Moving Adventures: Children’s Books to Help Your Little One Cope with Moving
As a military family, we are no strangers to moving. In fact, it’s a way of life. And as we prepare for our next adventure in Japan, I’ve been thinking about the best ways we’ve helped our little ones cope with the changes that come with relocating. One of the most powerful tools in our arsenal has been books. Reading stories about moving to new places, making new friends, and saying goodbye to old ones has helped our kids understand and process the complex emotions that come with this kind of transition. So, as I sifted through our collection of books, I’ve compiled a list of titles that I believe will help your little ones as well.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
“A Kiss Goodbye” by Audrey Penn
“Big Ernie’s New Home: A Story for Young Children Who Are Moving” by Teresa Martin and Whitney Martin
“Boomer’s Big Day” by Constance McGeorge
“Goodbye House” by Frank Asch
“I’m Not Moving, Mama” by Nancy White Carlstrom
“Journey” by Aaron Becker
“Little Critter: We Are Moving” by Mercer Mayer
“The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
“The Leaving Morning” by Angela Johnson
“Gratitude Is My Superpower” by Alicia Ortego
“New House, Same Underwear” by: Brenda Li
Ok! I know this is not a book, but Sesame Street’s Big Moving Adventure is a fun and interactive app that kids may enjoy when preparing for a move. Moving Adventure lets kids create an avatar and virtually explore their new neighborhood, while also completing tasks to earn rewards. So, if you’re looking for some tech-based resources to supplement your book collection, this app could be a great addition!
If you have older kids and want to seed their book list consider these books that tackle themes of identity, friendship, and finding a sense of belonging.
- “Stella by Starlight” by Sharon M. Draper
- “The Great Gilly Hopkins” by Katherine Paterson
- “Blackbird Fly” by Erin Entrada Kelly
- “The Thing About Jellyfish” by Ali Benjamin
- “The Benefits of Being an Octopus” by Ann Braden
Moving can be a tough experience for anyone, especially for kids who may not fully understand what’s happening. But with the help of books and other resources, such as apps and activities, the transition can be made a little smoother. As a military family who has moved around a lot, I can say that in the end, it always works out. So if you’re preparing for a move, don’t hesitate to turn to these books and other resources to help your kids through it. And if you have any other book suggestions or tips for moving with kids, please share them in the comments or reach out to us directly. We’d love to hear from you! And remember, wherever you go, home is where the heart is.