The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown have been well documented and was, as we all agree, an unprecedented time. Even during two world wars, schools remained open so our children are the first generation to ever take an enforced six month break from the normality of school.
Whilst here at Barrow Hills we are lucky to be technologically advanced and forward-thinking enough to have delivered a very high standard of online education to our children during the last months of the last school year, we all know that this is just a small part of the story.
The real concern for most parents will not be the gaps in knowledge but the potential impact on our children’s wellbeing. For many young people, it’s the lack of consistency that they have really missed; and most importantly the lack of seeing their friends in person, sharing their concerns, rejoicing in their achievements and simply being with their companions. In short; children need children.
However, despite now being back with their friends, some of your child/ren will still be feeling anxious about the return to school or are worried about how this year will pan out, so with this is mind I have gathered together a selection of recommended books to support them, all with a school theme. These books cover a range of ages from those starting Reception to those in the Upper Prep. Some are gentle and reassuring, others offer a more practical approach, and some are story based.
‘The Worrysaurus’ by Rachel Bright
‘Meesha Makes Friends’ by Tom Percival
‘Everybody Worries’ by Jon Burgman
‘The Great Big Book of Friends’ by Mary Hoffman
‘Mermaid School’ by Luc Courtnay
‘School’ by Britta Teckentrup
‘The Virus’ by Ben Martygnoga
‘Beneath the Cloud of Doom’ by Louis Sachlar
‘Yes You Can’ by Natasha Devon
Mrs Emmett, Librarian
