By sharing stories together and having conversations about the books you read, you can help young children understand the world around them. Seeing diverse experiences represented in books helps children to explore their own identities and develop empathy for others.
These picture books cover a variety of topics about school. Stories of first day jitters as well as stories about the successes and challenges of the classroom are explored in these books for children ages 3-8.
Not every book is available at all locations, but any title can be requested. The children’s librarian at your neighborhood library is also here to help, with suggestions for additional titles on topics of interest–or feel free to suggest some titles to us. New books are always being added to the collection. You can find more Here to Help booklists on different topics by clicking here.
Rosie can’t wait to start kindergarten. But suddenly, on the night before the big day, her tummy hurts. Rosie’s mom reassures her that it’s just butterflies in her belly, and she’ll feel better soon. As the day goes on, Rosie frees all her butterflies, and even helps another shy student let go of hers, too.
Drying clothes suggest different people the reader will meet on the first day of school. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla.
Ten days before the start of kindergarten, a preschooler can not tie her shoes by herself and fears the worst.
Oliver and Dad have spent a fun summer together but when it comes time for the first day of school, Dad discovers that he is not ready and does everything he can to postpone the big day.
As young Eddie goes through his checklist to get ready for school, his mother does not agree with all of his choices.
Explains how young dinosaurs should behave during a typical school day.
Three children from other countries (Somalia, Guatemala, and Korea) struggle to adjust to their new home and school in the United States. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on Hoopla or as video with read along on Hoopla.
Although kindergarten provides unique challenges for a young buffalo, one who follows the rules and tries his best will get along fine.
Llama Llama experiences separation anxiety on his first day of nursery school.
Lola meets new friends and tries many new things on her fun but exhausting first day of school. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Hoopla.
Lulu starts witch school and meets a classmate who is best at everything.
A five-year-old boy, ready and eager on his first day at “the big kids’ school,” must calm his very worried mother.
Kindergarten is just a week away and Monkey is not ready, but with help and encouragement from family and friends, he begins to get excited.
Zulay is a blind girl who longs to be able to run in the race on field and track day at her school.
Warm and friendly characters welcome a new student to the first day of school.
By the time Sumi finishes her first day of school, she decides that school is not as lonely, scary, or mean as she had thought.
Kindergartner Yoko not only learns to write her letters and numbers in English, she shows her teacher and fellow students how to write their names using Japanese calligraphy.