Time for School

Picture books to prepare children for their first day of school.

Updated May 30, 2023
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Not this bear
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin
Paper Book
The story of an adorable bear's first day of preschool, Alyssa Satin Capucilli'sNot This Bear, featuring illustrations by Lorna Hussey. It's Bear's first day of school, and he's a bit reluctant to go. Mama says all bears love school; Bear isn't so sure. But...
Mae's first day of school
Berube, Kate
Paper Book
"A reassuring, gently amusing picture book for children anticipating (or remembering) their first day of school" (Booklist). As Mae's first day of school approaches she decides she IS. NOT. GOING. School is scary! What if the other kids don't like her?...
First day jitters
Danneberg, Julie
Paper Book
Head back to school with the bestselling picture book classic! The perennial classroom read-aloud favorite for students and teachers, reminding us we all get the jitters sometimes. A perfect new school year pick for kindergarteners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders who are...
First day jitters
Danneberg, Julie
Paper Book
Head back to school with the bestselling picture book classic! The perennial classroom read-aloud favorite for students and teachers, reminding us we all get the jitters sometimes. A perfect new school year pick for kindergarteners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders who are...
Not yet, Yeti
Freitas, Bethany V.
Paper Book
Yeti learns about the importance of patience and perseverance as he uses growth mindset on his first day of kindergarten. It's Yeti's first day of school and there are so many new things to try! Maybe he can't do everything he wants to do perfectly just yet, but his...
First day critter jitters
John, Jory
Paper Book
First-day-of-school jitters have never been funnier or more reassuring than in this picture book by the New York Times bestselling author Jory John and critically acclaimed illustrator Liz Climo It's almost the first day of school, and the animals are nervous. Sloth...
The King of Kindergarten
Barnes, Derrick D.
Paper Book
The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.It sits and shines behind your head--like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten! Starting kindergarten is a big milestone--and the hero of this story is ready to make...
The pigeon has to go to school!
Willems, Mo
Paper Book
Mo Willems, #1 New York Times best-selling creator and three-time Caldecott Honoree, presents everyone's favorite Pigeon trying to escape . . . SCHOOL.   Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the...
Big boys cry
Howley, Jonty
Paper Book
Let boys cry! This picture book imagines a world in which boys are encouraged to express their full range of emotions. It's Levi's first day at a new school, and he's scared. His father tries to comfort Levi by telling him "Big boys don't cry." Though the father immediately...
Move it, Miss Macintosh!
Janousky, Peggy Robbins
Paper Book
It's the first day of school and Miss Macintosh is certain about one thing: she isn't going! As she snuggles back under the covers, the doorbell rings. In comes Mr. Bellweather, the school principal who assures her that all kindergarten teachers have first day jitters. Soon, other...
Froggy goes to school
London, Jonathan
Paper Book
Froggy's mother knows that everyone's nervous on the first day of school. "Not me " says Froggy, and together they leapfrog to the bus stop--flop flop flop. Froggy's exuberant antics will delight his many fans and reassure them that school can be fun. "This is a great read-aloud with sounds...
My first day
Phung, Nguyen Quang
Paper Book
A visually stunning story of resilience and determination by an award-winning new author-illustrator team, perfect for back to school. This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat...
Pirates don't go to kindergarten!
Robinson, Lisa
Paper Book
Yo, ho, ho! It's a mutiny against kindergarten! Pirate Emma is about to start kindergarten! But Emma's not so sure she's ready for a new captain and crew. Especially since Cap'n Chu--the roughest, toughest, awesomest preschool cap'n ever--is right down the hall. So Emma decides to...
Clover Kitty goes to kittygarten
Salas, Laura Purdie
Paper Book
Clover Kitty does NOT want to go to kittygarten! Although she might like a friend to play with, kittygarten feels overwhelming for a sensory-sensitive kitty like Clover. And when she arrives, it is exactly as she fears: her classroom is too loud, the lights are too bright, and everyone comes too...
Go home, Mrs. Beekman!
Stampler, Ann Redisch.
Paper Book
A funny cure for new-school jitters. Emily Beekman has a problem. School is starting and she doesnat want to go. Nothing changes her mind until Mom promises to go with heraevery day. Emily discovers right away that school is really funathereas an art table, a big jungle gym, and a friendly person...
Bear's big day
Yoon, Salina
Paper Book
It's Bear's very first day of school! He wants to be grown up, so he leaves his stuffed bunny Floppy at home along with all his familiar things. But being away from his best friend is hard--and the first day doesn't turn out quite how like Bear wanted it to. Bear learns that...
Play day school day
Yuly, Toni
Paper Book
A younger sibling's curiosity about school opens up a world of possibilities in this ode to the great outdoors. Tomorrow is the first day of the new school year, and big sister Mona can't wait to go back. "What do you do at school?" asks little brother Milo. As he listens to Mona...
Hattie Harmony : worry detective
Olsen, Elizabeth
Paper Book
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller! Award-winning actress Elizabeth Olsen and esteemed musician Robbie Arnett have created a fresh approach to wellness in a new series that shows children ways to manage anxiety. A perfect back-to-school read! Meet Hattie...

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