Time for School/Kindergarten for Kids (ages 4-6)

Is it time for Kindergarten? Are there nerves about starting school for the first time? Check out these picturebook and early reader recommendations.

Updated August 8, 2025
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All you need to know about going to school
Brooks, Felicity
Paper Book
A reassuring introduction that familiarises children with everything they need to know when they start school. Join five animal friends as they start school in this delightful introduction to the school day, from getting dressed in the morning to home time. Charming illustrations depict...

Non-fiction

Breathe like a bear : first day of school worries
Willey, Kira
Paper Book
A companion picture book to Breathe Like a Bear that helps kids feel calm and ready to meet new classmates! Bear can't wait to go to her first day of school. But she and a few of her friends are also feeling a little anxious. Luckily, Owl has the perfect words for them all...

Non-fiction picturebook

The kissing hand
Penn, Audrey
Paper Book
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...

Picturebook

School's first day of school
Rex, Adam
Paper Book
"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."― School Library Journal, starred review A heartwarming and clever first day of school tale, from New York Times bestsellers Adam Rex (The Legend...

Picturebook

First day, hooray!
Sobel, June
Paper Book
A back-to-school picture book about the importance of acknowledging your feelings and using them as tools for navigating new experiences. Inspired by the way teachers talk about emotional literacy with young children, this is the ideal book for any kid facing a big milestone, from...

Picturebook

Llama Llama back to school
Duncan, Reed
Paper Book
A Netflix Original series From bestselling author and storyteller Anna Dewdney comes a back-to-school story featuring the beloved Llama Llama! Summer days are getting shorter and it's almost time for the first day of school for Llama! But Llama Llama isn't ready for...

Picturebook

Welcome to dinosaur school
Cobden, Rose
Paper Book
Jewel the dinosaur is very nervous about her first day of school. There are so many new dinos to meet, the dining hall is noisy and her new classroom is so big! But as the day goes on and Jewel settles into her new class and makes new friends, she realises that school isn't that scary...

Picturebook

Tiny T. Rex and the first-day oopsies
Stutzman, Jonathan
Paper Book
It's Tiny T. Rex's first day of school! In this new addition to the bestselling series, Tiny is certain he's ready for anything at his BIG new school--but learns that even the best-prepared dinosaur will still meet some "oopsies" along the way!   ...

Picturebook

When you go to dragon school
Campbell, Chelsea M.
Paper Book
Gear up for back-to-school season with this hilarious picture book that's sure to become a favorite storytime read-aloud in every little reader's library--human or dragon. Perfect for fans of Dragons Love Tacos and We Don't Eat Our Classmates! The...

Picturebook

My name
Kelkar, Supriya
Paper Book
My Name is an inspiring picture book that encourages kids to celebrate themselves and all the things that make them unique, especially their name. Your name means you're different Your name means you're you When an Indian American boy...

Picturebook

School day!
Ransom, Candice F.
Paper Book
It's time for school in this Step 1 reader featuring the family from Pumpkin Day!, Apple Picking Day!, Garden Day, Snow Day, and Beach Day! The start of the new school year means new friends and new experiences! It's big sister's first day of...

Levelled Reader (level 1)


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