For a 3-year-old starting nursery, Owl Babies by Martin Waddell is about three baby owls waiting for their mother to come back, and its publisher describes it as a read for children starting pre-school. Maisy's Nursery by Lucy Cousins follows Maisy through building blocks, counting and story time at nursery, and Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival is a starting point for talking about hidden worries.
This guide is for parents and carers of a child who is about to start nursery or pre-school, especially a child who finds it hard when you leave. It includes picture books about saying goodbye, books that show what happens at nursery, books about feelings and worries, and stories about making friends.
For children aged 3 and up who worry when a parent leaves. Sarah, Percy and Bill wake to find their mother gone and wait on their branch for her to return; the publisher describes it as a read for toddlers who have worried about mum leaving and for children starting pre-school.
For children aged 3 and up who want to know what happens at nursery. In this board book Maisy and her friends play with building blocks, count to five and sit down for story time, and a pop-out play scene helps little ones learn the day-to-day routine.
For toddlers aged 0 to 2, so it suits children who start nursery before they turn three. In this tabbed board book Spot spends a day at nursery with his friends, and each spread looks at sharing, taking turns and working as a team.
For children who miss someone while they are apart. A mother tells her two children that they are connected to the people they love by an invisible string made of love, and the story opens up conversations about love and being apart.
For children aged 3 to 5 who keep worries to themselves. Ruby finds a worry that grows bigger every day until it makes her sad; the book is written as a starting point for talking about hidden worries.
For children aged 3 to 5 who are still learning to name how they feel. In this board book a little girl helps the confused Colour Monster understand his feelings by showing him what each one means through a colour.
For children aged 3 to 5 who find it hard to join in. Meesha loves making things but doesn't know what to say, or when to say it, to other children, until she discovers a special talent that might help her make new friends.
For children aged 3 to 5 who are quiet or shy in a group. A small mouse, fed up of being ignored, sets out to learn to roar like Lion, and finds that even the biggest animals are scared sometimes.
Most of the picture books here are listed for ages 3 to 5, and Owl Babies and Maisy's Nursery are published for ages 3 and up. Spot and Friends is a board book listed for ages 0 to 2.
Yes. Maisy's Nursery follows Maisy and her friends through building blocks, counting and story time, with a pop-out play scene. Spot and Friends follows Spot through a day at nursery with his friends.
Owl Babies is about three baby owls waiting for their mother to come home. The Invisible String is about staying connected to the people you love when you are apart.
Yes. Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg follows a group of children from their very first day to the end of the school year, and covers feelings from fear to excitement.
Selected by Fox & Fable from books in stock. Last updated 30 September 2026.
