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

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

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

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.
Some feelings are so big, that one word just doesn't cut it. It's the first day of school for Afua! There's no one word to name her feelings. Is she scared? Excited? Oh wait, she's scarecited! Her own combination of both. Why should she have to choose?"Flute" is fly + cute. "Shurious" is shy +...

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

Fall Is for Beginnings
Larocca, Rajani/ Alwar, Abhi (ILT)
From Newbery Honor author Rajani LaRocca and critically acclaimed illustrator Abhi Alwar, an authentic celebration of friendship and finding your place in this back-to-school picture book and follow up to Summer Is for Cousins Ravi can't wait for the start of the new school year!...

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

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.
The human school is full, but don't worry, there's a spot waiting for you at the local dragon school! Even though you might not have scales or wings or the ability to breathe fire, with a little bit of courage and your own special talents, you'll have no trouble fitting in. Even if your classmates...

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

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,...

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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