Pre-K
10 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.
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Monkey Not Ready for Kindergarten
Marc Brown knows just how to write a book that children love and this one is no exception. Monkey is fearful about all the things that could go wrong at school, but as his family helps him address his concerns one at a time, he starts to become excited about the new adventure ahead.
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Rosie Goes to Preschool
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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Dad's First Day
All summer, Dad and Oliver have spent their days together, playing and having fun. But now it’s time for school to start and Dad is pretty nervous. Turns out, the first day isn’t just scary for kids!
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The Twelve Days of Preschool
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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I Am Too Absolutely Small for School
Lola isn’t at all convinced she needs to go to school. She can already count to ten and who needs to learn to write when you can make a phone call instead? As usual, big brother Charlie helps her decide that school might be worthwhile after all (and, yes, her invisible friend can come along, too).
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The Name Jar
As if school wasn’t scary enough, Unhei has just moved to the U.S. from Korea and is worried no one will be able to pronounce her name. So on the first day, she explains to her classmates that she’ll be choosing a new name that week. But can she find one that fits her better than her own name?
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Wemberly Worried
Poor Wemberly. She’s worried about EVERYTHING. And nothing is more worrisome than the first day of school — she’s just beside herself with nerves. If you have a child who is stressed about beginning school, this sweet book is perfect for bringing up those fears without dismissing them.
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David Goes to School
If you need a book about all the things not to do at school, this is your book. It’s a simple read with David getting into trouble at every turn, so it’s a fun way to make your child laugh and also open up a discussion of appropriate school behavior.
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Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!
This fun and sweet book features a little boy who can’t WAIT to go to kindergarten. His mom, on the other hand, is apprehensive about all the changes. In a charming reversal of roles, the little boy reassures his mother that she’ll love having him go to kindergarten and he’ll be right home when school is over.
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My Teacher Is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.)
Bobby is convinced his teacher is a monster. And she’s out to get him. But when he runs into her at the park on a weekend, he slowly starts to see her as less monstrous and possibly more human.
