Children’s Books About Starting School That’ll Lessen Their Worries

It’s difficult for children to express all of their fears when it comes to starting school. These books can help navigate these tumultuous emotions. Children’s books about starting school can ease the tensions of those first days.

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If you love introducing new concepts with books, here’s a great way to introduce the concept of going to school.

This may mean daycare, preschool, or Kindergarten.

If you read a book quite a few times, your child will be able to begin processing this event and it may lead to:

• less resistance
• less fear and anxiety
• less power struggles and transition issues

How can books help you prepare kids for school?

Books are a great way to introduce topics to kids, allow their feelings to come, and help them process what’s to come. Chilldren are not great with “all of a sudden” type of things.

And going to school is a big thang!

• Books introduce topics without it being personal.
• These books are written specifically for kids starting school to help give examples to show a child how to handle things.
• Because of that, it introduces tools and tips to a child previously unknown.
• Gives a great opportunity for y’all to have a productive conversation!

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Books about Starting School for Pre-K & Kindergarten

Do you feel like you should do more than just talk about school with your child starting Pre-K or Kindergarten?

Reading a great children’s book can help you know what to talk about, how to prepare them, and ease some of their anxieties.

• A Letter From Your Teacher – I recommend reading this book to your little one if they are nervous about meeting their teacher for the first time. Students are given the message that their new teacher is someone they will get to form a special bond with. Their teacher is not only there to help them academically, but also to cheer them on, and to provide a caring, safe environment for them to learn and grow.
• Pencils on Strike – This book is super cute! It also teaches respect to all people and things. It’s a book with hilarious rhymes and lessons about starting school.
• The Berenstain Bears Go to School – I have always loved reading the Bear cubs stories to my kids. There’s always a great moral to the story. This book is about Sister Bear and her fears of staring Kindergarten.
• Superheroes LOVE Staring School – This flip-the-tab book is great for the Pre-K level in particular. It is a great introduction to school time activities.

More Books for The Primary Years

• Daniel Goes to School – If you’re like me and love Daniel Tiger, you’ll enjoy reading this one to your kiddos. Daniel is worried about going to school without his dad. He is scared and has to overcome his fear of being without him.
• Curious George’s First Day of School – A children’s classic for sure. It is a bit outdated, but still enjoyable and George is quite the character because he has a lot to learn.
• Time for School, Little Blue Truck – This adorable story is more about friendship and helping others than learning how school works.
• Kindergarten, Here I Come! – This Kindergarten book goes through the main events of a typical Kindergarten year. It’s great for getting your child excited about what they will experience throughout their school year.
• CoComelon Ready for School – Kids these days love CoComelon. In this story, you get to go along with JJ as he experiences his first day of Pre-K.

Books to Ease the Stress of Changing Schools (for Elementary Aged Kids)

Major changes like switching schools take bravery. This transition may affect your little one more than you realize.

These books are designed to help them navigate through these tough emotions so they can accomplish their first days of school with courage.

• Waffles the Chicken Classroom Jitters – In this creatively written story, Waffles has to experience a new environment with social stressors. The content and lessons learned here are easily digestible for elementary aged kids and can aid with school transitions.
• Benny the Brave in The First Day Jitters – In this story, the main character is the boy who helps our a new friend who is scared of a new school. Its point of view is one of compassion and understanding. As Benny helps his new friend through her fist day of school, she begins to realize that she doesn’t have that much to be worry about after all.
• The Pigeon HAS to Go to School – Pigeon is worried about so much. He is even worried about learning too much. This book has a way of easing some stresses about starting a new school.
• The Day You Begin – Starting over in a new place can be stressful, especially if you’re worried about being different. This sweet story tells of a character who is brave enough to go anyway.

Books about Starting School Based on Grade Level

Pick a book based on your kid’s grade level.

What a fun way to introduce the new year to them. I have found that some great conversational starters happen when reading specifically for your child’s upcoming event.

• The Night Before First Grade – Start first grade HERO style with this book. Penny is able to encourage her friends and have a wonderful first day of school.
• Second Grade, Here I Come – This poem and sticker book is sure to engage your little one in some laughs and memories to be made this year.
• How Not to Start Third Grade – Will should be excited about staring third grade, but he is worried that nothing will be the same.
• Who’s Afraid of Fourth Grade? – At first Kate is excited about fourth grade, but then the worries kick in. How will she cope with these fears?

• Surviving 5th Grade – This humorous story tells of the trouble and adventures a group of fifth grade students get themselves into.
• Middle School Matters – This book addresses the 10 key skills kids need to know in order to thrive in middle school.
• The High School Survival Guide – This book is the roadmap to everything you need to know about studying, socializing, and succeeding in high school.