As a military family, we move on average every three years. We do our best to be optimistic and have a positive attitude towards it. Moving represents new adventures and experiences, but it also means saying goodbye to everything that is familiar. Moving can take its toll physically, mentally, and emotionally on the whole family.
Moving can be an emotional and overwhelming experience for children, but there are plenty of resources that can help them cope with these changes. One of the best ways to support kids through a move is by introducing them to kids books about moving, which offer comforting stories, relatable characters, and valuable life lessons.
We’ve gathered a list of the top children's books that guide young readers through the challenges of relocating, helping them understand and process their feelings about leaving behind the familiar and embracing a new home. Whether you're preparing your child for a big move or looking to soothe their anxieties after a recent one, these stories can be a powerful tool in making the transition smoother for everyone.
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by Stan Berenstain
Includes over 50 bonus stickers!
The Berenstain Bears are moving from the mountains to a tree house. Join them as they pack up and say goodbye to their beloved friends.
by Stephanie Ledyard
Discover the true meaning of "home" with this heartfelt picture book beautifully illustrated by former Pixar animator Chris Sasaki. As a family moves from their familiar house, they learn they can bring everything they love about their old home to the new one. They might be leaving behind a house but still have each other.
by Booke Mahaffey
Welcome to The Dandelion Club! A club that is exclusive to military children. Did you know that the dandelion is the flower of the military child? That is because it is able to put down roots nearly anywhere and it is practically indestructible. In I'm A Dandelion: A PCS Story for Military Children, the author validates the feelings and emotions that military children may experience in the face of a PCS move. Throughout the story, the characters discover the excitement and benefits (the positive side) of moving.
by Brenda Li
Moving can make your child sad, scared, worried, and/ or nervous. This book hilariously makes moving fun by introducing your child to coping strategies to help with the big move. Brian, a pig in jeans, is hesitant about moving into a new neighborhood. Naturally, he does not want to leave his familiar home, change schools, and lose his friends. As the story unfolds, he discovers that there is room in his life for old and new friends. He can, in fact, maintain a connection to his old friends while making new friends.
by Meg Medina
Evelyn Del Rey and Daniela are best friends. They do everything together. They live close to each other, but not after today, today Evelyn is moving away. As her family packs up, the girls play until it's time to say their goodbyes. They promise each other they will always keep in touch.
by Pat Zietlow Miller
Moving can be an uncertain, and maybe even scary time for kids. They will be saying goodbye to neighbors and worrying about making new friends. This picture book inspires young readers to be brave no matter what they are facing.
by Natalie Lee Martin
Bella and Anna are navigating all the things that come with relocating, such as anxieties about starting in a new school, and the difficult task of saying goodbye to old friends.
Do We Have to Move is a multicultural children's book filled with vibrant and bold illustrations, and makes a wonderful gift for military kids or kids of families who relocate frequently.
by Alessandra Cassel
Somebody is moving into Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Moving into a neighborhood and starting in a new school can be scary. Luckily, Daniel Tiger is there to make his new neighbor feel at home. It is a wonderful story for kids who are moving, and for kids who are welcoming a new neighbor or a new student.
by Shermaine Perry-Knights
A book that helps children navigate the challenges of frequent relocations, particularly in military families. It offers a gentle and relatable perspective on moving, capturing Axel’s emotional journey as he adjusts to new environments and friendships. The story validates the feelings of loss and anxiety that often come with moving, while also promoting resilience, problem-solving, and positive mental health. This book fosters important conversations about coping with change, making it a great tool for parents and educators alike.
by Andy Chou Musser
A Home Under the Stars by Andy Chou Musser is a magical and heartfelt picture book that addresses the anxieties and challenges children face when moving to a new home. The story follows Toby, who moves from a quiet rural setting to a bustling city apartment, where the bright lights obscure his beloved stars. Struggling with the change, Toby embarks on an imaginative nighttime adventure, guided by a lion in search of the North Star. Along the way, Toby learns to process his emotions about moving and discovers that home is wherever love and comfort reside, even if it looks different from before. This beautiful book gently explores the emotional journey of finding a sense of belonging in a new place.
by Sally Hopgood
Tortoise has his bags packed and is almost ready to set out on his adventure, but he can't leave until he says goodbye to each and every one of his animal friends. See You Later Alligator is a silly, bright and engaging story with rhyming texts that children will want to read over and over again.
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