10 Books About Moving For Kids

We’re moving. We moved into our current home when our two oldest children were 2 and 6 weeks old, so for our four children, this is really the only house they’ve ever known. As we start to pack and talk about a new home, lots of emotions are stirred up. It is important to help kids understand the coming changes and help them process and work through their emotions, while also reassuring them and building excitement! The following books are a great place to start – and may even bring comfort to you as the parent!

If you are moving or considering a move in your future, I urge you to check out the following books, and select a few for your children.

1. The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan Berenstain

berenstain bears moving day

There is a Berenstain Bears book for just about EVERY situation a child will encounter. In this story, Brother Bear is moving from the only house he’s known into the now “infamous” Bear family tree house. Like most children he worries if he will like the new house, have new friends there, etc. Brother Bear learns to trust his mother and father and sees that a move was the best thing for his family.

2. Little Critter: We are Moving by Mercer Mayer

We are Moving

So many of us grew up with Little Critter. In this book, Little Critter shares many of the worries and concerns young children have about moving. He worries if he will get to keep his things. He worries about attending a new school. He sees that his parents are excited, but isn’t so sure if he should feel the same way. A great book for kids worried about things being different.

3. Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst

I’m a huge fan of Alexander. I think every child and every parent can relate to having an “Alexander” type of day. I love this book because it doesn’t paint moving as a sunshine and unicorns type of experience. It validates the fears, thoughts, and emotions that kids go through when their family decides to move…..and it does all that in a funny way.

4. Boomer’s Big Day by Constance W. McGeorge

This is a fun take on a story about moving. Told from the point of view of the family dog, this story talks about all of the events surrounding a big move (ie -packing, movers, moving truck, etc.) in a fresh way.

5. My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary, Big Move: A workbook for children moving to a new home by Lori Attanasio Woodring Ph.D.

This is a combination book/workbook for kids to help them work through all of their emotions that come with moving. It also helps them create memories about their old house. It helps kids see moving as an “adventure” but also completely validates their emotions and helps them process the changes happening around them. The book says it is for ages 5-11, but I am wondering if they make them for 33 year olds…..

6. Goodbye House by Frank Asch

I love this book because even now as an adult, I relate so heavily to the emotions Baby Bear is feeling. (Frank Asch, You Move Me!) This book helps kids process what it is going to be like to see their house become empty. You and your children may enjoy the idea of saying goodbye to each room in the house. It may read a bit “sad”, but I think sadness is a healthy emotion to experience, and it is good to prepare our children for what happens in a move.

7. A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

This is a great book about moving to toss in the mix – especially if a few of your other selections are more on the “heavy-handed” side. This book talks about moving, home relocation, and making changes, but can allow a child to think about moving without having to heavily internalize it.

8. The Leaving Morning by Angela Johnson 

This book really got to me – in a wonderful, pulled-at-my-heartstrings kind of way. I may or may not have been moved to tears as the family snuggles together in the empty house one last time.

9. Moving House by Mark Siegel

I love the “moral” of this story – that a house really becomes a home because of family. Love it. Love. Love. Love. (And it’s pretty fun and whimsical too!)

10. Big Ernie’s New Home: A Story for Children Who are Moving by Teresa Martin

I love that this book acknowledges the details that will change with a move – everything from smells and sounds to changes in routine. This is a wonderful book to help kids work through the changes big and small that happen with a move.