Kindergarten is a bittersweet time for both parents and kids. It’s true that this momentous occasion may even be a scary for many children. Books are a fantastic way to help prepare children for this new situation. You can help ease your child’s fears and anxieties by reading a few of these back to school books before the school year begins. The first day jitters will be much less after you read how these kids handled their first day of kindergarten!
While you are filling backpacks with crayons, pencils, and glue sticks be sure to fill your bookshelf with some of these classic stories.
Best Back to School Books to Prepare for Kindergarten
Biscuit Goes to School – Biscuit wants to go to school. He wants to go to class, have a snack in the cafeteria, and hear a story in the library. Most of all, Biscuit wants to meet the teacher! But dogs aren’t allowed in school. What will happen when the teacher discovers Biscuit?
Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School – Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about the first day of school.
I Am Absolutely Too Small for School – Lola is not so sure about school. After all, why would she need to count higher than ten when she never eats more that ten cookies at a time? Once again, it’s up to ever-patient big brother Charlie to persuade Lola that school is worthwhile — and that her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, will be welcome, too.
The Kissing Hand – School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary.
Countdown to Kindergarten – It’s just ten days before kindergarten, and this little girl has heard all there is to know–from a first grader–about what it’s going to be like. You can’t bring your cat, you can’t bring a stuffed animal, and the number one rule? You can’t ask anyone for help. Ever. So what do you do when your shoes come untied–and you’re the only one in the class who doesn’t know how to tie them up again?
The Pirate of Kindergarten : Doubles are good for lots of things—double scoops of ice cream, double features at the movies. But double vision is NOT a good kind of double. In fact, it can make kindergarten kind of hard. Ginny sees double chairs at reading circle and double words in her books. She knows that only half of what she sees is real, but which half? The solution to her problem is wondrously simple: an eye patch! Ginny becomes the pirate of kindergarten.With the help of her pirate patch, Ginny can read, run, and even snip her scissors with double the speed! Vibrant illustrations from Lynne Avril capture the realities of what Ginny sees both before and after.
Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten! (Let’s Get Ready Series): Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten!’ seems to cover everything – ABC’s, numbers, shapes, colors, the seasons, time and clocks, and even using a telephone.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Mom, It’s My First Day of Kindergarten! – It’s a child’s first day of kindergarten, but who is worried about all the new people and the different things he’ll meet–the child? No! The mother. In a refreshing reversal of roles, the child takes it upon himself to comfort and reassure his mother that everything will be fine, she’ll get used to him going to big-kid school, and yes, he is ready for the first day of kindergarten.
Off To Kindergarten – A touching story of first-day jitters and hopes, Tony Johnston’s rhyming text is paired with Melissa Sweet’s delightful illustrations. So begins the long list of things Bill absolutely needs for his first day of school. Along with his pillow and some cookies, he also plans on bringing his sandbox, some digging moles, and a moving truck!
Now I am in Kindergarten – Develop a keepsake to treasure and share for generations. Record important first school experiences in this interactive memory book you create with your child!
Look Out, Kindergarten Here I Come – The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can’t wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting. When he gets to school, though, he’s not so sure he’s ready for kindergarten. But before long Henry discovers that the only thing he’s not ready for is how much fun he’s going to have at school!
Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten – Annie Grace wears her “Adventure Annie” cape to her first day of kindergarten, and proceeds to barrel through the day, searching for adventure in every moment. Her interpretation of the class’s Gold Star Rules isn’t exactly what her teacher, Mr. Todd, had in mind. But somehow Annie does manage to save the day when two of her classmates get lost on their way to retrieve the afternoon snack.
The Berenstain Bears Go to School – Sister Bear, nervous about entering kindergarten, overcomes her fears when she discovers that school is really fun.
The Night Before Kindergarten – It’s the first day of school Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all–saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won’t be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is
Kindergarten, Here I Come! – This adorable picture book celebrates all the familiar milestones and moments shared by every single kindergartener. Whether it’s the first-day-of-school jitters or the hundredth-day-of-school party, every aspect of the kindergarten experience is introduced.
Kindergarten Rocks! – Dexter already knows everything there is to know about kindergarten. His big sister, Jessie, told him all about it. So Dexter is not scared. Not even a little bit. But his stuffed dog, Rufus, is scared. Actually, he’s terrified. But Dexter–er, Rufus–has nothing to fear: As he’ll soon find out, kindergarten rocks!
Did we miss your favorite back to school books or do you love one of the books above? We would love to read all about it in the comments!
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Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more
This is a fantastic list! My kids read a number of these books daily when they were younger and it helped them a lot.
This is a great list Leandrea! We’re gearing up for pre-k in my house, but it’s never too early to start preparing. Thanks for sharing!
Great list! Love the classics – Amelia Bedelia and Berenstain Bears. 🙂