How to Go to Big School by Sarah Ayoub

Sarah Ayoub’s new gently reassuring story follows on from the success of How to Be a Friend and captures heartwarming and practical details about what you need to know for starting school.

Big school is a place where all children go
when it’s time to learn new things and grow.
It’s a big change that’s worth the wait –
one that those you love will celebrate!

Learn all about going to big school! Find out how to get ready in the morning, what to bring, the teachers and friends you’ll meet, and where you’ll play and learn together.

A gentle and reassuring story to help children prepare for school from the creators of The Love That Grew and How to Be a Friend.

About the Author: Sarah Ayoub is a freelance journalist, bestselling author and academic based in Sydney, Australia. Her bylines have appeared in The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, Marie-Claire, ELLE, Sydney Review of Books, Meanjin and more, and she regularly appears at many of Australia’s major literary festivals.

She is the author of three teen novels, including the Inky-longlisted The Yearbook Committee, and four children’s picture books, including The Love That Grew and How to Be a Friend. She holds a PhD in ethnic teen literature, is a sessional academic at the University of Sydney and sits on the board of the Australian Society of Authors.

Mimi Purnell is an illustrator and graphic designer born in England and now living in Australia. After completing a degree in Creative Industries she designed for agencies, animations and films and is now focusing her time on creating sweet illustrations and spending lots of time outdoors.

25 Nov 2025
 

How to Go to Big School: A heartwarming new picture book about the first day of school by Sarah Ayoub ISBN 9781460767122