I Don't Want to Move: A Surprising Journey of Friendship and Adventure

by Carolyn Watkins, Emily Hercock (Illustrator)

Discover the magic of new beginnings in this heartwarming tale that empowers kids to embrace change and build meaningful relationships!

This uplifting story follows Charlotte, a young girl who learns the valuable lessons of resilience, adaptability, and empathy when she moves to a new home and school.

Embark on a heartfelt journey with Charlotte as she overcomes her fears and transforms from being the "new kid" to becoming an inspiring school ambassador. This enchanting book not only captures the challenges of starting over but also highlights the beautiful rewards of forging new friendships and creating lasting memories.

Gold Award Recipient of Mom's Choice Awards
* 5 Star Review from Reader's Favorite
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Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Ebooks, Fiction

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2022

About the author

Carolyn is a multi-award-winning author with a Master's degree in education. Her years as an elementary teacher and special education consultant have inspired her to write relatable stories that children love to read. Carolyn resides in New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

When sharing stories with my children; grandchildren now. I like their selections and favourites but I love to push the boundaries and get onto subjects that have a practical place in their lives and experience.
Like: Going to the Dentist; Being a big brother or Going on a bus.
Moving home or changes in general are hard to raise and prepare kids for. That is why I was drawn to this title. "I don't want to move".
We often expect the rest of the family to get behind such decisions. It can be a struggle at any age but for younger school aged kids it can be their first major upheaval.
This book therefore presents the issues and offers some 'solutions' for overcoming those difficulties.
Printed in the USA - don't let this put your off.
I liked that the parent voices "I love my old house." The issues are then clearly given from a child's perspective. Moving to a bigger house and a new school only means leaving friends and strating a new school.
Well written and supported by bright colourful illustrations.
Loved the idea of a shared experience and how we make friends and use new skills to our benefit and for the advantage of others
I think we'll grow to like Charlotte through her story of making new friends and gain confidence through the support she was offered and the new friends she ultimately made.

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte is a young girl who learns the lessons so valuable of resilience, adaptability and most important empathy when she moved to her new home and school.

As it is said that it always takes a first step and rest follows. She too overcome her fear of losing old friends and neighbourhood but when she entered her new school she realised that it was all dilemma in vain.

She adopted new place and get it become her new comfort zone.

My Netgalley reviews: https://www.netgalley.com/book/271083...

[Liliana Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlotte is going to move to a bigger house, and with it, she's going to change schools. She doesn't want to change because she will lose her friends.
It's a book about change, like making friends at a new school. It was a good read, and is definitely an important topic for children.

[Priya Arun · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I Don’t Want to Move" by Carolyn Watkins is a cozy, short read that takes readers on an unexpected journey of friendship and adventure. The story centers around Charlotte, who is reluctant to move to a bigger house and attend a new school. She feels out of place and anxious about leaving her old friends behind.

However, with her mother's support and encouragement, Charlotte gains the courage and confidence to face the change. What follows is an intriguing question: Will Charlotte adjust to her new school? Was she happy in the end, and did she make new friends? The suspense of these questions keeps the reader engaged.

This is a perfect book for children, teaching lessons on bravery, confidence, adaptability, and acceptance. It weaves together love, friendship, and adventure beautifully.

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Don't Want To Move by Carolyn Watkins is a children's picture book about the pitfalls of moving, going to a new school, and making new friends. It's a great book for children between the ages of three and six.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of I Don't Want To Move by Carolyn Watkins. I loved the cover art of this picture book and was excited to be approved to read and review this book in exchange for my honest review.

Although this book does a fairly good job at explaining the moving process on a child friendly level, I felt like it made it seem a little too easy. I also found some of the transitions to be a bit choppy.

All in all, I think this is a great book for parents to buy for their young children when they are going to move. It opens the door for the parents to have a dialogue with their children about moving and what to expect. I gave I Don't Want To Move by Carolyn Watkins four out of five stars.

[Venky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and faith affirming story that will act as inspiration for children and parents alike, Carolyn Watkins’ “I don’t Want to Move”, makes for a very positive and optimistic read. Little Charlotte’s parents are moving, and this means parting with her trusted set of friends, bidding goodbye to her lovely old school and getting acclimatized to a totally different set of friends and a “silly new” school. A pizza party followed by a sleepover with her friends gives Charlotte only a few temporary hours of relief. However, a combination of supporting parents, a proactively friendly classmate Janelle, and some wise words of the school counsellor ensures that all’s well that ends well for Charlotte and her family.

Using exquisitely created illustrations, courtesy, Emily Hercock, Carolyn Watkins demonstrates how children can be assisted to come out of their comfort zone and explore new possibilities and experience new potentialities. Even though an ultra slim book primarily catering to kids, “I Don’t Want to Move” is an ennobling addition for parents as well.

[Anna]

Thank you NetGalley and Books Go Social for the opportunity to read "I Don't Want To Move" in exchange for my honest review.

This is a wonderful tool for educators and parents to use if they are moving and children are expressing their worry about the move or going to a new school. Charlotte is sad about moving - she loves her house and doesn't want to leave her friends, school and teachers for a bigger house and a big new school. She is told that she can keep her old friends but she will make new ones too. Even though she has all her old things in the new house she feels alone. She has a sleep-over to invite her old friends over to see her new room. She's happy to see her old friends but sad at the same time.

She's very nervous about her new school - she doesn't know anyone and she worries about making friends. A girl named Janelle is the only one to say "hi" to her and she's the only one to sit with her at lunch. She plays alone on the playground. Her family meets with the school counselor and they come up with some strategies for Charlotte. These techniques can help any child. When they are sad or frustrated they can hold their breath for a count of 5 and they will start to relax and feel better. Soon Charlotte is making new friends with a lunch group. Then a new girl comes to the school and Charlotte is no longer the "new kid". She happily shows the new girl around the school because she remembers how hard it was to be new.

[PJ Sofocleous · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Don’t Want to Move is a lovely heartfelt story about a young girl facing the challenge of moving to a new school. This story resonated with me because, despite the story being about an older girl, many of the emotions she feels are those I recognised in my own daughter when she began pre school at age 3.5 and didn’t know anyone.

In the story we see Charlotte receive the news she will be transferring to a new school. She is understandably very anxious and reluctant to leave her friends and familiarity of her old school.

As the story unfolds we see a beautiful message conveyed. Charlotte makes a lovely new friend who encourages her to seek help. We see how important just one good friend really can be!

Charlotte soon settles into her new school and actually becomes the one who then helps Catherine, another new student to settle in.

I believe this story really shows the importance of kindness, and teaches children not only how to deal with big changes in their own lives but also how they can make a big difference in the lives of others too!

Such a wonderful read, and illustrated beautifully!

[Joey Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Booksgosocial and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Charlotte liked her school, her house and her friends, but her parents are moving. She struggles to settle into her new school, she struggles to make friends. She meets with the school counsellor and there finds a few friends and slowly start to feel better.

Charlotte really enjoyed her life, the thought of a new school scared her, a new teacher, having to try and make new friends. On her first day she only makes one friend. The portrayal of the feelings and struggles is great and explained really well. It’s a daunting thing having to redo everything you’d been comfortable with for your whole life and adjusting can be hard to do.

This book could be a great helper if you’re planning on moving to help give your child some guidance and help the process go a bit smoother. It’s a well written book, with a sweet message and great advice written within the story of what to do and how to figure out how to fit in at a new school.

[Melissa Blizzard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte has to move to a new home with her family! She loves her old home, her old school, and all of her friends who she must leave behind when she moves. She voices her concerns many times to her parents, but they insist that she must move to a new home in a new neighborhood anyway! Soon enough, just as anticipated, she learns to appreciate her new school, makes new friends, and learns that such a major transition as this move into a new home is not nearly as bad as she had feared.

I Don't Want to Move: A Surprising Journey of Friendship and Adventure is a charming children's picture book that will help any and every child who is faced with such a major transition. Young readers will be able to empathize with young Charlotte who has to transition into a new home in a new neighborhood and attend a new school where she must learn to make new friends.

For any child who struggles with changes, new routines and lifestyles, or simply struggles to relate to peers and form new friendships this will be a welcome and cherished book.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Don't Want to Move is a great book for families when they are planning a move as well as for classrooms when they are going to be welcoming new students. Charlotte's family is moving to a new house in another part of town. She will be attending a new school and she is very sad. She will miss her friends and her teacher that she loves. First, her mother assures her that she will be keeping her old friends, but will make new ones. Her new teacher pairs her up with a buddy, who helps her adjust and recommends that she meet with the school counsellor for strategies. (Not sure if this is available at all schools). As she adjusts and meets new students she relaxes and when another new girl arrives in their class, she is happy to be her class buddy, show her around the school and be her friend. With wonderful illustrations adding to the story and showing emotions and feelings, this is a good book to help with that "New Kid" event.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly decent look at a girl anxious about being moved to a new home and school by her well-intentioned mother. It will be picked from the shelves as a lesson-giver more than as entertainment, but it's colourful, and the text conveys the fretting of the girl at having no friends and too much that is new all at once (even if the otherwise more than decent art is a little too wooden in portraying such heightened emotions). And in (spoiler alert) holding attention on the girl until someone else turns up as a newbie and needs a helping companion, it spreads the whole pay-it-forward philosophy, so that whole classes at a time can see the benefit given of being friendly to fresh arrivals. A strong four stars.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving can be very difficult for young children. Can cause anxiety and affect performance at school and home. Charlotte learned she was moving to a bigger house and a new school. She was not impressed and she knew how difficult it would be. Her story covers all that she felt and how others helped her. She learned a valuable lesson when later a new girl arrived at the school. She was able to be there for her and help her adjust just like she was helped.

If you are moving, this will be a good resource for your student to get the help they need.

A special thank you to Books Go Social and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Marin . · Rating 3 out of 5]

I DON'T WANT TO MOVE explores children's feelings and adjustments related to moving.
The author captures well the fact that humans are creatures of habit and kids are no exception.
The title can be used as a guide to help youngsters manage the anxiety that often accompanies the impact of the rather popular contemporary event of moving to a new house and a new school.
The storyline is simple, the words are not difficult to comprehend, and the illustrations are a good map of the story.
The transitions are a bit bumpy but the book acknowledges the importance of finding new friends and accustoming to a new environment.

[Rella B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I Don't Want to Move!" by Carolyn Watkins is a heartfelt and relatable picture book that addresses the emotional challenges children face when dealing with change. Through vibrant illustrations and simple yet impactful storytelling, the book explores the feelings of fear and resistance that arise when a child is told they have to move to a new home. Charlotte's journey of acceptance and eventual excitement provides a comforting message for young readers. Watkins' writing is accessible, offering both empathy and encouragement to children navigating similar experiences. This book is a great resource for parents and educators looking to ease the anxieties of children facing transitions.

[Sally Wilsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are spot on and very appealing to look at. This is the story of Charlotte and her move to.a big new house and school. Charlotte is thinking to much of what she will be loosing, like friends, her old school. She thinks about this so much she is not opening herself up to ,making new friends, while still keeping the old ones in her life. It is hard for children especially when there is a move. This book deals with it in an honest and open way. I highly recommend this book.

[Kimberly Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book for kids who move!

We just moved and my son went through the exact same feelings as Charlotte! This is a totally relatable story with an important topic. It's a great tool to use for kids who are feeling Overwhelmed with transition. I can also see a school counselor using this in her office. Offers great techniques for dealing with a big transition. I was a fan of this author before and this totally sealed the deal. Great story!

[Zara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Watkins has created a masterpiece with 'I Don't Want to Move!' The story of Charlotte is not only relatable but also incredibly empowering for children facing change. As a parent, I appreciated the positive message about resilience and the importance of embracing new experiences. My kids loved following Charlotte's journey and were inspired by her ability to turn a challenging situation into a positive one. The book's vibrant illustrations and heartfelt story make it a standout.

[Leanne Tharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte's family is moving to a new house. She's nervous about having to go to a new school and make new friends. Charlotte grows as a character from being apprehensive to showing the school's newest arrival around.
This book is easily relatable for any child who is moving and doesn't want life to change from how it is now.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This children's book has really bright and vibrant illustrations that help tell the story of a little girl who has to move house and becomes the new kid in school because of it.

I think this is a good story for a child who has to start a new school as it has some nice helpful tips for them. It's a nice well written story.

[FairyGodmother Ms Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book to my own children. We enjoyed the pictures and the vibrant cute Charlotte. It’s a story about moving to a new home and school and how nerve wrecking it can be for kids. Charlotte comes through it pretty smoothly lol. Change can be exciting! A great book for kids of any age to read and enjoy

[Joari Orsini · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming tale that encourages children to embrace change and build meaningful relationships. Though the nicely beautifully conveys important themes of resilience and empathy. With its positive message and charming illustrations, it’s a comforting read for young readers facing similar transitions.

[Bonnie Lieberman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children can relate to the theme of the story. The author tried to convey too many feelings about moving instead of focusing on two or three in a short book. I liked the simplicity of the language, which made it easy for young ones to understand. The illustrations are a bit static, and the story has no climax to keep a child engaged.

[Steven Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the concept of making new friends. My only wish was that she was not moving to a bigger house because that seemed like it was a built in excuse that it was ok to move. The next book should be about losing a job and moving into a small apartment but still finding a way to make it work!

[oohlalabooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and shared this book with my kids. We have moved before and they understand the nervousness and emotions Charlotte is going through. I read this on my Kindle and I must add the format was a bit wacky. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy.

[Cash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for making this available..

I feel like this could be such an important book for children. It’s tough moving to a new house let alone a new school and area. This book will definitely help kids transition with change!

[Sara Arnold]

This is a simple yet charming story that gives hope to kids that are faced with a new situation not under their control. It's not easy to go to a new school and make new friends! So many children will relate to Charlotte and enjoy learning how she solves her problems. Cute illustrations!

[Craftofolio Craftofolio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story perfectly explains the feelings and emotion anyone could go through in that situation. It conveys the message clearly so kids can read, understand, and have fun. The illustrations are nicely put out as well, they complement the story.

[Rich Linville · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you feel about leaving your home,and losing your friends? Will you like your new school and make new friends? Find out what happens in this wonderful story that is beautifully illustrated. Highly recommended.

[April Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated children's book about a big change in a child's life. This book, along with Tomorrow's Trailblazers is a great complement to talk about embracing change. Thank you Carolyn. Great job as usual!