15+ Books to Get Kids Excited About the First Day of Kindergarten

Emily Elizabeth's kindergarten teacher said each child can bring something from home that makes the transition to school a little easier. But the teacher didn't bet on a child bringing something—or someone—as big as Clifford!

This upbeat tale features easy-to-follow rhyming text, expressive illustrations, and familiar classroom scenes that will help get little ones excited for their first day of school.

A touching story of first-day jitters and hopes, Tony Johnston's rhyming text is paired with Melissa Sweet's delightful illustrations!

In this picture book reinvention of the Tweleve days of Christmas, a five-year-old recounts the cool new things she got to do in the first twelve days of kindergarten.

These emergent readers introduce the youngest readers to school and build understanding and excitement for what lies ahead!

It's the first day of kindergarten and Miss Bindergarten is hard at work getting the classroom ready for her twenty-six new students.

Each and every day celebrates a letter of the alphabet with a fun-filled classroom scene. And for additional alphabet fun, there's a search-and-find element on every page. 

Turn little pouts into big smiles! Mr. Pout-Pout Fish is nervously awaiting his first day of school, and he frets about not knowing how to write his name, how to draw shapes, and how to do math - until he's reassured that school is the perfect place to learn how to master all of these new skills.

The friends in Ms. Bird's preschool class are taking a sneak peek at kindergarten. What will they see?

Here is the story of a little raccoon who confronts the first day of school and needs reassurance. Mother Raccoon finds an unforgettable way of communicating the message that everyone most needs to hear. The perfect book for any child taking the plunge into school, endearing illustrations are as soothing as the simple story.

Come along and join the fun as dinosaurs ride the bus, read their favorite books, and have fun on the playground with all their friends. Going to school has never been so much fun!

It's Pete the Cat's first day of school, and he's wearing his totally awesome school shoes. He's ready for anything! 

Wemberly worried about spilling her juice, about shrinking in the bathtub, even about snakes in the radiator. But when she meets a fellow worrywart in her class, Wemberly realizes that school is too much fun to waste time worrying.

This companion to the Caldecott Honor Book No, David! brings readers back for a wild, unruly romp through the school day. Young students will relate to David's high energy and penchant for trouble.

It's just 10 days before kindergarten, and this little girl has heard all there is to know — from a first grader — about what it's going to be like. The number one rule: You can't ask anyone for help. Ever. So what do you do when your shoes come untied, if you're the only one in the class who doesn't know how to tie them up again?

Let the countdown to kindergarten begin! This engaging picture book captures a child's excitement as the big day nears.

Celebrate all the familiar milestones and moments shared by every kid entering kindergarten in this charming second-person narrative. Whether it's early-morning jitters or becoming familiar with new classroom routines, this sweet and bouncy story will have expectant kindergarteners saying, "Kindergarten is cool!"

That lovely old lady has returned just in time for the first day of school. Now she's swallowing items to make the very best of her first day back.

This clever picture book will prepare young explorers to boldly go where they have never gone before: Planet Kindergarten.