Try reading these picture books to help your child prepare for the big day:
Bernard Goes to School
Goodman, Joan E.
On Bernard the elephant's first day of preschool, he is only interested in
going home, while the rest of his family finds joy in the blocks, paints, and
dolls to which he pays no attention until he makes a new friend.
Billy and the Big New School
Anholt, Laurence
Billy is nervous about starting school, but as he cares for a sparrow that
eventually learns to fly on its own, he realizes that he too can look after
himself.
Boys Team
Schwartz, Amy
A four-year-old boy talks about what he and his two friends do during their
week at preschool.
David's Drawings
Falwell, Cathryn
A shy African American boy arriving at a new school makes friends with his
classmates by drawing a picture of a tree.
Don't Go!
Zalben, Jane Breskin
On the first day of preschool, Daniel gradually overcomes his nervousness as
he plays in the sandbox, collects leaves, and bakes cookies. Includes tips for
parents on getting ready for preschool and a recipe for pumpkin cookies.
Dumpy at School
Edwards, Julie Andrews
Charlie, who is nervous about his first day of school, and Dumpy the
Dumptruck, who is nervous about his first construction job, gradually adjust to
their new settings after making new friends.
First Day, Hooray!
Poydar, Nancy
All over town, Ivy Green and her bus driver and her teacher and the other
school employees get ready for the first day of school.
First Day Jitters
Danneberg, Julie
Sarah is afraid to start at a new school, but both she and the reader are in
for a surprise when she gets to her class.
First Graders From Mars Episode I: Horus' Horrible Day
Corey, Shana
As the school year begins on Mars, Horus the Martian gets off to a rocky
start, but soon discovers that first grade is not really as bad as he thought.
Froggy Goes to School
London, Jonathan
Froggy is nervous about his first day of school, but, even though it's hard to
sit still, he has a wonderful time.
Hello School: A Classroom of Poems
Lillegard, Dee
E 811.54
Poems celebrate the joys of the classroom, focusing on common objects from glue
and scissors to the teacher's desk.
Lucky Goes to School!
Herman, Gail
Lucky, a dog, walks to school with his boy and plays with the other dogs
until the school day ends.
Little Bear Goes to Kindergarten
Langreuter, Jutta
Little Bear likes the teacher, other children, and activities on his first
day at kindergarten, but he does not want his mother to leave.
Little Cliff's First Day of School
Taulbert, Clifton L.
Little Cliff is terrified of starting school, but with Mama Pearl's
encouragement, he is able to overcome his fears.
Little Miss Spider at Sunny Patch School
Kirk, David
On her first day at school, Little Miss Spider worries that she cannot do
what the others can, but she learns that she has a special quality all her own.
Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Carlson, Nancy L.
Even though Henry is looking forward to going to kindergarten, he is not
sure about staying once he first gets there.
Mama, Don't Go!
Wells, Rosemary
Yoko loves kindergarten, but she doesn't want her mother to leave-until her
new friend helps her realize that mothers always come back.
McDuff Goes to School
Wells, Rosemary
When McDuff and his new French-speaking neighbors' dog are enrolled in
obedience school, it seems as though McDuff has not learned his lessons.
Meet the Barkers: Morgan and Moffat Go to School
De Paola, Tomie
Bossy Moffie and her quiet twin brother Morgie both enjoy starting school,
especially getting gold stars and making new friends.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Slate, Joseph
Introduces the letters of the alphabet, as Miss Bindergarten and her
students get ready for kindergarten.
The Name Jar
Choi, Yangsook
After Unhei moves from Korea to the United States, her new classmates help
her decide what her name should be.
Off to School, Baby Duck
Hest, Amy
Baby Duck experiences the fear of the first day of school, but with a little
help from Grampa, everything turns out okay in the end.
Pete and Polo's Big School Adventure
Reynolds, Adrian
Pete and his polar bear are both nervous on their first day of school,
especially when Polo finds he is the only bear that's not brown.
Score One for the Sloths
Lester, Helen
Sparky, a new energetic student at a sloth school, saves her lazy classmates
when a wild boar from a government agency tries to shut the school down.
Sparky and Eddie: The First Day of School
Johnston, Tony
Even though they are not in the same class, two young friends are glad that
they decided to give school a try.
Tiptoe into Kindergarten
Rogers, Jacqueline
A young preschooler accompanies her big brother to kindergarten and
discovers a fun atmosphere, full of blocks and books, paints and puzzles.
Tom Goes to Kindergarten
Wild, Margaret
When Tom, a young panda, goes to his first day of kindergarten, his whole
family stays and plays and wishes they could be in kindergarten too.
Vera's First Day of School
Rosenberry, Vera
Vera cannot wait for the day when she starts school, but the first day does
not go exactly as she has anticipated.
We Share Everything!
Munsch, Robert N.
On the first day of school, after their kindergarten teacher scolds them for
not sharing, a boy and girl share their clothes and shoes.
Welcome to Kindergarten
Rockwell, Anne
A boy visits the classroom where he will attend kindergarten the following
fall and finds out what is in store for him.
Wemberly Worried
Henkes, Kevin
A mouse named Wemberly, who worries about everything, finds that she has a
whole list of things to worry about when she faces the first day of nursery
school.
What to Expect at Preschool
Murkoff, Heidi
E 372.2109
Explains what happens during a typical day at preschool, and describes teachers,
daily activities, and the classroom.
Prepared by TRL Youth Services Staff
6/02
