Helpful First Day of School Books for Kindergarten and Preschool
Your child’s first experiences at school can be exciting, scary, anxiety-provoking, or a mix of all of the above. The list of first day of school books below can help you introduce the idea of school to a young child.
Why Books Can Help With The First Day of School
Heading off to school for the very first time is an exciting but scary idea for most kids. Many may be leaving their parents for the first time. New schools mean new rules, new friends, and new worries.
I’ve always found that the easiest way to explain new situations to my own kids is through reading about them in books.
The books below help to tackle different ideas – missing mom, anxiety about meeting new people, or learning about what teachers do to get ready for school. These are the perfect stories for the first day of school.
The Best First Day of School Books for Your Child
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best First Day of Preschool Book
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney – Jump to Section
The Best First Day of School Book for Kindergarten
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten – Jump to section
The Best First Day of School Book Featuring a Beloved Character
Time for School, Mouse by Lauren Numeroff – Jump to section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
First Day of Preschool Books
Llama Llama Misses Mama
Author: Anna Dewdney
Illustrator: Anna Dewdney
Year: 2009
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 2 – 7
More info: Part of the Llama Llama series
Plot
It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool and he is overwhelmed with feelings. He is trying to get used to the new toys and new surroundings but he just misses his mama. Soon he learns that it’s OK to love mama and have fun at school too. This was recently turned into a Netflix book adaptation starring Jennifer Garner.
Why Kirsten loves it
A solid introduction to preschool separation anxiety and how kids can deal with it.
Find this book in: Books About Feelings / Books for 2-year-old / First Day of School Books
The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School
Author: Deborah Diesen
Illustrator: Dan Hanna
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 2 – 5
More info: Part of the Pout-Pout Fish series
Plot
Mr. Fish can’t figure out where to go, he can’t figure out how to write and he can’t figure out how to draw. He doesn’t think he belongs or is smart enough so his frown comes out as he thinks he wouldn’t ever get it right.
Finally, his teacher comes out to find him and tells him he IS smart, he WILL get it, and he DOES belong.
Why Jackie loves it
This is an adorable first-day-of-school book for kids with performance anxiety. If your child is worried about starting preschool, this is a great story to read!
Find this book in: First Day of School Books / Best Books for 3-year-olds
Maisy Goes to Preschool
Author: Lucy Cousins
Illustrator: Lucy Cousins
Year: 2010
Genre: Board Book
Age: 2 – 4
Plot
Maisy’s easy sentences, bright colors, and brevity make it perfect for younger kiddos to learn the concept of school. If you are looking for a first day of preschool book, this is a very sweet pick.
Why Jackie loves it
In my house, Maisy was a much-loved character. If your child is starting preschool at ages 2 or 3, this is the perfect book for you.
Find this book in: First Day of School Books / Best Books for 2-year-olds
Wemberly Worried
Author: Kevin Henkes
Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Year: 2000
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 3 – 6
Plot
Wemberly worries all the time, but she is especially worried about school. This story tackles the difficult topic of children with anxiety.
Why Kirsten loves it
This was particularly helpful for my oldest child who has some anxiety in day-to-day situations but a lot of anxiety in new situations. He could relate to Wemberly and her feelings which opened a nice discussion for us.
Find this book in: Best Books for 3-year-olds / First Day of School Books
How Do Dinosaurs Go to School
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Year: 2007
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 6
More info: Part of the How Do Dinosaurs series
Plot
How do dinosaurs go to school? In this call-and-response story, the dinosaurs act up, and the reader says NO before the proper behavior is shown.
Why Kirsten loves it
In true dinosaur fashion, this story teaches the rights and wrongs of good behavior at school. This is especially good for boys who are prone to acting up. While Wemberly Worried was best for my oldest, this one was made for my youngest. 😉
The Kissing Hand
Author: Audrey Penn
Illustrator: Ruth E. Harper, Nancy M. Leak
Year: 1993
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 5
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Plot
Little Racoon is heading off to school for the first time but is worried that he won’t feel comfortable in his new surroundings. Mrs. Racoon teaches him about the kissing hand so that he can have a piece of home in his heart wherever he goes.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a must-read in my opinion. It’s great for introducing the feeling of seperation anxiety with children going off to school, to a grandparent’s house, or for daycare. I used a version of the kissing hand method with my little one when he went off to preschool and it really does work!
Find this book in: Best Books for 2-year-olds / First Day of School Books
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
Author: Ryan T. Higgins
Illustrator: Ryan T. Higgins
Year: 2018
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 6
More info: Part of the Penelope Rex series
Plot
This hysterical story is all about a young dinosaur who has trouble making friends because she can’t stop eating them! It’s silly and funny especially a goldfish take a bite out of her little dinosaur finger. A little taste of her own medicine helps her learn her lesson.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you want a great laugh, this first day of school book should be your choice.
Find this book in: Best Books for 4-year-olds / First Day of School Books
First Day of School Books for Kindergarten
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Author: Joseph Slate
Illustrator: Ashley Wolff
Year: 1996
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 5 – 6
More info: Part of the Miss Bindergarten series
Plot
Using the letters of the alphabet, readers meet each kid in the class as they get ready for school. We also see Miss Bindergarten get ready for school by cleaning, organizing, and decorating her classroom.
Why Jackie loves it
If you are looking for first day of school books for kindergarten, this is a really cute choice.
Find this book in: Best Books for 5-year-olds / First Day of School Books / Alphabet Books
The King of Kindergarten
Author: Derrick Barnes
Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Year: 2019
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 5 – 6
Plot
After his parents call him the King of Kindergarten, a young boy experiences his first day of school in his new “kingdom.”
Why Jackie loves it
Sharing, learning, and the joy of making new friends are all explored in his sweet tale. This adorable pick from first day of school books it so uplifting.
Find this book in: Best Books for 5-year-olds / First Day of School Books
School’s First Day of School
Author: Adam Rex
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Year: 2016
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 5 – 6
Plot
This clever tale is written about School as he witnesses children and teachers using his facilities for the very first time. He is a little nervous as some say they don’t want to be there, but he starts to learn what the children learn and laugh at the jokes they tell.Â
Why Jackie loves it
I absolutely love this first day of school book and the lovely twist. It’s a great story to prompt a discussion about your child’s first day of school worries!
Find this book in: Best Books for 4-year-olds / First Day of School BooksÂ
David Goes to School
Author: David Shannon
Illustrator: David Shannon
Year: 1999
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 6
More info: part of the No, David! series
Plot
Back with his antics, David shows all the things your little one should NOT do at school. From cutting the lunch line to not listening, this book is great for first-timers to learn what the expectations are at school.
Why Jackie loves it
Try asking your little one if they know what David should be doing in each situation instead!
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Year: 2019
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 3 – 6
More info: Part of the Pigeon series
Plot
The Pigeon is back at it again with this hilarious story about why Pigeon doesn’t want to go to school. He knows everything already, right? So why exactly does he have to go?
Why Jackie loves it
Particularly good for kids not wanted to go back to school, I love the way Mo Willems captures big feelings and turns them into funny situations. As always, this story will leave your child in giggles.
Find this book in: First Day of School Books / Best Books for 3-year-olds
First Day of School Books Kids’ Library Essentials
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First Day of School Books Featuring Beloved Characters
Perhaps all your little one needs is a book featuring their favorite character going off to school. If that sounds right, then check out one of these books below.
Expert Tip
There are sections for the first day of preschool books and the first day of kindergarten books. These books have characters heading into those specific classes so your child can experience school through the eyes of a character like them.
You’ll also find general books for the first day of school that
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best first-day-of-school books for first-time students?
There are lots of great stories to prepare young kids for school. If your child is worried, Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Misses Mama or Audrey Penn’s The Kissing Hand are both great choices.
For the child more excited than nervous, Mo Willems’ The Pigeon Has to Go to School and Adam Rex’s School’s First Day of School are both excellent!
Related Content
Epilogue
Do you think these were helpful first-day-of-school books? Do you have more to recommend to first-time students?
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