Starting Kindergarten can be both exciting and challenging. Help your child prepare, learn what to expect and talk about their feelings with the help of these books. These titles and more can be found at your local Johnson County Library.
And Then Comes School
by Tom Brenner
Best for: Building excitement about the transition from summer days to school days
Get your kid excited about school with this story that covers the time period between the last days of summer and the first day of class. Follow the characters in the story as they finish their last days of vacation, shop for school supplies, pick out first day outfits, fill their lunchboxes, load their backpacks and finally take photos and eagerly leave for school.
Secret Life of Squirrels: Back to School!
by Nancy Rose
Best for: A whimsical look at school, cuteness overload
Ever seen squirrels prepare for the school year? This back to school story is unique for its visuals. Photographer and author Nancy Rose photographs wild squirrels in her backyard exploring and seemingly participating in miniature school scenes. The results are quite convincing and a lot of fun.
Kindergarten is Cool!
by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Best for: Helping kids know what to expect
This bright and cheery book describes the activities a child experiences on their first day of Kindergarten. The basics including playtime, storytime, recess and lunch are covered. Whereas many books about Kindergarten have worried protagonists, this one just portrays school as a happy and fun environment. This is a great pick for sensitive kiddos that don’t need any new fears suggested to them.
Get Ready for School
by Janet Nolan
Best for: Teaching kids about the different adults they’ll meet at school
Calm any worries and help children learn about the adults they can expect to meet at school. This Richard Scary-esque book follows varied staff as they prepare for school. Readers will meet a bus driver, cafeteria worker, speech therapist, secretary, crossing guard, technology specialist and others.
First Day Hooray!
by June Sobel
Best for: Talking with your child about their school-related emotions
Cheerful watercolor bursts help depict the emotions a class of children experience on the first day of school — happiness, worry, anger, embarrassment, excitement, curiosity and more. This story is great for talking about emotions both before and after the first day of school.
Narwhal vs. Kindergarten
by Vanessa Roeder
Best for: Kids who may need accommodations or those nervous about standing out
During his first week in Kindergarten, Hugo the narwal’s tusk is so tall it gets in the way of getting on the bus, pops a welcome balloon, stops him from trying on a hat and more. His new friends support him by helping him find accommodations. This reassuring story should help any child who feels like they won’t fit in.
Maple and Willow Apart
by Lori Nichols
Best for: Helping siblings deal with separation
Close siblings Maple and Willow’s routine changes when Maple starts Kindergarten and little sister Willow must stay home. Willow feels left out when Maple talks about people and things that Willow doesn’t know and Maple feels left out of Willow’s adventures. Of course their sisterhood prevails in the end.
The Kissing Hand
by Audrey Pen
Best for: Kids who get homesick or worry about missing their parents
When Chester is nervous about going to Kindergarten, his mom reassures him with a secret way to always feel her love. She kisses the palm of his hand and shows him that he can feel that same warmth anytime he places his palm to his cheek. Perfect for kids of any age who might need reassurance about going to school, my mom even gave me a copy of this book when I went off to college.
Breathe Like a Bear: First Day of School Worries
by Kira Wiley
Best for: Teaching techniques to to deal with school jitters
There are quite a few books with stories that address anxiety and worries about starting school but this book is unique for its breathing exercises, mantra and mindfulness prompts. There are even questions for reflection that will help kids talk about their feelings.
Potty Animals: What to Know When You’ve Go To Go!
by Hope Vestergaard
Best for: Prepping kids for using school bathrooms by themselves
Kids will love the rhymes and humorous but practical reminders about bathroom visits. The humorous animal characters address bathroom etiquette like the need to knock before barging in, closing the stall doors and avoiding lollygagging while others are waiting. Note: While the characters in this book are technically preschoolers this book doesn’t feel like a little kids potty training book.
