Best book for first day of kindergarten

27 Books for the First Day of Kindergarten

Even the bravest children at times get nervous when big changes are ahead. With the first day of kindergarten looming over them, it's quite normal for some jitters and anxiety to rear their heads. These adorable "first-day" books are the perfect gift for a kindergartener-to-be to help them get excited for this fantastic new phase of life.

The melodic rhyme of any "The Night Before" story is a classic bedtime treat. This story follows kids as they get their bags ready and try to get some shut-eye as they are filled with excitement for the next day, the first day of kindergarten!

Learn more: Amazon

The Berensteins are back with another fun-filled adventure. This time, all the kids are heading off to school, and Sister Bear is about to go to Kindergarten. She is very nervous but Brother Bear is there with her, every step of the way.

Learn more: Amazon

This is an adorable book that will help kids see what the routine in kindergarten will look like. From the morning routine to lunchtime, making friends, and getting picked up by mom and dad after a fun-filled day.

Learn more: Amazon

Share this book with kids who have school jitters and show them it's not such a scary place after all. The book is adapted from the classic "12 Days of Chritmas" and follows a fun layout.

Learn more: Amazon

This heartwarming book is written from a teacher's perspective and is the perfect way to show kids how much love their teacher has to give. There is no way they will be nervous about meeting their new teacher after hearing this sweet book before bedtime.

Learn more: Amazon

Love and kindness are at the order of the day at MJ's kindergarten. Armed with new braids and her mom's sparkly tiara, MJ is ready to have fun at kindergarten and be kind to her new friends.

Learn more: Amazon

Starting a new adventure in kindergarten can be very scary, but through this beautiful book, kids will see how brave they can be and how their uniqueness will be celebrated in their new environment.

Learn more: Amazon

The nostalgia-filled Little Critter adventures are perfect for parents and kids to enjoy together. Kids get to lift the flaps to see what Little Critter has prepared for school in a fun, interactive story.

Learn more: Amazon

9. Benny the Brave in The First Day Jitters by Julie Anne and Darren Penn

Whether you are on planet earth or a far far away planet, the first day of school seems very scary. But Team Supercrew is here to save the day! Benny the Brave will show Sarah how t be brave and face any challenge head-on.

Learn more: Amazon

This clever picture book takes kids on a journey through all the big milestones of kindergarten. It is perfect for the first day but there are also rhymes for the first field trip, the 100th day of school, graduation, and more.

Learn more: Amazon

David J. Steinberg brings another collection of poems that show kids how to be kind in their new environment and teaches them about sharing, being themselves, and helping friends.

Learn more: Amazon

12. Clifford Goes to Kindergarten by Norman Bridwell

Emily's Teacher says they can bring something to school to help them feel comfortable on their first day. Little did she know that Emily is bringing something, or rather someone, unexpected! The fun adventures of Clifford remains a favorite book for young and old.

Learn more: Amazon

The Little Golden Book collection offers this darling book about all the best parts of kindergarten. Kids will see what a day in the class will look like, what classroom routines they can expect, and learn about all the fun things that await them!

Learn more: Amazon

Leo's class makes a kindness pledge and everyone adds their ideas on how to show kindness. Leo is sad because he doesn't think he knows what that means but at the end of the day we see that Leo already shows a lot of kindness to his classmates.

Learn more: Amazon

When it comes to the first day of school books, few are as heartwarming and inclusive as "Our Class Is a Family". This sweet story shows how the classroom will be a home away from home and a safe place for kids to be themselves.

Learn more: Amazon

First-day anxiety is a very real problem for young ones but this funny picture book is the perfect cure. It is a fun story about nerves that will have kids howling from beginning to end.

Learn more: Amazon

This is the perfect book for children with separation anxiety as it shows them they are not alone but that school is nothing to be scared of. The book can grow with kids and serve as a sweet story to start off every new school year from kindergarten and beyond.

Learn more: Amazon

18. Countdown To Kindergarten by Alison McGhee

Add this to your book list to help nervous kindergarteners get over their anxiety in a heartbeat. The 10-day countdown to the first school day has begun and our hero is finding out all about what kindergarten holds in store.

Learn more: Amazon

Adventure Annie is a spirited kindergartener that is looking for adventure around every corner. It is a cute book about mischief, kindness, and finding joy.

Learn more: Amazon

This lovely story is part kindergarten story and part alphabet book. With classic illustrations and a fun rhyming flow, it will have the kids' classroom ready in no time.

Learn more: Amazon

Bright and colorful illustrations bring this lovely story to life. Dexter Dugan is scared of what kindergarten will bring but his loving 3rd-grade sister talks him through it all, helping him overcome his biggest fears.

Learn more: Amazon

Henry is very excited about kindergarten but once he arrives, he experiences some early-morning jitters, doubting his abilities. Luckily, he quickly sees that he is more than capable to face school head-on and he is ready to have tons of fun.

Learn more: Amazon

Max the duckling has to leave his friends and teachers behind on the last day of preschool and get ready for kindergarten. Celebrate this big new milestone with Max and see how he conquers all his nerves and worries like a brave little duckling.

Learn more: Amazon

Kids might think they don't have superpowers, but imagination is the most powerful of them all! This creative book encourages kindergarteners to think outside the box and be creative when facing their biggest fears.

Learn more: Amazon

The new world of kindergarten might seem like something from outer space, but brave young adventurers are ready for liftoff, taking on every challenge that comes their way!

Learn more: Amazon

On the first day of kindergarten, Sam's class goes on a scavenger hunt to find things for show-and-tell. Sam helps his new friends to find some cool items and they all share together with great excitement.

Learn more: Amazon

This charming book series can be with your child every step of their young lives. The kindergarten edition shows little ones what they can expect from the year ahead of them and how much fun kindergarten will be

Learn more: Amazon

The Best Books for Starting Kindergarten!

Books by Theme » Back to School » The Best Books for Starting Kindergarten!

By Lauren Bercuson ·  Published: Jul 9, 2021 ·  Modified: Sep 5, 2022 ·  This post may contain affiliate links

Books for starting kindergarten help get kids (and their parents!) ready for the big day. These are some of our very favorites, so check them out!

Books for Starting Kindergarten Help Calm First-Day Jitters!

Pick out a new backpack, sharpen those pencils, and get ready friends, because a big day is here…

Your little one is starting kindergarten!

There’s no doubt about it. The first day of school can be incredibly daunting for a child, especially a child starting kindergarten. After all, their new school is BIG, the older kids are even BIGGER, and little ones will be away from their grownups for so many hours.

Your child will likely be nervous about starting kindergarten (and we’re sure you are as well!) But you know what will help calm their first-day jitters?

Reading, of course!

Get them ready with books for starting kindergarten

Books for starting kindergarten will help your kiddos get ready for the very big day. Reading about what they can expect – from big classrooms to new desks, to learning the alphabet, to counting and sharing and making new friends – will help calm nerves and make the first day of school feel more accessible.

Change, after all, is never easy, and this is a big one. But with books about starting kindergarten, you can tackle their jitters head-on. Discussing their fears before you drop them off that first day is vital.

RELATED: Did you know we have more than one hundred children’s book lists on Happily Ever Elephants? Check out this link!

These Books for Starting Kindergarten will help you discuss important topics

The stories on this list will help you talk to your children about their most pressing questions.

What will kindergarten be like?

What if I’m scared?

How will I make new friends?

What if I miss my grownups?

Will I be ok?

These are big emotions for children. But by using great stories, we can help our kids easily work through their complex feelings.

So what are you waiting for? Get them ready for their first day of school with these fantastic books!

RELATED: Are your kids in kindergarten getting ready to read? Check out our awesome list of kindergarten books and early reader books!

Happily Ever Elephants participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.

Our Favorite Picture Books for Starting Kindergarten

The King of Kindergarten

By Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Just when you think back to school books are all the same, a new one comes out and blows the others out of the water with its unique spin and beautiful voice. This story of a young boy ready to make his mark on kindergarten is fresh, unique, and oh-so-fun! But perhaps the most enjoyable parts of this story are the fabulous references to the boy being the “king” of kindergarten, a name his mom gives him upon waking up before that first day of school. The text is sprinkled with references to the boy’s kingdom, from the big yellow carriage that will deliver him to the grand fortress, to the royal seat where he meets his kingdom. The result? A lighthearted, humorous story that feels both reassuring and empowering, one that will stick with children as they get ready to begin their own first days of school. Check out our full review of The King of Kindergarten right here!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The Queen of Kindergarten

By Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

We certainly can’t leave out The Queen of Kindergarten, the companion to the wildly popular The King of Kindergarten, above! In this adorable new story, MJ is ready for her first day of kindergarten, and she is thrilled to wear her mom’s special tiara on her head. After all, if she is going to kindergarten, she’s going to rock it. That special tiara reminds her of all the amazing attributes she brings to the classroom – traits like kindness, confidence, and friendliness. And when she becomes the queen of kindergarten, she will brighten any room with kindness, empathy, and a willingness to help others. Another gem by this dynamic duo, and a perfect story to ready kids for the first day of kindergarten!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Kindergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day

By Vera Ahiyya and illustrated by Joey Chou

What an absolutely darling story about a kindergarten class creating their Kindness Pledge on the first day of school! Leo isn’t quite ready for the first day of kindergarten, and he certainly doesn’t know how to express to his new teacher or classmates how to express kindness. He feels especially bad when he realizes the other students in his class have many ideas. Turns out, Leo may not have the right words to talk about kindness, but he certainly knows how to show it as evidenced by his genuine actions throughout the school day. This is a reassuring first day of school book and will work wonders to have children thinking about all the ways they kind be kind and helpful in the classroom.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The Kissing Hand

By Audrey Penn

Going to school for the first time (and leaving a parent behind!) can be tough with a capital T, but this book helps alleviate worries! Here, one smart mama gives her little raccoon the perfect trick to combat the separation blues before he heads to his new classroom. After reading this story, my boys always remember that wherever they go, I’m always with them, even if not physically present. I can’t even recall how many times I have reminded them to make use of their kissing hands – it has become so ingrained in our routines. See our full review The Kissing Hand Book here!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Wemberly Worried

By Kevin Henkes

From spilling her juice to snakes in the radiator, poor Wemberly worries about everything. But there’s one thing Wemberly worries about most: the first day of school! When Wemberly begins her new year, she meets a fellow worrier in her class and realizes that maybe she has nothing to worry about after all. We just adore Kevin Henkes work and the way he writes so authentically from a child’s perspective!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous: A First-Day-of-School Dilemma

By Keith Calabrese and Juana Medina

The first day of kindergarten is a big day! And in this adorable book, one little girl approaches her first day of school in a novel manner. After all, it’s not Lena who is nervous about the big day, but her shoes! Will Lena be able to help her shoes overcome their jitters about starting school? Who knew shoes could be so shy? This book is just adorable!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

All Are Welcome

By Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

This is one of our favorite books about the first day of school because of the way it so beautifully celebrates students from all corners of the world as they enter a diverse and inclusive school. This lovely book conveys the vital message that all children are welcome within their classrooms and school communities. It offers the perfect message as we enter a new school year and shows all children beginning kindergarten that they have a safe place in their new space.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

By Joseph Slate and illustrated by Ashley Wolff

This is a darling book that shows how Miss Bindergarten is getting ready for her new class of kindergarteners — twenty-six students to be exact, one for each letter of the alphabet! This is such a fun book to help kids get ready for the first day of school while also working on their letter recognition as well.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

The Night Before Kindergarten

By Natasha Wing and illustrated by Julie Durrell

This is a darling take on the classic poem “The Night Before Christmas,” with kids getting prepared, and feeling a bit scared, about starting kindergarten. As the characters pack their bags, pose for photos, and say goodbye to mom and dad, they definitely feel those first-day jitters. But when they get to their new classroom, they’ll discover that kindergarten is so much fun!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Planet Kindergarten

By Sue Ganz-Schmitt and illustrated by Shane Prigmore

Prepare your young ones to get ready to explore a part of the galaxy they have never explored before. Planet Kindergarten, that is! This is a delightful way to ease kids into their new experience, allowing them to pretend they are explorers of a bold new frontier. It will help nervous little ones recognize that their kindergarten journey will surely be out of this world!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Your Name is a Song

By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Luisa Uribe

This is such an important book about beginning school, especially for children who get nervous about their unique names and identities. We love this stunning story for the way it helps children see the inherent beauty in each and every name, no matter how difficult it may be for teachers or classmates to pronounce. Beautifully written and illustrated, this affirming book ensures no child feels shunned or mocked as a result of his or her name, and instead celebrates the brilliance and importance of names, no matter how common or unique they may be.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Mae’s First Day of School

By Kate Berube

When Mae’s first day of school arrives, she is scared. The other kids may not like her. She may be the only one who can’t write. In fact, Mae becomes so scared that she decides she simply will not go, and when she gets to school she decides to hide — up in a tree! In hiding, she discovers she may not be the only one nervous about starting kindergarten – and kids will love the surprising twist this story offers to readers. We love the way this tender story respects the fears many children battle as they begin a new school year and gently reminds kids that they aren’t alone with their nerves. Other students, and even teachers, get anxious too. We just adore Kate Berube’s style, and her book, Hannah and Sugar, is a forever favorite!

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Danbi Leads The School Parade

By Anna Kim

Though Danbi is excited to attend her new school in America, she’s also nervous and feels like she can’t do anything right in her new class. When she walks into her classroom for the very first time, everyone stares, and poor Danbi feels she does all the wrong things! But then Danbi musters up a whole lot of courage and some inventiveness, too. Before she knows it, Danbi leads her class in a parade, settles her nerves, and even has some fun. We love this story for the way it shows that using your imagination can open your world to new classmates.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

Kindergarten Here I Come

By D.J. Steinberg and illustrated by Mark Chambers

This fun story celebrates all of the milestones that a child has throughout the year in kindergarten. From first-day jitters to 100th-day celebrations, this book contains short poems that highlight the best activities that will take place during kindergarten and will show nervous kids what they will do the first year in school.

BUY THIS BOOK FROM:

RELATED: We’ve got a fabulous list of kindergarten read-alouds for you on Happily Ever Elephants, so be sure to check them out!

5+

Never Miss a Happily Ever Elephants Newsletter!

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Reader Interactions

7 books about kindergarten: for children and even for parents

Will you take your child to kindergarten for the first time? There is still more than a month until September - a lot of time to prepare (for both him and you). And these books will help - understandable, funny and extremely useful.

"Little Theo Goes to Kindergarten" by Suzanne Gölich

A cute picture book that will do a great job preparing your child for the first trip to kindergarten. Koala Theo also goes there for the first time and is very worried, so much so that even his favorite teddy bear gets sick - but everything will be fine. And funny stories from the life of kindergarteners will inspire anyone to quickly go in search of new friends.

“No way!”, Beatrice Alemagna

The bat Pascalina doesn’t want to go to kindergarten for anything – and she tells everyone so. And it turns out that this one has her "no way!" magical effect: parents get smaller and smaller and... go to the garden with their naughty daughter. What will come of this? It's better for you to find out for yourself. But there is a small spoiler: by the end of the first day, Pascalina will realize that without parents, kindergarten would be much more interesting.

How Papa Became Little, Lars Mäle

Similar plot: Tina has to go to kindergarten with her dad, and not with an adult and serious, but with a small and mischievous one. That's more entertainment! Well, what to do: dad thought so, the wish came true, and Tina has to put up with it. An instructive story for children and parents - situations familiar to everyone, but not through the eyes of an adult, but through the eyes of a child. Believe me, you will have something to discuss with the future kindergartener.

Kindergarten on Wheels. Middle group, Zulya Stadnik

The second book in the Kindergarten on Wheels series. In fact, the author wrote stories for her daughter Solka - she has already grown up, but she asks for continuation. The excavator Klusha and the engine Shpunchik have grown up and now go to the middle group. They still listen to instructive tales that the strict but caring nanny Kerosin Benzinovich reads to them, draw fruits, play a lot and, of course, cannot resist pranks. Not exactly an instruction for survival in kindergarten, but an introduction to the topic - for sure.

“The Kindergarten of My Dreams”,

A collection of poems by the famous children's poetess Kseniya Valakhanovych, dedicated to kindergarten everyday life. The recipe for poems is simple: funny stories from the lives of kids, a play on words, a good portion of humor, mastery of form and, of course, love for children in every line.

“Anna will go to kindergarten tomorrow”, Maya Bessonova

Anya goes to kindergarten and learns to live by new rules, make friends, be independent and… do without her parents. The book was written by a mother of many children and an experienced teacher Maya Bessonova, and, in fact, this is a guide to adapting to kindergarten, not only in the form of instructive advice, but in the form of touching children's stories about the first days in the garden. We read and prepare together for the first, most difficult week.

"Lazy Mom's Babies in Kindergarten", Anna Bykova

As Anna says, she wrote this book because she herself at one time really lacked such literature. How is the adaptation of the child in kindergarten? Why is he crying? What can you do to stop crying? How to relieve your anxiety and how does it affect the condition of the child? Answers to all these questions — and a million more like them — under one cover.

Kindergarten books | mom bore

I collected this selection back in 2020 for little Artem. Artyom went to kindergarten in this and many of the books in the collection were read and became favorites. If your kid has already gone to kindergarten, and there are no books on this topic in your library, I highly recommend it. All people love literature related to their lives, kids are no exception.

"Vovka goes to kindergarten" my-shop, labirint. ❤❤❤ A story about the adaptation of a child in kindergarten. I'm already rather fed up with primitive plots about typical situations, this book made me happy! High quality text, hard 5+. Plot: initially, Vovka did not want to go to kindergarten, but day after day he plunged into the thick of kindergarten life (faced problems, found solutions, caught positive moments), and in the end it turned out to be very exciting. For a two-year-old, the plot is complicated. In my opinion, the book will be especially good for children 3. 5-4 years old . Difficult moments for two-year-olds: humor with a change in the words "kindergarten" - "grandfather's garden", "Olga Kapitonovna" - "Olga Pitonovna" show hidden text

“Rules of conduct. Let's go to kindergarten» my-shop, labirint  ❤❤❤ 1.5-2+ An aesthetic picture book about the daily routine in kindergarten. A story about a boy's first visit to kindergarten. The book is European, so the illustrations have the specifics of foreign kindergartens. For example, in the hallway there are not booths, but shelves for things, during breakfast there are different foods on the tables (in Europe, everyone brings food himself and, of course, everyone has different options. Mostly sandwiches), in the bathroom, children have toothbrushes , on the playground there are unsafe slides and swings. show hidden text

Kindergarten on Wheels my-shop. ❤❤❤ 2.5+ The story of how a kid excavator meets a kindergarten where all the characters are vehicles. Highly recommend for little transport lovers. The book tells about the first communicative experience of the baby, about failures and successes. Fears and failures are served softly. There are many typical situations: for the first time we go into a group, for the first time we meet a classmate, we have breakfast, we strengthen friendship with an old acquaintance, we communicate with a new nerd, we communicate with a new hooligan. show hidden text

Books about kindergarten (anti-recommendation)

Connie goes to kindergarten my-shop. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 The book is beautiful, but completely European. Almost every turn is not consistent with domestic realities. Most of the book mothers are with children in the kindergarten group. We don't allow it. Already the first day of kindergarten begins with non-standard activities - gluing a photo of a child on a stand in a group, building barricades of chairs and blankets. And then Connie missed her mother and ran up to her)). Breakfast is organized in a European way - the children each bring their own food from home in lunchboxes. show hidden text

"I'm going to kindergarten!" my-shop, labyrinth. ❤ Book from the Fairytale Therapy series my-shop, labyrinth. It contains 10 stories working through various adaptation problems in kindergarten. It is important to know that therapeutic methods must be used with caution. It is foolish to drink painkillers for prevention. With therapeutic fairy tales, a similar story, if they are read in the absence of problems, then they may appear. show hidden text

Raccoon goes to kindergarten my-shop, labyrinth. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻. The book is a disappointment. A typical story of how a little raccoon first went to kindergarten. Suitable for children who are negatively opposed to kindergarten. A book from the category of therapeutic fairy tales. Many chapters are, in my opinion, a clumsy study of problem situations. The author lacks delicacy in the presentation of the material. For children who are positive about kindergarten, the book can cause problems. I would advise her to read pointwise, working through the existing problems or not to read at all. show hidden text

Show hidden text about ratings in the table

	"Little Theo is going to kindergarten." ❤❤❤ Labirint 90 pages of picture stories about a toddler going to kindergarten for the first time. Makes a very positive impression! I would definitely try it, but I found out about the book when Artem had already adapted.	illustration aesthetics - schematic text volume - minimum number of pages 90! binding: hardcover price: from 500 with all discounts
	"Tim the Mouse goes to Kindergarten" my-shop. This book is part of a series of books about typical baby situations my-shop. The history is simple. The design according to the photo is excellent, for the current cost it is necessary to take)). The illustrations are aesthetic, but do not reflect the daily routine in kindergarten or these spreads are not available in online stores.	aesthetic illustrations - 9 text size - 2 number of pages 32 binding: hardcover price 230 rubles.
	"Kindergarten without tears" my-shop, labyrinth. A typical story of how a kitten first went to kindergarten. Sooo simple in terms of story. In this case, this is not a criticism. Children 2-3 years old, just need simplicity.	aesthetic illustrations - 9 text size - 4 number of pages 31 binding: soft rating in the Labyrinth - 8.1 price 113 rubles
	"Tatu and Patu in Kindergarten" my-shop, labirint. ❤ ❤ ❤ A book from a funny series about Tata and Pata my-shop, labyrint. A couple of friends went to the water park, but ended up in a kindergarten by mistake. And it turned out pretty good ;-)! The book is good, but the plot seems to be more suitable for children 4-6 years old. She is a must! Very funny characters, we are collecting this series with Yana. In general, a series for children 5+.	aesthetic illustrations - 1 text size - 3 number of pages - 40 binding: hardcover rating in the Labyrinth - 9.09 price 251 rubles
	"Max in kindergarten. Tips from a little dinosaur" my-shop, labyrinth. Another funny story about a character's acquaintance with a kindergarten. Ed. Prof-Press and, despite this, the photo book makes a good impression)).	aesthetic illustrations - 5 text size - 3 number of pages 24 binding: soft rating in the Labyrinth - 9. 2 price 190 rubles
	“Dusya and Piglet Bobik. First day in kindergarten” ❤ my-shop, labirint. Colorful cute book. We have one. Plot: the mother persuaded the child to go to kindergarten by sewing a soft toy for him overnight. I think the method is not suitable for everyone. )) Otherwise, the girl gets acquainted with the situation, and begins to feel comfortable.	aesthetic illustrations - 8 text size - 9 number of pages -40 binding: hardcover rating in the Labyrinth - 9.77 price 431 rubles.
	"Seva the bunny doesn't want to go to kindergarten!" my-shop hardcover, labyrinth. soft my-shop, labyrinth. Typical story of how a hare first went to kindergarten. Sooo simple in terms of story.	aesthetic illustrations - 5 text size - 3 number of pages 32 binding: available in both versions (soft, hard) rating in the Labyrinth - 6. Learn more Fun maths games for kindergarten Words that rhyme with nonsense First grade writing games Learn to write for toddlers Following directions activities kids Phonological awareness games Virtual math activities for kindergarten Educational activities for 3 year olds printable 3 bears porridge story Activities for a seven year old Sounds activities for toddlers