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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Greater Victoria Public Library
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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 Goodnight Train ready for school
Sobel, June
Paper Book
All aboard the Goodnight Train in this night-before-school companion to The Goodnight Train Halloween and The Goodnight Train Easter. Features peek-a-boo die cuts on every page! The engine chugs slow and steady. Get your brand-new...

Board Book

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F PEN
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

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...

Picturebook (topic: kindergarten)

On the night before kindergarten
Wells, Rosemary
Paper Book
Beloved author-illustrator Rosemary Wells tells the story of a young cat who goes to bed worrying about what might happen on the first day of school--only to be pleasantly surprised in this engaging and reassuring picture book! On the night before kindergarten, Milo's dreams are...
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

It's your first day of school, Busy Bus!
Shaffer, Jody Jensen
Paper Book
It's the first day of school! But is Busy Bus ready? Find out in this darling picture book that showcases the excitement and worries little ones experience as they prepare for their first day. Today is the very first day of school! Busy Bus is excited, but he also has some first...

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...

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

Scarecited on the first day of school
Agostini, Alliah L.
For fans of School's First Day of School, this is a picture book about a young girl who is feeling mixed emotions about her first day of school. Some feelings are so big, one word just doesn't cut it.     It's the first day of...

Picturebook

The little bear
Killen, Nicola
Paper Book
From beloved author-illustrator Nicola Killen comes an adorable back to school story about a bear cub soothing a little girl's fears, tenderly told and illustrated in limited color with lovely foil and interactive die cut pages. The end of summer can be a bittersweet time, and...

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
A modern twist on the classic song "The Twelve Days of Christmas," this picture book will convince parents and children alike that there is no place cooler than a preschool classroom! On the first day of preschool, there are so many new things to do! From making friends to...

Picturebook

When you go to dragon school
Campbell, Chelsea M.
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

May's brave day
Morris, Lucy
Paper Book
A charming picture book for young readers taking on the first day of school. May has butterflies in her tummy on the first day of school. She thinks back to other brave days to see if she can find that feeling again. She even tries to hop and skip away her worries. Nothing...

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

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

Amelia Bedelia's first day of school
Parish, Herman.
Paper Book
Amelia Bedelia goes to school and mixes up just about everything in this bright and funny picture book about the childhood of the iconic character. In the first book in the nationally bestselling series about the childhood of America's favorite literal-minded housekeeper, Amelia Bedelia is...

Picturebook (topic: grade 1)

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

My first day of school
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin
Paper Book
Young readers can learn all about what happens at school in this Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read with sweet text and photographs of first-time students! It's the first day of school in this early reader by Biscuit creator Alyssa Satin Capucilli. What will it be like? At school,...

Levelled Reader (level pre-1)

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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