Pre-K

Growing Reader

20 Books To Help Kids Get Ready for the New School Year

by Devon A. Corneal

Photo credit: Steve Debenport, E+ Collection/Getty Images

Do you have a little one making the transition from preschool to kindergarten? Or a child worried about moving from naptime and cookies to the first grade? Or maybe your child is changing schools and isn’t sure she’ll be able to make new friends? Whatever the transition your child is facing, we hope a few of these books might help ease their fears and remind them of all the fun they’ll have in their new classroom. After all, if a stuffed bear, a squash, a frog, and a llama can do it, so can they!

Our Classroom Rules!

Our Classroom Rules!

by Kallie George, illustrated by Jay Fleck

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One of the life skills kids learn at school is how to exist in a classroom setting with a dozen or more other children. This adorable book from the creators of Our Playground Rules! is perfect for helping young readers understand what makes a classroom successful and happy.

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Giant-Sized Butterflies On My First Day of School

Giant-Sized Butterflies On My First Day of School

by Justin Roberts, illustrated by Paola Escobar

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Tackle those first-day jitters with this gorgeous picture book about butterflies — but not the ones you’re thinking about. These butterflies appear in your belly when you feel nervous, like the little girl in this story. With her mom’s encouragement, the girl realizes butterflies mean something exciting is happening!

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Breathe Like a Bear: First Day of School Worries

Breathe Like a Bear: First Day of School Worries

by Kira Willey, illustrated by Anni Betts

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This adorable picture book shows kids how to handle their first-day-of-school nerves through relaxing breathing practices. Kids can use these breathing techniques whenever they feel stressed or anxious. Cute animal characters and the relatable story make this the perfect read-aloud before returning to the classroom.

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The Crayons Go Back to School

The Crayons Go Back to School

by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

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Your favorite art supplies head back to school in this bestselling picture book! The Crayons take readers through the first day, from picking out their outfits and reuniting with old friends to meeting the teacher and learning new things. Familiar characters and a humorous story make this book a must-read!

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How to Get Your Octopus to School

How to Get Your Octopus to School

by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

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It’s time for an octopus to go to school, but the shy sea creature is nowhere to be found. His human friend searches high and low before she finds him, hugs him, and calms his nerves by helping him prepare for the big day. Kids will love searching for the octopus in the illustrations and soaking up octopus facts in the backmatter.

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A New School Year

A New School Year

by Sally Derby, illustrated by Mika Song

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In A New School Year, we meet six children, ranging from a kindergartener to fifth grade, who share their hopes (and fears) about the first day of school. While their backgrounds and perspectives are diverse, the emotions they express are universal. This one is such a special book that your child will return to year after year.

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Sounds Like School Spirit

Sounds Like School Spirit

by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

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Sounds Like School Spirit is a fun, interactive book that helps build excitement around school and perfectly illustrates the communities that kids create. Told through a series of chants, your little one won’t be able to resist cheering along with this book!

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All Are Welcome

All Are Welcome

by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

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The start of a new school year can be exciting, but for many it can also be a little nerve-wracking. But what if there was a place where every child had a space and where they were loved and appreciated? This is the world that Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman have brought to life in this beautiful book about a school where diversity and community are not just protected but celebrated! A great introduction to inclusion and diversity that is perfect for young readers.

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We're Going to School

We're Going to School

by Tammi Salzano, illustrated by Morena Forza

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This uplifting, diverse picture book celebrates the first day of school and the many activities that are shared on this special day. From getting ready for the day to meeting their teachers to lunch, recess, storytime, and art class, there is so much fun to be had at school. A page entitled "My First Day of School Memories" adds a personal touch with space for kids to record their experiences.

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The Night Before First Grade

The Night Before First Grade

by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Deborah Zemke

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Penny is excited to start the first grade! She has everything planned and can’t wait to start the year with her best friend at her side. But things don’t always go according to plan. This fun read-aloud book in The Night Before series, is great story about making new friends and the perfect book for any child dealing with first day jitters.

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My School Stinks!

My School Stinks!

by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Julia Patton

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In this hilarious story, a boy accidentally winds up at a school for wild animals! The book, told through the boy’s diary entries, starts with him very apprehensive about his new classmates, but he soon learns that friends can come in any shape, size, or species! A fun back-to-school celebration perfect for all little ones, including those who might be apprehensive about starting school again.

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Corduroy Goes to School

Corduroy Goes to School

by Don Freeman and B.G. Hennessy, illustrated by Lisa McCue

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Everyone’s favorite stuffed bear is going to school! Little fingers can lift colorful flaps to see what’s hidden around the classroom and get acquainted with the magic of learning in this comforting book for children headed to school for the first time.

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I Am Too Absolutely Small for School

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School

by Lauren Child

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Charlie knows that his little sister Lola does not want to go to school. But when Charlie reassures her that she can bring her imaginary friend with her, Lola decides she might be willing to try it after all.

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Llama Llama Misses Mama

Llama Llama Misses Mama

by Anna Dewdney

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Anyone who has ever had a meltdown at school will appreciate how Llama Llama feels when he starts missing his mama on the first day of school. Thankfully, good friends, a kind teacher, and the knowledge that his mama always comes back will help him get through the day.

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The Name Jar

The Name Jar

by Yangsook Choi

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Unhei and her family just moved from Korea, and she is nervous that when she starts school none of the kids will be able to pronounce her name. So instead of introducing herself, she tells her classmates that she is looking for a new name and they help her by putting names in a jar that she can pick from. But in the end Unhei and her friends decide that her Korean name is beautiful as is!

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Milk Goes to School

Milk Goes to School

by Terry Border

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Get ready for puns galore! As one determined and confident milk carton goes to school, she learns important lessons in her classroom, including how to make lots of new friends.

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How to Get Your Teacher Ready

How to Get Your Teacher Ready

by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

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Everyone focuses on getting kids ready for school, but what about teachers? How do they get ready for the year ahead? In this lighthearted and funny “How To” book, the kids are the ones in charge, and they have a lot to say about what their teachers should be doing. Young readers will learn a lot about what to expect from the new school year through the kids’ instructions.

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Froggy Goes to School

Froggy Goes to School

by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

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This was a favorite in our house before our son started kindergarten. Froggy’s chipper attitude and his mother’s wisdom come together in this sensitive story about the anxieties that can surround the first day of school.

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The Day You Begin

The Day You Begin

by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

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This beautiful picture book helps to celebrate our differences. There is a point in everyone’s life when they feel like the outsider, and for many children this happens in school. What this book teaches is that it is our differences that make us truly special, and by reaching out to others we can create lasting bonds. With a poignant message and gorgeous illustrations, The Day You Begin deftly introduces little readers to big concepts like diversity, community, and self-esteem.

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Barnaby Never Forgets

Barnaby Never Forgets

by Pierre Collet-Derby

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Barnaby is always ready for school. He knows where his glasses, backpack, and books are. Well, most of the time. But one day, Barnaby forgets something really, really, really important. Read this one just for fun and remember to always look at your calendar BEFORE you go to school.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2023.