Sending your child to “school” for the first time can be very scary for many parents and children. As we approach the end of summer break, I’m doing all I can to prepare my little ones for school starting up again. One of the first things I do to prepare my children for anything is to reach for some good books on the topic. That’s why I have put together these great back-to-school books for toddlers and preschoolers!
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Whether your child is starting at a new childcare for the first time, preschool, or headed to kindergarten the transition isn’t easy on anyone. I find reading books that show characters feeling the same emotions helps our children see that their feelings are validated. It also helps them to see that what they expect at school.
Many books about back-to-school will show things like riding a bus, eating lunch, or playing outside. These activities help your child see what school may be like when they get to go.
I’ll be putting these books in order from books that I would use with younger children and working up to older children. If you are looking for books for older children please reference the later part of this post.
Back-to-School Books for Toddlers
Spot Loves School By Eric Hill
Spot has a whole series of books about different life experiences that toddlers and young children go through. This includes going to the beach, going swimming, to bed, to the farm, and more. This time Spot is going to school.
He’ll teach your toddler about all the fun things that happen at school. They will play, sing, and read together. After reading about Spot going to school be sure to talk about all of the fun things that Spot does at school with the fun things that your child will do. This will help build text-to-text connections with your child.
Time for School, Little Blue Truck By Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
Little Blue Truck is a classic toddler character! With fun sound words, rhyming throughout his stories, and topics that relate to toddlers it’s no wonder it’s at the top of most toddler book lists!
This time Little Blue Truck is learning about school by seeing the animals lined up on the school bus. He wants to help take the animals to school, too. But will Little Blue Truck get to live his dream of being a school bus for the day? You’ll have to read to find out. Don’t forget to make a connection by talking to your child about a time they wanted to have a job.
If Animals Went to School By Ann Whitford Paul
This cute book will have your kids imagining what it would be like if animals went to school! They can talk about how animal schools would be similar or different from their school. If Animals Went to School has nice illustrations and helps children understand what school might be like when they start going to school.
Time for School, Mouse! By Laura Numeroff
If your kids (or you) are a fan of Mouse! Then this book is perfect for introducing a school or daycare to a toddler. I like that it shows children various school-related items. This teaches vocabulary that they will commonly hear their teacher use like a backpack, lunch box, pencils, and more!
Overall, it’s a cute story of Mouse frantically looking for all of the items that he needs for a fun day at school. But will he find his homework and still make it to school on time?
Biscuit Goes to School By Alyssa Satin Capucilli
This is a favorite of my 4-year-old’s right now! He is loving Biscuit and for good reason. Biscuit is a sweet dog that loves to do things with his owner. This time he wants to go to school. I couldn’t do a list of toddler back-to-school books, and not include putting Biscuit on the list.
Your child will have fun learning about storytime, lunch, and gym class while Biscuit explores the school looking for his owner. But, what will the teacher do when he finds out his student brought her dog to school?
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! By Mo Willems
Mo Willems is a fabulous children’s author – ask any primary school teacher and they’ll point you his way! It’s not just for the awesome illustrations or the great character development. But it’s also because his books include a lot of wonderful reading comprehension skills.
Using the Pigeon books allows for an easy way to teach inferencing, predictions, persuasion, and character traits. This book is no different! This time the Pigeon is being told he has to go to school. But he doesn’t want to go to school and in true Pigeon form, he’s full of excuses! What excuses does your child think he’ll come up with?!
Curious George’s First Day of School By Margret & H.A. Rey’s
Everything that George gets his hands on seems to become a big mess, but will school be any different?! Find out what happens when George gets asked to be a helper on the first day of school. If your child is a fan of Curious George, this is the book for introducing school.
We Don’t Eat Our CLASSMATES By Ryan T. Higgins
This is the book to read to children in the first days of school. Its hilarious, fun story will have readers engaged. But the message that goes with it will keep them learning! The social lesson of “treat others the way you want to be treated” provides an easy way to add to any class discussion on kindness.
Sorry, Grown-Ups You Can’t Go to School By Christina Geist
Let’s talk about a book that shows children all the wonderful reasons that they should want to go to school! The kids in this story have to tell their grown-ups several times that they can’t go to school. Your preschooler will giggle along as the kids in this story have to continually let them know to slow down- you don’t get to go.
Chrysantheum By Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes is a sweet story about a mouse that loves her name – as soon as she goes to school for the first time that is. Once she goes to school she learns that the other mice at school aren’t so fond of her name. This makes Chrysanthemum sad and worried about her name. What will finally help Chrysanthemum see the beauty of her name again?
It’s not a “traditional” first day of school book but it’s perfect for a child that is learning about kindness. If you are looking for more information on Kevin Henkes books check out my book list here.
First Day Jitters By Julie Danneberg
Everyone can relate to the nervous feeling on the first day of school. This sweet book highlights this feeling and shows that we are in this together- especially on the first day of school. It’s a favorite among teachers in my building on the first day and if you give it a chance, there’s no doubt you’ll learn why.
How to Be Kind in Kindergarten By D.J. Steinberg and Ruth Hammond
While walking in Target the other day, I came across this sweet book! I love that it focuses on kindness with a diverse group of children. This book is specific to kindergarten so I saved it for the end. I didn’t want this book list of back-to-school books for toddlers and preschoolers to be specific to one grade level.
I can think of so many interactive writing stories to do with this sweet new book. Let’s start with writing all the ways that the children are kind, then having students pick one way they’ll be kind in kindergarten. My son’s class even gets to put a “heart on the tree” when they show kindness in preschool.
I think teaching kindness is so important! What better time to start than with some of our youngest learners.
Which book will you use for your toddler or preschooler going back to school?
I can’t wait to see which toddler back to school book you are planning to use soon! Please let me know in the comments below.
Love, Ashley E
One Response
Great books listed! Helping children to start school, bevit for the first time or moving on to a new grade it can be intimidating. So many of these books are great to help children to realize they aren’t the only one nervous about school. Preparation of what school might be like may ease the transition. Thanks for book suggestions. My grandchildren are already talking about starting school.