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A personalised starting school book for your child

Starting school brings plenty of new details to talk about, from putting on a uniform and finding a peg to sitting in a new classroom and opening a lunchbox. A personalised starting school book puts your child at the centre of a school-day adventure, illustrated from one photo of them. You choose their age, an art style, an adventure and small details that make the story feel close to home. Picture to Story creates a 32-page book with 15 illustrated story spreads, with wording that suits children from babies to age 10. It can be a gentle way to introduce Reception or a new school, giving you shared scenes to discuss before the first morning. Answer a few questions and see the cover free before you pay. A digital version is ready about 10 minutes after ordering, while printed paperback and hardcover editions include shipping.

See 20 story ideas
Cover of “Ava and the Missing Rainbow”, a personalised picture book starring Ava

Starting school book ideas

Pick one to see the story, how the first page could read and who it suits. Each one starts with your child’s photo.

Ages 4-6Your child Meets Their Table TeamOn a first day in Reception, your child is welcomed to a shared table with a simple craft activity waiting. As the morning unfolds, your child learns classmates’ names, takes a turn and moves over to make space for another child.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-5Your child and the Spare PegOn their first morning at school, your child walks into the cloakroom and discovers that every bright, busy peg seems to have a coat already hanging from it. A small spare peg at the end becomes your child's own spot, and the beginning of a friendly conversation before the school day starts.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-5Your child's First Reception MorningOn the morning of Reception, your child puts on their uniform, walks through the school gate and discovers the friendly rhythm of a first school day. From the classroom welcome to lunch, playtime and home-time collection, your child has a practical, reassuring day to look back on.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-6Your child Finds the Classroom DoorOn the first morning at a big new school, your child follows a trail of small landmarks from the entrance to a classroom door marked with a bright sun. Along the way, your child says hello, has lunch and discovers that a few familiar sights can make the route feel like their own.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-6Your child Packs a Brave LunchboxWhen the lunch bell rings on your child's first school day, their familiar lunchbox becomes a small steady thing to hold as they enter the busy dining hall. With a helpful little ladybird and a seat at the table, your child works through the lunchtime routine and heads back to class feeling proud.Their own home town · Coloured pencilAges 4-5Your child's Rainy Playtime PlanDuring a wet first week at school, your child finds that playtime has moved from the playground to the classroom. With a simple plan of games, building and drawing, your child meets a new friend and feels proud to try something new.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 5-8Your child's New School MapWhen your child joins a new school partway through the year, a simple folded map helps them find the hall, library, playground and new classroom. At each stop, your child meets a helpful face and adds one familiar detail to the route back to class.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-6Your child's New Teacher HelloOn your child's first morning in a new classroom, one big question feels tricky to ask. A warm hello from their teacher helps your child speak up, join the day and leave feeling proud.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-7Your child and the Quiet Reading CornerOn their first day at school, your child spots a quiet reading corner behind the busy classroom tables. While looking through a picture book, your child finds a gentle way to talk with another child and feels proud of taking a small first step.Their own home town · Coloured pencilAges 5-6Your child Starts Year OneYour child returns to school ready for Year One, only to find a new classroom, new places for familiar things and a few routines that work a little differently. By the end of the day, your child has found their feet, shared lunch with new friends and feels proud to be a Year One pupil.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 3-5Your child Wears the New UniformYour child has a new uniform waiting on the chair, but which button goes first and where have the shoes gone? With a little searching, trying and looking in the mirror, your child discovers that getting ready is made up of small steps.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-7Your child's First School BusYour child gets ready for a first school bus journey, from waiting at the stop with their bag to saying hello to the driver. As the bus travels towards school, your child follows each step of the new routine and arrives feeling ready for the day.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-6Your child Joins the Playground GameAt school breaktime, your child sees a playground game and takes time to work out how it is played. With a friendly question and a turn in the game, your child helps the group choose a new round and heads back inside feeling proud.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 3-5Your child Learns the School RoutineIn your child Learns the School Routine, your child arrives at school and follows the day step by step, from hanging up their coat to saying goodbye at home time. With each familiar part of the timetable, your child discovers what comes next and feels proud of remembering the routine.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 5-8Your child's First After-School ClubWhen the school bell rings, your child stays behind for their very first after-school club, where a table of unfamiliar faces is ready for a creative challenge. With a small idea, a kind hello and a little patience, your child helps the group make something they can all be proud of.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-7Your child and the Big School AssemblyWhen your child walks into the busy school hall for their first big assembly, they find a spot beside their class and watch what everyone does. As the songs, clapping and listening begin, your child follows along and feels proud to be part of it.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 6-9Your child Has a New School BadgeAfter moving house, your child begins at a new school with a freshly pinned school badge on their jumper. As the day unfolds, the badge becomes a small, steady sign that your child has a place in their new classroom.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 4-7Your child and the First PE LessonYour child worries about changing into PE kit and wonders whether everyone else already knows what to do. With a kind teacher and classmates nearby, your child tries each activity, cheers from the sidelines and leaves feeling proud.Their own home town · Animated filmAges 4-7Your child Brings a Show-and-Tell TreasureYour child chooses a small treasure from home to take into the classroom for show-and-tell. With the treasure safely beside them, your child listens to classmates, takes a turn to speak and heads to lunch feeling proud.Their own home town · Storybook watercolourAges 3-5Your child's First Day Without MumWhen your child says goodbye to Mum at the school gate, the morning feels very long at first. With a small paper heart in their pocket, your child finds one enjoyable thing after another until it is time to be collected.Their own home town · Storybook watercolour

Choosing a story for starting school

Choose details that resemble the parts of the school day your child is likely to notice first. A uniform, a classroom, a coat peg, a packed lunch or sitting alongside other children can make the scenes easy to recognise and talk about. You can also choose an adventure that lets your child practise being brave, asking a question or joining in. Keep the setting broad if you do not yet know every detail of their new school. Pick an art style that suits the kind of pictures your child enjoys looking at, then add a few familiar touches. The result can feel personal without needing to copy their school exactly.

When to read it before the first day

Start reading the book a little before school begins, when there is time for relaxed conversations rather than a rush at the door. Read a few pages after dinner, or bring it out during a quiet part of the weekend. Pause at scenes involving getting dressed, arriving at the classroom or lunchtime, and ask simple questions about what your child thinks might happen. There is no need to cover every part in one sitting. Returning to the same pages can help make the routine feel more familiar. You might read it again the night before, then leave it ready for a calm read after their first day.

How a personalised story can support conversations

A story starring your child gives you a concrete starting point for talking about a new school. Instead of asking a broad question about Reception, you can point to a scene and discuss what the character is doing: putting on a jumper, meeting classmates, choosing a place to sit or opening lunch. This makes space for your child to share what they are looking forward to, what they are curious about and any questions they have. It also gives you natural language for the day ahead, including being brave enough to try, asking an adult for help and feeling proud after joining in. Read it together at your own pace and follow your child’s lead.

Questions

Can I create a personalised book for a child starting Reception?

Yes. Picture to Story is made for children from babies up to age 10, with words per page that grow with your child’s age. You can choose details and an adventure that suit the move into Reception or a new school.

What do I need to make a personalised starting school book?

You need one photo of your child and answers to a few questions, including their name, age, preferred art style, adventure and little details. Your child is then drawn into the illustrated story.

Can I see the cover before I order?

Yes. You can see the personalised cover free before paying. Once ordered, the digital book is ready in about 10 minutes. Printed paperback and hardcover editions are also available, with shipping included.