Picture books about starting nursery
Starting nursery is a big change. Some toddlers cry at the door, some worry that you will not come back, and many parents wonder: is this normal? Often, yes. These books show goodbyes, worries and happy reunions, so your child can get to know nursery through a story first.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Our Amazon links go to Amazon UK (amazon.co.uk). This guide is run by Amor Picture Books (Nova Group), publisher of the Amor books. Our own books are marked Our book. How we choose.
How to use these books
- 1
Read early, not only the night before
A week or two of nursery stories lets your child ask questions while there is still time.
- 2
Practise with a toy
Teddy goes to "nursery" on the sofa, waves goodbye, and you come back to pick him up. Let your child play the parent too.
- 3
Keep the goodbye short and the same
"One hug, one kiss, a wave at the window. I'll be back after snack time."
- 4
Give something to hold
A kiss in the hand, like in The Kissing Hand, or a small photo if the nursery allows it.
- 5
Tell time with the day, not the clock
"After lunch and after nap, I will come." A child can follow the day more easily than hours.
The list
1. Owl Babies
Martin Waddell
- Age 2 - 4 years
- 32 pages
- Paperback
Three baby owls wake up and their mother is gone. They worry, wait together, and she comes back. A gentle way to talk about goodbyes.
Pick this one if your child worries that you will not come back.
View on Amazon UK2. Llama Llama Misses Mama
Anna Dewdney
- Age Baby - 3 years
- 36 pages
- Board book
Little Llama's first day at preschool, missing Mama, and finding that she comes back at the end of the day.
Pick this one if your youngest is starting and likes rhymes.
View on Amazon UK3. Maisy Goes to Nursery
Lucy Cousins
- Age 2 - 4 years
- 32 pages
- Hardcover
A simple, cheerful day at nursery with Maisy and her friends. Shows what a nursery day looks like.
Pick this one if you want to show what an ordinary nursery day looks like.
View on Amazon UK4. Will You Come Back for Me?
Ann Tompert
- 32 pages
- Hardcover
A little girl worries that her mother will not come back from day care. Calm and reassuring.
Pick this one if the biggest worry is pick-up time.
View on Amazon UK5. The Kissing Hand
Audrey Penn
- Age 3 - 5 years
- 32 pages
- Hardcover
Chester the raccoon is nervous about leaving home, and his mother gives him a kiss to keep in his hand.
Pick this one if you want a goodbye ritual you can copy.
View on Amazon UK6. The Invisible String
Patrice Karst
- Age 3 - 6 years
- 40 pages
- Paperback
An invisible string connects people who love each other, even when they are apart. Good for the older end of the toddler years.
Pick this one if an older child misses you during the day.
View on Amazon UK7. Lulu's First Day
Anna McQuinn
- 32 pages
- Hardcover
Lulu gets ready for her first day away from home, told in a calm, everyday way.
Pick this one if you want a calm, everyday story without much drama.
View on Amazon UK8. Spot Goes to School
Eric Hill
- Age 2 - 4 years
- 20 pages
- Hardcover
Spot's first day, with flaps to lift. Short and familiar for younger toddlers.
Pick this one if your child likes flaps and familiar characters.
View on Amazon UK9. The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!
Mo Willems
- Age 3 - 7 years
- 40 pages
- Paperback
The Pigeon has lots of worries about starting school. Funny, and the Amazon UK listing mentions nursery too.
Pick this one if your child is worried but loves to laugh.
View on Amazon UK
Books with a "Publisher" link: age, pages and format come from the publisher's own page. Other ages come from the Amazon UK page for the edition linked. Pages and format refer to the edition linked. If we could not verify a detail, we leave it out. Details checked 26 Oct 2026.
Questions parents ask
When should we start reading books about nursery?
A few weeks before the first day is a good time, so your child can get used to the idea and ask questions.
My toddler cries at nursery drop-off. Is this normal?
Many toddlers find goodbyes hard at first. A short, calm goodbye and a familiar routine often help.
How can a book help with separation worries?
A story about someone who says goodbye and is picked up again gives you an easy way to talk about how nursery days end.
Is there an Amor book on this list?
No. None of our books is about starting nursery, so we did not include one.