Best Books for Kindergarteners

Kindergarten is all about getting kids ready for elementary school. But how do you get your kids ready for kindergarten? These books can help ease first-day-of-school jitters by showing kids the lay of the land: classroom, cubbies, and playground. They'll be reassured as they see kids, animal characters, even monsters having fun, making new friends, and returning home to share all they've learned. And for more stories to get your kid ready for school, check out our Back-to-School Books.

I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything! Poster Image
BOOK

I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything!

age 2+

Inspiring viral video comes to life in beautiful book.

The King of Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

The King of Kindergarten

age 3+

Fun tale pictures a kid's royally good first day of school.

By: Derrick Barnes (2019)
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! Poster Image
BOOK

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

age 3+

Fresh, wacky take on first-day-of school jitters.

By: Mo Willems (2019)
All Are Welcome Poster Image
BOOK

All Are Welcome

age 4+

Kind, uplifting story of inclusion and diversity at school.

By: Alexandra Penfold (2018)
123 Versus ABC Poster Image
BOOK

123 Versus ABC

age 4+

For number or letter fans, this adds up to a fun read.

By: Mike Boldt (2013)
Chu's First Day of School Poster Image
BOOK

Chu's First Day of School

age 4+

Sneezy panda conquers fitting-in fears in reassuring tale.

By: Neil Gaiman (2014)
The Class Poster Image
BOOK

The Class

age 4+

Relatable look at different kids getting ready for school.

By: Boni Ashburn (2016)
Click, Clack, Quack to School! Poster Image
BOOK

Click, Clack, Quack to School!

age 4+

Animals let loose at recess in fun school-visit tale.

By: Doreen Cronin (2018)
Curious George's First Day of School Poster Image
BOOK

Curious George's First Day of School

age 4+

George makes school silly and fun.

By: Margret Rey, H. A. Rey (2005)
The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten

age 4+

Kindergarten jitters flipped in cute story of mom at school.

The Day You Begin Poster Image
BOOK

The Day You Begin

age 4+

Encouraging advice for kids who feel excluded or less than.

By: Jacqueline Woodson (2018)
Llama Llama Loves to Read Poster Image
BOOK

Llama Llama Loves to Read

age 4+

Reading looks exciting and fun in lively classroom story.

Marco Goes to School Poster Image
BOOK

Marco Goes to School

age 4+

Bird's first day at human school is good, silly fun.

By: Roz Chast (2012)
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

age 4+

Calms first-day-of-kindergarten fears.

By: Joseph Slate (1996)
Monkey: Not Ready for Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

Monkey: Not Ready for Kindergarten

age 4+

Warm book guides preschoolers through kindergarten nerves.

By: Marc Brown (2015)
Monsters Love School Poster Image
BOOK

Monsters Love School

age 4+

Monsters lead way in reassuring first-day-of-school romp.

By: Mike Austin (2014)
The New Bear at School Poster Image
BOOK

The New Bear at School

age 4+

Cuddly bear tale about fitting in at a new school.

By: Carrie Weston (2008)
Off to Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

Off to Kindergarten

age 4+

Playful rhyming story for jittery new students.

By: Tony Johnston (2007)
Otter Goes to School Poster Image
BOOK

Otter Goes to School

age 4+

Otter plays teacher, gains confidence in reassuring tale.

By: Sam Garton (2016)
Planet Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

Planet Kindergarten

age 4+

Space mission a fun metaphor for starting kindergarten.

By: Sue Ganz-Schmitt (2014)