My Favorite Kindergarten Books To Read Ahead Of The First Day

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2 days ago

Starting kindergarten is one of the biggest milestones in a child's life. It is also one of the most emotional transitions for parents as they send their little ones off to school. Every child transitions differently, but finding resources to help prepare them for the first few days can make things go smoother. I know that with my children, we shared many conversations about school before their first day, so that they had an idea of what to expect.
This time of year at the library, we always gather and display our favorite 'starting kindergarten' and 'first day of school' books. Reading with your child about what they may expect, as they venture off to school, can be an excellent way to prepare them. From board books to early readers to picture books, I have selected my favorite kindergarten books to read with the children in your life.
King of Kindergarten By Derrick Banes
This New York Times bestseller is all about sending your child off to school with confidence. It begins with the sun beaming through the window as the light creates a crown on the young boy's head. The 'King of Kindergarten' follows the confident boy as he gets ready for school, takes the school bus, and has a great day with his new classmates. The book talks about how fun it will be to come back home and tell his parents all about the adventures he had at school and the new friends that he made.
We want our kids to be armed with confidence in all of life's big moments. I'm fond of this book because it does just that, inspiring children to wear their crown and hold their head up high. The story talks about sharing and how that can help us make new friends. Also, it reminds children how exciting it will be when they come back home to tell their parents all about the friends they made and what they did at school.
Queen of Kindergarten By Derrick Banes
The follow-up story to King of Kindergarten is, of course, the 'Queen of Kindergarten. MJ is ready for her first day of kindergarten. Her hair is braided, and she is wearing a tiara on her head; she is going to be the Queen of Kindergarten. Her tiara is there to remind her of all the good things she brings to the classroom: kindness, friendship, and confidence. Like the 'King of Kindergarten', this book inspires back-to-school excitement and lends to building confidence in the littlest of students.
Obviously, I couldn't choose the King without also selecting the Queen. Boys and girls can connect with these characters and, in reading them, be reminded of how special they are as they head off to school. Both books are illustrated beautifully by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.
All Welcome Here By James Preller
Inclusiveness and diversity are such important elements for children's books. 'All Welcome Here' encompasses those attributes with illustrations that all children will see themselves in. Boys and girls of every race, color, ethnicity, and ability explore their first day of school. The children's day, with all of its excitement, difficulties, and anxieties, is celebrated in the author's lyrical haiku poems.
My favorite part of this story is the children's trip to the library (as shown in the image above). The library is described as the heartbeat of the school. Working at the library myself, I like to believe this too. If you are finding it challenging to find a kindergarten book to read that represents your child, I think you will be quite pleased with this selection. Because just like the library ( one of the last inclusive public spaces), at school, 'we are all welcome'.
The Best Seat In Kindergarten By Katharine Kenah
The 'Best Seat in Kindergarten' is a story about Sam as he starts kindergarten. Like most children, Sam is not sure what to expect on his first day of kindergarten. When he arrives, his teacher, Ms. Tate, introduces herself, shows the children their new classroom, and takes them for a nature walk. After their walk, she explains, the children will get to share with the class what they found on their outdoor adventure. Sam is excited as he makes new friends by helping them find items for the classroom show-and-tell.
This kindergarten book to read with your kids reminds them that everyone in class will be new, too! Children will relate to Sam and his fears about going to school, and they will be reassured when they hear about Sam's successful first day. The 'Best Seat in Kindergarten' is an early reader book, meaning it's designed to introduce a new reader to reading together or on their own. Its sentences are repetitive and straightforward. This book is on my list for both its ability to calm little fears and for developing early literacy.
A Day At School With The Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle
How can we not mention the beloved Hungry Caterpillar when talking about the best kindergarten books to read for children starting school. Eric Carle is a renowned children's book author and illustrator. He has published over 70 children's books in his lifetime, and they are constantly checked out at my library. For our kindergarteners, I am suggesting the board book 'A Day at School with the Hungry Caterpillar'. It is a tabbed board book, which I always find is inviting for little fingers to flip the pages. Each colorful tab illustrates or relates to a portion of the school day.
'A Day at School with the Hungry Caterpillar' introduces children to their new routine away from home. Wake up in the morning, travel to school, greet the children, dance in music class, and have a snack are some examples of this sweet and simple book. The hungry caterpillar is a familiar character for many little ones, and the beautiful illustrations of Carle's always draw us in. I like this selection for our youngest school goers (perhaps even those heading off to daycare) as it focuses on a child's new routine in simple sentences.
Kindergarten: Where Kindness Matters By Vera Ahiyya
We have a few copies of this picture book by kindergarten teacher, Vera Ahiyya, in our local library. Ahiyya is also an Instagram influencer, which is very cool! On social media, she is known as The Tutu Teacher. 'Kindergarten: Where Kindness Matters' is a story about a little boy named Leo who isn't feeling excited about starting school. In the summer, he receives a letter from his soon-to-be new teacher, which asks him to consider how kindness can be shared in the classroom. On the first day of school, all the kids will share what they think it means to be kind.
This story is such a lovely book to share with your child or your classroom as they start their new chapter in kindergarten. As a kids' yoga teacher, I often talk about kindness and how we can spread it in my classes and beyond. As a teacher herself, Ahiyya explores the idea of creating a kindness pledge amongst her classmates, and they share simple ways they can act in kindness towards one another. In my opinion, if kindness is all a kindergartner learns that first year (and maybe how to zip up their coat), the world would be a better place.
The Night Before Kindergarten By Natasha Wing
What actually happens on the Night Before Kindergarten? Using the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas', Wing lyrically depicts the preparation for kindergarten, from packing lunches to picking an outfit and taking first-day photos. Parents and kids follow the children in the book as they prepare for kindergarten. Wing has an entire 'on the night before' series written to help guide and encourage children on the eve of special moments. In my opinion, this would make a sweet set for a new parent.
I enjoyed this book as a unique and fun way of explaining what will happen at kindergarten to a child. Using the rhyming prose of a story we all know creates a comfort level with little readers from the first page. The illustrations paint the picture of what families will do the night before, the morning of, and the actual first day of school. The story is a great way to help reduce the unknown for kiddos, as it's the unknown that elicits the fear of going to school. Another example of a kindergarten book to read that children will relate to, which may help calm the first-day jitters.
Clifford Goes To School By Norman Bridwell
A classic storybook character is the beloved big red dog, Clifford. Even Clifford has a kindergarten book for children to read before their first day. When Emily Elizabeth starts kindergarten, her teacher, Miss Tate, says she is allowed to bring a comfort item to school in the event she misses home. We can all guess that Emily chooses to bring Clifford to class with her. Clifford brings lots of excitement to Emily's classmates, as any giant, big red dog would!
So, of course, every librarian, like myself, is going to have a love for Clifford! Classic storybooks are classic because they are tried, tested, and true. They can connect with children and entertain them. What I like about this book for kindergartners is that it begins with Emily Elizabeth's parents reading a book about the first day of school to her. Before the silliness of the big red dog strikes, Emily, just like her readers, is learning what school will be like. Emily even learns about the school nurse if she is feeling unwell…do schools still have those?
Diggers Love To Go School By Brianna Caplan Sayres
Another bright and colorful board book for little fingers to explore. If your child loves trucks and tractors, dump trucks and diggers, this picture book would be great to read before the first day of kindergarten. Kids will learn with 'Digger' what the other vehicles do at school. This book is a rhyming book which kids always love, and you can't beat the adorable illustrations by Christian Slade.
Sometimes the key to connecting with a child is to speak through something they love. If your child loves cats, for instance, find a book about cats that sends the message you want to deliver. Most kids go through a phase of loving construction vehicles, so show them 'Digger' learning his ABCs, playing at recess, building blocks, and counting. Or find whichever themed book speaks to your child. Preparing for school doesn't have to be serious; it can also be fun.
Click, Clack, Quack To School By Doreen Cronin
If you've read any books in the series 'Click, Clack, Quack', you know the kids love them for their humor. The books by Doreen Cronin are New York Times Bestsellers and very popular at my library. In this story, the barnyard friends are heading off to school. Before they arrive, however, they must go over the rules and learn proper school behavior. 'No stomping, no clomping…no hooting, no hollering,' it says in Farmer Brown's rulebook. But when they arrive and the recess bell rings, they find children 'wiggling and giggling…chirping and chattering'. So the animals join in the fun!
'Click, Clack, Quack to School' is another example of making school preparation fun! Yes, we can talk about the school rules and using our manners in the classroom, but we can also remind children that school is for friends, laughter, and play! This would make a super fun kindergarten book to read with your little one.
Biscuit Goes To School By Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Another easy reader book to engage children to read along with you. As mentioned, easy readers are repetitive and use basic vocabulary to make for a successful introduction to reading. Biscuit has a series of 'I Can Read' books, allowing children to discover all of the puppy's adventures. This book shows Biscuit's little girl confidently going off on the school bus; what happens when he decides to go to school too?
I think it's essential to give children the opportunity to read about school as well. Finding success in an early reader before they head off to kindergarten can build a child's confidence. Biscuit's adventure at school illustrates some of the activities children will participate in at their new school. Taking the school bus, going to the gym, going to the library, and having a snack. Children will enjoy this sweet kindergarten book to read on their own, with a parent, or with a caregiver.
All of my kids' first day of kindergarten has come and gone. Some went extremely smoothly; my first two daughters were more than ready to go. They had gone to daycare previously and were comfortable with the scheduled day. My third and fourth children were home with me before they started kindergarten, plus COVID had just hit, so those first days were much more tenuous. I think my son's entire junior kindergarten year was spent online, or homeschooling, so senior kindergarten was extremely challenging. BUT, we all did it and we all survived!
As a parent and librarian, I enjoy using books to help with big life transitions. Reading alongside your child before their first day of school can help calm both your fears and theirs; plus, it opens up the space for dialogue. Your child may feel more inclined to ask questions or express concerns after reading with one of these stories. There are so many kindergarten books to read out there, and I hope you have time to discover one of my favorites. If you find your child is very anxious about the approaching new year, check out my favorite mindfulness resources for calming before school. Good luck to all of the parents and kids starting kindergarten this Fall!
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