20 Smart Books To Help Get Your Kids Ready for Preschool or Kindergarten
by Janssen Bradshaw
Unbelievably, my oldest daughter is going into kindergarten this year.
Like every parent, I swear she isn’t old enough — wasn’t she just a baby a few weeks ago?
She’s really excited, but I also recognize she doesn’t have a great feel for what school actually is like. So of course I’ve turned to picture books to help explain what she should expect from kindergarten.
Whether you’re helping your child prepare for preschool or kindergarten, these books are great for helping you talk about what to look forward to and answering questions they may have about all the fun and learning that’s ahead.
RELATED: The First Day and Beyond: Books About Kindergarten for Kids
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Today at School: With Yesterday and Tomorrow
Available from:Sisters Yesterday and Tomorrow are off to their first day of school. The two have differing attitudes, with Yesterday looking to the past and Tomorrow eagerly awaiting the future. After a fight at lunch, they meet a new friend, Today, who helps them enjoy a moment in the present. This sweet story is a must-have for kids starting school.
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Sammy and Sunny's First Day of School
Preorder from:Get ready for a hilarious adventure as Sammy starts kid school and Sunny heads to puppy school! They both feel jittery but end up having a blast, making friends, playing, and learning new things — what surprises will day two bring?
(On sale: 7/29/2025)
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Yeti Is Not Ready for School
Available from:The first day of monster school has Yeti feeling like there are fire-breathing moths in her tummy, but her dad reminds her she's probably not the only one feeling nervous! This colorful picture book is a perfect read to ease pre-first day anxieties.
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Hello Preschool!
Available from:This adorable board book introduces the tiniest readers to a preschool class. From meeting the teacher and making new friends to finding a cubby and participating in circle time, this book will familiarize rising preschoolers with the ins and outs of the classroom.
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Narwhal vs. Kindergarten
Available from:When Hugo the narwhal goes to kindergarten, he runs into a problem — his tusk gets in the way of everything! Thankfully, everyone at school is used to finding solutions to problems and making accommodations. This hilarious and heartwarming story will be a favorite among rising kindergarteners!
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KINDergarten
Available from:There are many ways to show kindness, and this kindergarten class tries to do as many as possible. Even though Leo is nervous for his first day of school, he quickly learns that small acts of kindness add up and get noticed. It’s a beautiful book to calm first-day jitters and encourage young readers to be kind.
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How to Be Kind in Kindergarten
Available from:How to Be Kind in Kindergarten is an adorable handbook for little kids that teaches them how to show kindness to others. From taking turns on the swings to sharing toys, these sweet, simple tips offer guidance to all new kindergarteners.
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The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!
Available from:Another hit in the beloved Pigeon series by Mo Willems! The lovable and expressive Pigeon's resistance to the idea of school provides a relatable and amusing perspective for young readers, making it a perfect read-aloud for easing first-day-of-school jitters.
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Olu’s Teacher: A Story About Starting Preschool
Available from:Despite his parents’ reassurances, Olu feels nervous about meeting his new preschool teacher. However, when he arrives at school, Olu discovers that his teacher is friendly, plays the guitar, and reads stories to the class. Best of all, Olu’s teacher looks like him!
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Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go to School!
Available from:In this charming tale of role reversal, Buddy and his sister Lady are ready for school — and so are the grown-ups! Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, and even the dog are all excited for a fun-filled day of storytime, science experiments, and games. Too bad grown-ups can't go to school. Only kids and teachers!
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Open the Preschool Door
Available from:Help your child discover the wonders of preschool with this lift-the-flap board book. Each flap reveals something kids find at school, like a teacher, cubbies, the bathroom, a playground, and more.
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Let's Be Friends / Seamos Amigos
Available from:In this charming bilingual picture book, two new kindergarten friends realize they have much in common, from their names to their interests. Follow their first year in school in this perfect story for young readers interested in learning to read in English and Spanish, as well as bilingual-speaking families!
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Preschool, Here I Come!
Available from:The latest book in the Here I Come! series celebrates all of the firsts that preschool holds — from saying goodbye to your parents to learning how to mix colors. Author D.J. Steinberg carefully crafts silly rhymes that your preschooler is sure to enjoy. And for older children, Steinberg has the perfect guide for them too with Kindergarten, Here I Come!
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This Is How We Get Ready
Available from:Getting ready for school can be a lot of work! You have to brush your teeth, tie your shoelaces, navigate the holes of a sweater, and more. Luckily, DK has a complete guide to teaching preschoolers all of the skills they need to get ready and make it to school on time. And once they’ve mastered the morning routine, DK’s This Is How We Make Friends is the perfect follow-up to prepare.
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Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Available from:This fun rhyming book follows Miss Bindergarten as she sets up her classroom for the 26 new students she will have in her kindergarten class this year. This book is an excellent introduction for young children on what to expect from kindergarten and a fun book for practicing the alphabet.
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Rosie Goes to Preschool
Available from:If your child isn’t interested in an adult telling them how school will be, this book is perfect. Rosie, a preschooler herself, offers a little tour of the preschool and the day’s routine in a way that is sweet and informative.
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I'm Going to Kindergarten!
Available from:When you’re prepping your child for their first day of school, you can’t go wrong with a Little Golden Book. Readers follow an energetic little girl through her first day of kindergarten as she explores the classroom and makes new friends.
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The Twelve Days of Preschool
Available from:Little ones can take comfort in knowing what to expect from preschool with this delightful picture book. In the familiar tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," kids count all the new toys they get to play with in school, as well as the importance of sharing them.
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Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School!
Available from:Tiny worry warts will love this endearing and soothing story about a tortoise afraid of showing up late on the first day of school. As all the other (faster) animals dash past her, her worries grow larger. But when she meets her teacher on the way to school, Little Tortoise learns she’s not the only slowpoke around.
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The Night Before Preschool
Available from:Reading books like The Night Before Preschool and The Night Before Kindergarten are a great way to get your children to open up about their feelings about starting school for the first time. Read the books together and ask them questions to get the conversation started and ease any first day of school jitters.
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You might also like:
- 4 Ways To Stress Less About Kindergarten Readiness
- Reassuring Rituals To Help Kids Struggling With School Drop-Offs
- Caring, Sharing, and Growing: Books To Show Kids How To Be a Friend
- Books About Kindness for Kids Ages 3 – 5
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2025.