Going back to school and starting a new grade can be a stressful time in your child’s life. These are some of the best books about kindergarten you can read to help your uncertain child starting kindergarten.
For my kiddo, starting Kindergarten after Preschool filled her with anxiety. At first, she was really excited about going back to school. That is, until it came up in conversation that she wouldn’t be returning to her old school.
You may think, having gone through preschool, your child is ready for Kindergarten.
But the truth is, changing schools, even for a well-adjusted preschooler, can come with difficult emotions. Just as they’ve become accustomed to their routines, friends, and teacher, they entered into summer.
And then the harsh reality (for a new Kindergartner) is learning that things are going to change again.
“Will my friends be there? Why can’t I go to my old school?”
My daughter was full of questions. Emotions were all over the place.
As is standard, I helped her find answers and comfort through books.
We spent lots of time discussing that she would have a new teacher and make new friends. And, of course, there was the possibility she’d see some of her friends from her old school.
If your child is having some difficulty with the idea of changing schools, making new friends, or the idea of starting kindergarten, check out these books which may help ease some of those pre-Kindergarten jitters.
These are some of the best books about Kindergarten I could find.
Kindergarten Jitters? Best Books about Kindergarten
These are some of the best books for the child starting Kindergarten. And, I’m not just blindly recommending some of these books … I’ve used them with my own child and tried to include books that had good ratings.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Steinberg, D.J. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 06/14/2012 (Publication Date) – Grosset & Dunlap (Publisher)
- Hardcover Book
- Rabe, Tish (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 06/21/2016 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)
- illustrations
- easy readin
- tells a story to pre-school kids
- kindergarten
- Part of the Reading Railroad Series
- Davis, Katie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 06/01/2008 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)
- Slate, Joseph (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages – 07/09/2001 (Publication Date) – Puffin Books (Publisher)
- Bridwell, Norman (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 04/28/2015 (Publication Date) – Scholastic Inc. (Publisher)
- Buzzeo, Toni (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 07/11/2013 (Publication Date) – Puffin Books (Publisher)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Mccourt, Lisa (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 07/01/2010 (Publication Date) – Cartwheel Books (Publisher)
- Hays, Anna Jane (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 24 Pages – 07/09/2013 (Publication Date) – Dragonfly Books (Publisher)
“MY SCHOOL STARTS in one week so—I have SEVEN DAYS to go. Mom says be patient, do not worry. But I can’t wait! I’m in a hurry!”In this delightful book a little girl counts off the days by naming what she’ll do in kindergarten. “I’ll be ready, I’ll be smart. I will get a running start. I’ll say thank you, I’ll say please. I will say my ABCs!” And deciding what to wear and what to take are all part of her preparation for that exciting first day. With bouncy read-aloud rhyme, bright, fun illustrations, and hidden objects to find on each page, Kindergarten Countdown gets children off on the right foot.
Countdown to Kindergarten
- McGhee, Alison (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 07/01/2006 (Publication Date) – Clarion Books (Publisher)
“Told with gentle humor by Alison McGhee and brought to exuberant life by New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss, this lighthearted take on pre-kindergarten anxiety will bring a smile to the face of every child–and parent–having first-day jitters.”
- Carlson, Nancy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 07/09/2001 (Publication Date) – Puffin Books (Publisher)
“The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can’t wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting. When he gets to school, though, he’s not so sure he’s ready for kindergarten. But before long Henry discovers that the only thing he’s not ready for is how much fun he’s going to have at school! This gently humorous, encouraging story will give children about to enter kindergarten an extra boost of confidence.”
- Wing, Natasha (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 16 Pages – 05/12/2011 (Publication Date) – Grosset & Dunlap (Publisher)
“Join a whole bunch of excited kids as they begin a new adventure–kindergarten! Includes more than 75 stickers so little readers can act out getting ready for kindergarten and having fun on the first day of school.”
- Hardcover Book
- unknown author (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 01/01/1704 (Publication Date) – Charlesbridge (Publisher)
- Hardcover Book
- Litwin, Eric (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 40 Pages – 07/26/2011 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)
- Penn, Audrey (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 08/04/2020 (Publication Date) – Tanglewood (Publisher)
- Hardcover Book
- Portis, Antoinette (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 06/22/2010 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)
Do you have any books about kindergarten to add to this list?
7 comments
As the mom to two former kindergarten girls only a year a part, I can honestly say we read almost all of the above. Plus both my girl’s favorite was The Kissing Hand. So that one I always recommend to all my friends with younger kids entering school for the first time, too 😉
YES! We read The Kissing Hand for my daughter’s first time in VPK. Thanks for your feedback 🙂
These all look wonderful. I’ll definitely need to get some for my son!
Mine are all much bigger now, but I remember the kissing hand as a favorite when they were little and going back to school. Thank you for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
This is a fabulous list! Thank you so much. I am fortunate to have Kindergarten in the same school as preschool but we may use some of these for the transition to first grade at a new school. These would also be great for starting preschool. Just change the wording. My baby will be starting next year and I’m totally freaking out!!
Actually, I do have a list for Preschoolers too 🙂 https://www.sahmplus.com/going-to-preschool-reduce-anxiety-get-excited/
Amazing collection. Thanks for sharing.
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