North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
North Pole - various times
Little Lions: Best Kids' Books About Going to School from The New York Public Library
The back-to-school season is filled with all kinds of chores like things to buy, lunches to pack and clothing to label. But what really stresses elementary schoolers (and, let's face it, their parents) out is the prospect of transitioning into a new grade or going to school for the very first time.
Is it any fun at all? Will I make friends? How much homework will I have? Those are just a few of the questions kids have as the first day of school looms. A great way to ease their anxiety is to read a picture book about what it's like to go to school. So for this month's Little Lions post, Stephanie Whelan, the senior children's librarian at the New York Public Library's Stewart Park branch, shared her favorite kids' books that help kids transition into kindergarten or any new elementary grade.
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1. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
Ages 3 to 6
Perfect for young children headed for preschool or kindergarten, this touching picture book addresses the subject of separation anxiety. A raccoon doesn't want to leave his mama to go to school for the first time but his wise mother kisses his hand, assuring him she'll be with him even when they're not physically together. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
2. Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen, illustrated by Lillian Hoban
Ages 3 to 6
Socializing is one of the scariest things about going to school. In this classic picture book, a boy's anxiety about school subsides when he makes a new pal. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
3. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Ages 3 ot 6
Beloved author Kevin Henkes tackles school fears with his usual aplomb. Young mouse Wemberly worries about everything, especially school, but when she gets to her new classroom, she realizes (after some hilarious fretting) that there really is nothing to be concerned about. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
4. I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child
Ages 3 to 6
Lauren Child’s popular Charlie and Lola characters help quash school fears. It’s Lola’s first time going to school and she’s not at all sure she is ready to go. In fact, she tries every excuse in the book to get out of it. Her big brother Charlie, however, reassures her that she'll be fine. Cute and clever like the entire Charlie and Lola series. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
5. Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
Ages 3 to 6
Splat is going to cat school for the first time. Despite his misgivings, day one turns out a lot better than he expected. The first book in the popular Splat the Cat series. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
6. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
Ages 3 to 6
Miss Bindergarten is preparing for her first day in a new year of kindergarten. There are lots of things to do to get ready in this rhyming picture book, which is a great introduction for children transitioning into elementary school. If your kid likes it, there are more books in the Miss Bindergarten series to enjoy. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
7. Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall
Ages 6 to 9
Older kids love this classic story about misbehaving students and their clever teacher, who outsmarts them all. School is never boring when Miss Nelson is in charge. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
8. Miss Brooks Loves Books (And I Don't) by Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Michael Emberley
Ages 6 to 9
A bookish new teacher wants to impart her love of reading to the entire class, but a skeptical student refuses to be won over... until the right book falls in her lap. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
9. Stephanie's Ponytail by Robert Munsch, illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Ages 6 to 9
Robert Munsch's quirky and clever stories are a must for all elementary schoolers, but this one brilliantly captures student relationships gone crazy. Stephanie just wants to do her own thing without being mimicked by her classmates, but finding a way to stop the copycats leads to much hilarity. A great book for breaking the ice in the classroom. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
10. Stuart Goes to School by Sara Pennypacker, illustration by Martin Matje
Ages 6 to 9
Eight-year-old Stuart is anxious about going to a new school. He’s hoping his magic cape will help him survive his first day in a strange new place. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
11. Making the Grade: Everything your Kindergartner Needs to Know by Daniel A. Van Beek
Sometimes, a nonfiction book like this is just the thing for parents to read and review with their children. If your kids are anxious about what they'll be learning or want to brush up on skills from last year, the Making the Grade series of books, which covers kindergarten through sixth grade, will totally school them. Find it at NYPL or buy it on amazon.
Read about some of our other favorite children's books.
Thanks to The New York Public Library for providing this book list. You can find all of these titles at the library.
