the only person there...! Wow!

In "The Only Pupil in The School" by Liu Hsukung, Translated by Xinlin Wang, that's exactly what happens to a young girl on her first day. The teachers are determined that they're going to keep their jobs - so they set out to turn the young girl into the school's star pupil (which should prove no problem at all as she's the only pupil!)

The teachers are a little pushy, each clamours loudly about the virtues of their particular subjects and fields of expertise and rather than engaging the girl's interest, it makes her want to curl up into a ball and hide away.

During one lesson the girl slips out of the window of school - and discovers a whole world of amazing things right on her own doorstep. Can the young girl learn far more from the world by experiencing it first hand than she ever could in a class? And can the teachers understand her point of view - that lessons can be learned in and out of school?

This is a hugely impressive book and if this speaks of the sort of quality we'll see from Balestier then we'll be keeping a very close eye on their output from now on. Hsukung's glorious pastel drawings are truly lovely, child-like as is the intention as the book is written from the girl's point of view - but really beautiful and ethereal - particularly the section where the girl makes her own book about her experiences.

If you're after something really different, beautiful and diverse, this is a fantastic choice. "The Only Pupil In School" by Liu Hsukung, translated by Xinlin Wang is out now, published by Balestier Press. 



Last but not least, more fun and laughter - after all is that not one of the best things about going back to school?

"I Don't Want to Go to School" by Stephanie Blake is a fantastic addition to Stephanie's brilliant "Simon" series, starring the brilliantly funny rabbit (and of course his scene-stealing sibling Gaston!)

In the story, Simon absolutely DOES NOT want to go to school and makes no bones about telling everyone. Over breakfast, he's adamant. while getting dressed he's stubborn, and even when being walked to school by his dad, he's determined. He does not want to go to school and that's that!

Amusingly Simon, (just like Charlotte when she was younger), soon realises that once you're there and sat down, and immersed in all the things that happen in class, school doesn't seem so bad after all - but what happens when it's pick-up time?

Stephanie Blake's humour in both her storytelling and her illustration really makes her books stand out. They're cheeky, irreverent, and Simon is like a bunny version of Bart Simpson - a wee bit naughty but you can't help but like the little fellah.



Whatever happens with your little ones on their first day back, we hope you all have a fantastic time - and that there's plenty of time for stories!