One for the Books: Reading about kindergarten a great way to get ready for kindergarten

Chicago Tribune

8 hours ago

The first day of kindergarten is a big milestone for kids and their grown-ups alike. It's a time full of excitement, curiosity and plenty of butterflies in the stomach.
One of the best ways to help ease the transition and build confidence is by reading together. Stories about starting school, making friends and learning new things can help children understand what to expect and spark conversations about their own hopes and feelings. Check out this collection of books that are perfect for those new kindergarteners.
'Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten' by Joseph Slate
It's the first day of kindergarten and Miss Bindergarten is hard at work getting the classroom ready for her 26 new students. Meanwhile, Adam Krupp wakes up, Brenda Heath brushes her teeth and Christopher Beaker finds his sneaker. Miss Bindergarten puts the finishing touches on the room just in time, and the students arrive. Now the fun can begin!
'KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day' by Vera Ahiyya
It's the first day of kindergarten, and Leo isn't ready. Leo is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. Over the summer, his new teacher, Ms. Perry, sent a letter asking her students to think about how to show kindness in school. At the end of the first day of school, several classmates shared how they noticed Leo being kind to others.
'The Kissing Hand' by Audrey Penn
School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation.
'The Queen of Kindergarten' by Derrick Barnes
MJ is more than ready for her first day of kindergarten! With her hair freshly braided and her mom's special tiara on her head, she knows she's going to rock kindergarten. But the tiara isn't just for show — it also reminds her of all the good things she brings to the classroom, stuff like her kindness, friendliness and impressive soccer skills too!
'The Night Before Kindergarten' by Natasha Wing
It's the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures and the hardest part of all — saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won't be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten is!
'First Day Jitters' by Julie Danneberg
Sarah Jane Hartwell has that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach — she's nervous and doesn't want to start a new school year. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. With a little convincing, Sarah Jane reluctantly heads to class. Shy at first, she's quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton and is reminded that everyone at school gets the jitters sometimes.
'Kindergarten, Here I Come!' by D. J. Steinberg
Celebrate all the familiar moments of kindergarten with this adorable picture book, perfect for back-to-school! Whether it's the first-day-of-school jitters, recess recklessness, field trip excitement or the hundredth-day-of-school party, this book introduces every aspect of the kindergarten experience through light and funny poems.
'Kindergarten Rocks' by Katie Davis
Dexter Dugan is starting kindergarten, and his stuffed dog Rufus is terrified for him. Thankfully, third-grader and older sister extraordinaire Jessie is there to patiently answer all of Dexter's — er, Rufus' — questions. Dex's first day is filled with exciting new things like a delightful teacher and a lunchroom that looks like a restaurant! But when Dex loses Rufus during recess, will Jessie come to the rescue before the final bell rings?
'Narwhal vs. Kindergarten' by Vanessa Roeder
Hugo has a problem. A big, tall problem. One that refuses to go away, no matter how many hats (or doughnuts) he puts on his head to try and hide it. His horn is a barrier to the bus and a calamity in the classroom, and nothing Hugo tries seems to make it better. But with the help of his friends and a rousing, inclusive baseball game, Hugo learns that everyone needs something a little different to succeed and that working together is no trouble at all.