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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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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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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