Where Are We Going?


“I miss our old home,” I say. “I miss my friends and my garden.”
Birdsong, Julie Flett

Illustration of a curious cat standing on its hind legs and looking into a cardboard box labeled "Toys," where a plush pink bunny and crumpled packing paper are visible. The playful drawing evokes the theme of moving day for toddlers, tying into a blog post about picture books that gently explore big changes.


Some goodbyes are quiet. Some are exciting. Some are a bit of both.

Moving to a new home is a big change for little ones. It means saying goodbye to familiar rooms, parks, and sometimes even people. But it can also be the start of something new and wonderful and exciting.

Here are six gorgeous books to help toddlers and young children explore the feelings that often come with a move.

Cover of "Moving Day" by Teri Roche Drobnick, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. A whimsical house with arms and legs walks down a colourful street, carrying suitcases as it moves to a new location. This imaginative indie picture book gently explores change, transition, and the feeling of finding a new home.


Moving Day by Teri Roche Drobnick & Jennifer Black Reinhardt

This one's a bit different because it's told from the perspective of a house that’s being moved from one location to another. It's inspired by the real-life story of moving a 139-year-old, 133-ton Victorian house six blocks this imaginative story brings fresh perspective to the idea of transition. The house feels nervous, curious, and eventually excited as it rolls toward its new neighbourhood. With whimsical illustrations and a heartfelt tone, this independently published picture book gently explores change, belonging, and what it means to be home.


Cover of "Moving Day!" by Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko, showing a smiling girl sitting on a large moving box at the back of a yellow moving truck filled with furniture and toys. She holds scissors and tape, surrounded by clutter and energy. This funny Canadian picture book helps children understand moving to a new house through humour and chaos.


Moving Day! by Robert Munsch & Michael Martchenko

This high-energy Canadian classic turns a family move into a chaotic, laugh-filled adventure. Erika isn’t thrilled about leaving her old house, but her family’s determination to bring everything with them including the bathtub! Munsch’s usual humour makes this one fun to read aloud and perfect for kids who need a little lightness around a big transition.

Cover of the children's book "Birdsong" by Julie Flett, featuring a young girl and an elderly woman standing in a grassy field under a pink sky with flying birds. A brown-roofed white house and autumn trees appear in the background. This gentle Canadian picture book explores moving, intergenerational friendship, and finding connection in a new home.


Birdsong by Julie Flett

In this quiet, heartfelt story, a young girl moves to a new home and slowly builds a friendship with her elderly neighbour. Through changing seasons, she finds comfort in art, connection, and small moments of beauty. This award winning beautiful Canadian book that honours the slower pace of adjustment and speaks to children who feel the depth of leaving and belonging.

Cover of "Bad Bye, Good Bye" by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Jonathan Bean. The image shows a family driving in red cars through a stormy sky that shifts to sunshine, with moving boxes strapped to the roofs. This emotionally expressive picture book uses bold artwork and sparse rhyming text to help children process the feelings that come with moving to a new home.


Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood & Jonathan Bean

Told in spare, rhythmic language, this book captures the disorienting swirl of emotions that often come with moving. The art shifts from stormy to soft as the child’s feelings evolve, showing how sadness can give way to curiosity and even joy. Using art to express emotions is a powerful and even validating to "read" for kids who don’t quite have the words yet.

Cover of "The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day" by Stan and Jan Berenstain, showing Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Brother Bear carrying furniture and a birdcage up a ramp into a moving truck. The text highlights a bonus sticker offer inside. This classic picture book helps young children prepare for moving to a new home with gentle storytelling and familiar characters.


The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan & Jan Berenstain

In this classic story, Brother Bear faces the uncertainty of leaving his old treehouse behind. He’s not so sure about the new place until he sees his new room and realizes his family is right there with him. This is a great first moving story for little ones who know the Berenstain Bears or need a bit of extra reassurance.

Bonus: Some copies of this book come with free stickers!

Cover of "Boomer’s Big Day" by Constance W. McGeorge, illustrated by Mary Whyte. A golden retriever lies on the floor surrounded by moving boxes and packing paper, looking curious and slightly confused. This gentle picture book follows a dog’s perspective on moving day, helping young children understand change and adjustment through a comforting animal lens.


Boomer’s Big Day by Constance W. McGeorge & Mary Whyte

This one's a big different because it's told from the perspective of a loyal dog instead of a main character or child. Boomer wakes up to find everything in his home changing. His confusion mirrors what many toddlers feel during a move, especially when routines are disrupted and nothing feels familiar. By the end of the book, Boomer finds his food dish, his people, and his place in the new house and everything starts to feel okay again.

Did you know? In Quebec, July 1st isn’t just Canada Day, it’s also known as Moving Day. Each year, thousands of families pack up and settle into new homes so be sure to book those moving trucks early! So this weekend felt like the right moment to share a few of our favourite picture books that make space for big emotions, big boxes, and the small but important goodbyes that come with moving.


For behind-the-scenes updates from our own picture book project, visit littlegoodbyes.ca.

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Location: Canada

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