A Heartfelt Guide for Little Movers: Review of Let’s Get Ready to Move! by Beth Breaux

📖 Introduction: A Book That Eases Big Transitions

Moving to a new home is a monumental event in a child’s life—filled with excitement, uncertainty, and sometimes fear. Beth Breaux’s Let’s Get Ready to Move!: Story to Prepare Children to Move to a New House is a tender, reassuring picture book designed to help young children navigate this emotional journey. With its warm storytelling and relatable characters, this book stands out as an essential resource for families facing relocation.

But does it truly resonate with its intended audience? How does it compare to other children’s books about moving? And most importantly—does it offer genuine comfort? Let’s dive deep into this charming story and find out.

📚 Plot Summary: A Gentle Journey Through Change

Let’s Get Ready to Move! follows a young child (whose gender is left open for broader relatability) as their family prepares to move to a new house. The story unfolds in a series of comforting, step-by-step moments:

  • The Announcement: The parents gently break the news, acknowledging the child’s mixed feelings.
  • Packing Up: The child helps sort toys, deciding what to keep and what to donate.
  • Saying Goodbye: The family visits favorite places one last time, validating the sadness of leaving.
  • The New Home: The child explores their new room, meets neighbors, and begins adjusting.

Without giving away too much, the book concludes on a hopeful note, emphasizing that while change is hard, new adventures await.

👧 Character Analysis: Relatable and Reassuring

The protagonist is intentionally designed to be a blank slate—allowing any child to see themselves in the story. This inclusivity is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The parents are portrayed as patient and empathetic, modeling healthy ways to discuss emotions.

Key Character Traits:

  • The Child: Curious, sometimes nervous, but ultimately brave.
  • The Parents: Supportive, honest, and proactive in easing fears.

Breaux avoids heavy-handed lessons, instead letting the child’s natural reactions drive the narrative.

✍️ Writing Style & Narrative Technique: Simple Yet Powerful

Breaux’s writing is clear, rhythmic, and soothing—perfect for young readers. The book uses:

  • Short, digestible sentences for early readers.
  • Repetition of comforting phrases (“Our new home will be different, but it will be good too.”).
  • Interactive questions (“How do you feel about moving?”) to encourage discussion.

The illustrations (if included—some editions may vary) are bright and expressive, reinforcing the emotional beats.

💡 Thematic Exploration: More Than Just a Moving Story

Beyond the surface-level plot, Let’s Get Ready to Move! tackles deeper themes:

  • Emotional Validation: It’s okay to feel sad, scared, or excited.
  • Resilience: Change is hard, but we can adapt.
  • Family Bonds: Moving is a team effort.

These messages are delivered subtly, making them more impactful.

❤️ Personal Reading Experience: Why This Book Stays With You

As someone who moved frequently as a child, I wish I’d had this book! Breaux captures the whirlwind of emotions—the sadness of leaving a beloved home, the thrill of a new room, the nervousness of unfamiliar streets.

One particularly touching moment involves the child saying goodbye to their old house. Instead of rushing past the sadness, the book lets the emotion breathe, teaching kids that grief is part of growth.

🔍 Comparison to Similar Books

How does Let’s Get Ready to Move! stack up against other moving-themed children’s books?

  • Vs. The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day: Breaux’s book is more emotionally nuanced, focusing less on the logistics and more on feelings.
  • Vs. A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle: Both deal with change, but Breaux’s story is more directly applicable to real-life moves.

This book fills a gap by balancing practicality with emotional depth.

✅ Strengths & ⚠️ Minor Weaknesses

Strengths:

✔ Emotionally Intelligent – Validates feelings without sugarcoating.
✔ Interactive – Encourages parent-child discussion.
✔ Inclusive – Works for any family structure or moving scenario.

Weaknesses:

❌ May Need Supplementing – If your move involves a new city/school, additional books might help.
❌ Illustration-Dependent – If the version you get has minimal art, some kids may lose interest.

🎯 Target Audience: Who Should Read This?

  • Ages 3-7 – Ideal for preschoolers and early elementary kids.
  • Parents & Educators – A great tool for preparing kids for transitions.
  • Therapists/Counselors – Useful in child therapy for anxiety around change.

📖 Memorable Quotes

A few standout lines:

“New can be scary, but new can be fun too.”
“We’ll take our love with us—that’s what makes a home.”

These simple yet profound statements stick with you.

🌍 Cultural & Historical Context

While not historical, the book reflects modern parenting trends:

  • Gentle parenting – Validating emotions over dismissing them.
  • Minimalist living – The child donates old toys, teaching decluttering early.

🔗 Get the Book

If you’re preparing a child for a move, Let’s Get Ready to Move! is a must-have.

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon

💬 Discussion Questions for Readers

  1. Did you move as a child? How did you feel?
  2. What’s the best way to prepare a kid for a big change?
  3. Do you think books like this help, or is real-life experience more important?

Drop your thoughts below!

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Let’s Get Ready to Move! is a heartfelt, practical, and beautifully simple guide for families navigating relocation. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, this book will help your child—and maybe even you—feel a little braver.

Get this book on Amazon

For more great reviews and book recommendations, visit Books By Order.

For more great reviews, visit Book Book Owl.