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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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

Ready for kindergarten
Freitas, Bethany V.
Paper Book
A reassuring and empowering book for all incoming kindergarteners, especially those who wonder: Am I ready You are! The unknown can be scary and the first day of school intimidating, for kids and the grownups who love them. Perfect for easing nerves and increasing excitement,...

Picturebook (topic: kindergarten)

Narwhal vs. kindergarten
Roeder, Vanessa
A gentle tale from the beloved creator of The Box Turtle about a narwhal whose horn keeps getting in the way during his first week of school, until his new friends help him find just the right accommodations Hugo has a problem. A big, tall problem. One that refuses to go...

Picturebook

First day of school
Berg, Esther van den
Paper Book
A funny, heartwarming, and colorful picture book about the first school at day. For children who are a little afraid of this big step and for those looking forward to it. It's Robin's first day at school. He doesn't look forward to it, but he actually ends up having a lot of fun!...

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

Alpaca goes back-a to school
Bardhan-Quallen, Sudipta
A joyful picture book about a young alpaca's first day back at school, from powerhouse team Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Leeza Hernandez The first day back to school is always a little scary, but Alpaca is ready to face the new year! With shoes tied and snack-a all packed-a,...

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
A Jurassic-themed, rhyming picture book for children starting school! All through the land, little dinos were stirring. They opened their eyes and their brains started whirring. The BIG day is here! they thought in a hurry . . . They...

Picturebook

Sammy and Sunny's first day of school
LaCour, Nina
An adorable and reassuring book for kids who are starting school for the first time, and a funny look at the similarities and differences between kindergarten and doggie daycare It's the first day of kid school for Sammy and the first day of puppy school for Sunny. They both feel...

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

Trusty bus
Verdick, Elizabeth
A bustling school bus and bus driver duo take care of their beloved riders each day in this cheerful, bouncy picture book perfect for back to school and all year round. It's time for school, and Trusty Bus and Driver Dee are gearing up! Trusty's riders are coming, and his engine...

Picturebook

On the first day of preschool
Rabe, Tish
Paper Book
Perfect for nervous/excited kids about to go to preschool (and their parents!). This engaging adaptation of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" convinces parents and children alike that there is no place cooler than a preschool classroom! On the first day of preschool, there are...

Picturebook

Sally's big day
Larsen, Andrew
Paper Book
Key Selling Points The book shows how sometimes learning is not easy and that's okay. The teacher demonstrates warmth and encouragement for the new learners. Puppies are cute and relatable, sharing many similarities with children, such as curiosity, energy and playfulness.<...

Picturebook

New
Mata, Nina
Poetic and heartwarming, Geisel Honor-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling creator Niña Mata's first authored picture book stars a young Filipina on her first day of school as she discovers the true and layered meaning of "new." In the big city, everything feels new. ...

Picturebook

Lucky Ducky's very first day of school
Mayer, Mercer
Paper Book
Join Mercer Mayer's beloved character Little Critter and Little Sister as they get ready for school in this My First I Can Read book! It's the night before the first day of school and Little Sister is ready. Backpack--check! Pencils--check! Notebook--check! But...

Levelled Reader (level pre-1)

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)

First day around the world
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Paper Book
From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi and artist Juanita Londoño, this lyrical celebration of the first day of school across every continent explores what going back to school looks like for children in countries around the world! How do...

Non-fiction


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