When should we start reading about moving?

A week or two before boxes appear works well for most preschoolers. Start with simple picture books about feelings and worries, then add social-skills and activity books as moving day approaches.

Which books suit toddlers and young preschoolers best?

Choose sturdy, simple titles such as Very First Questions & Answers: Why do I (sometimes) feel sad? and pair with a calm activity from First Sticker Book: Feelings.

How can we support worries at bedtime in the new house?

Repeat familiar routines, read a short, reassuring page together, and use practical tips from All About Worries and Fears—naming the worry, taking slow breaths, and planning one nice thing for the morning.

What helps with making new friends after we move?

Read Lift-the-flap First Questions & Answers: How can I make friends? to practice simple scripts for saying hello, taking turns, and joining in—then try them at the park or during a school visit.

Is it worth adding a family book too?

Yes. All About Families celebrates all the ways families look and live, which can reassure kids that your family’s love and routines travel with you, even when the address changes.

The best Usborne books to help kids prepare for a move

Readers and books

January 23, 2026

Moving is a big adventure for young children. Between packing, goodbyes, and that first night in a new bedroom, the right stories and simple activities can make everything feel calmer and more doable. Below are our favorite Usborne titles to support children from toddlerhood through early elementary, with gentle explanations, practical prompts, and lots of reassuring fun.

Before the boxes: talking about change in simple, honest ways

Big changes bring big feelings. All About Worries and Fears explains worries in child-friendly language and shares strategies you can practice together, like naming feelings, breathing slowly, making a simple plan for what comes next. It’s perfect for pre-move jitters and first-night wobbles alike.

For very young children, Very First Questions & Answers: Why do I (sometimes) feel sad? uses sturdy flaps and clear, caring answers to help kids recognize sadness and try small, soothing steps. Keep it handy for bedtime check-ins.

Busy hands, calm minds: activities for pack-up days

When energy is high and boxes are everywhere, focused sticker play can be a lifesaver. First Sticker Book: Feelings invites children to explore emotions while completing lively scenes, making it ideal for screen-free calm in the car, at Grandma’s, or between trips to the front door.

New places, new faces: confidence for making friends

Settling into a new neighborhood or classroom is easier with friendly scripts to try out. Lift-the-flap First Questions & Answers: How can I make friends? breaks social skills into small, doable steps like saying hello, taking turns, joining in, and bouncing back when things feel awkward. Try a page together before a first park visit or school tour.

Family rhythms that travel with you

Alongside friendship skills, it helps to celebrate what’s staying the same: your family. All About Families is a bright, inclusive look at all the ways families live, look, and organize themselves. It's a lovely springboard for talking about how your family will set up in the new home and who’s nearby to help.

Keep the conversation going: everyday feelings support

Moving doesn’t end on moving day. Keep checking in with books you can dip into again and again. All About Feelings gives you rich scenes and vocabulary for everything from nervous and shy to proud and excited, making it great for after-school chats once routines start to settle.