Best Books to Prepare Kids for the First Day of School

The first day of school for a kindergarten student can be frightening and worrisome for even the most resilient kids. Books are a great way to help prepare children for life's big events. As a school librarian I am also seeking the best books to use in a variety of situations. If you have a young one starting school soon, check out these librarian and mom recommendations for the best books to prepare kids for the first day of school.

Froggy's First Day by Jack London. Froggy, the hilarious little character that kids love, has a silly nightmare about getting on the school bus and going to school with no pants on! Luckily it's just a dream and Froggy's first day of school goes on without a hitch. This humorous look at the first day of school is a great book to prepare children for kindergarten in a lighthearted way.

Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish. Many parents grew up reading about the quirky Amelia Bedelia. This book takes the grown-up Amelia Bedelia we love and turns her into a young girl going to school for the first time. In a picture book format, Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School will get young readers excited about starting school as all of the great parts of school-making new friends, having her own desk, going to recess--are highlighted throughout the book.

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing. Picture book author Wing has many "night before" books based on the classic Twas the Night Before Christmas. Kids will enjoy the rhyming format of this starting school book as it highlights all of the awesome things about kindergarten, while still including the difficult parts such as having to leave mom and dad.

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. This is a great book to prepare kids for the first day of school because it reminds children that they are not alone in experiencing something new. Sarah refuses to get out of bed for the first day of school. She simply does not want to go to this new school. Eventually she drags herself out of bed and makes it to school where readers find a surprise: is Sarah a student, or perhaps someone else in the school?

The first day of school can be a scary and anxious time for children. Help prepare them for the big event with these books perfect to prepare children for the first day of kindergarten.