When you can truly relate to a character or a story, a book can help you understand more about yourself and the world. Picture books are a wonderful way for little ones to identify and process their thoughts and feelings. When children relate to a character or a story, a book can help them learn about themselves, their feelings, and the world around them. Starting a new school or joining a new preschool classroom can create so many emotions in your preschooler. One way to process these feelings is by reading a related and helpful book together. That’s why we’ve created this list to share 10 of our favorite children’s books to help your child transition and prepare for a wonderful school year!
1. Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Just like your little one, Llama Llama is heading to his first day of preschool! This book takes your child through the process of preparing for the days ahead, meeting teachers, seeing classmates, and looking around the classroom. But Llama Llama has one major concern: Will his mom return? Of course! But we know how the first-day jitters can be. This story is a great way to show your child that being nervous is normal, and they have so much to look forward to at school.
2. Rosie Goes to Preschool by Karen Katz
Rosie is ready to go to preschool, and she’s done everything she can to prepare. She knows where her cubby is, who her teacher is, and where to find the snack table. This book’s reassuring language and calming drawings share the excitement of starting school while helping to calm any first-day butterflies that your little one may be feeling.
3. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
If you’ve never read The Invisible String, it’s sure to be your child’s new favorite book. A string holds all of us together. Though that sounds impossible, the string is made of love—it’s unbreakable and you can feel it deep in your heart that you’re connected to those you love. The story reassures your little one that you’re always connected to them, no matter where they are.
4. The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing
We’ve all been there—the night before something big is about to happen. Our thoughts are racing and can keep us awake, thinking through the possibilities of what’s to come. But in this particular book, Billy finds that he’s too nervous to sleep. What he’s about to find out, though, is that after he goes to school, he can’t sleep the next night either because he’s so excited to go back and see his friends.
5. Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool (Pete the Cat) by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Pete the Kitty is on his way to his first day of preschool! Your child will love helping Pete prepare for what’s ahead. Pete meets his teacher, sings some fun songs, and gets to paint. It turns out that preschool is really fun. Cheer Pete on as he embarks on this new journey.
6. Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick
Bye-Bye can be a big deal for toddlers as they prepare to leave their parents for the school day. This Toddler ToolsⓇ book helps preschoolers ease into the feelings they have about a new transition. Through rituals like kissing, hugging, and waving, your child will gain the confidence to take on the day, knowing that you’ll be waiting for them at pick-up time.
7. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
Author of If You give a Mouse a Cookie is back with another adventure for the mouse: his first day of school. It turns out that if you take a mouse to school…he’ll ask for your lunchbox, a sandwich, a notebook, pencils, and a backpack. While this book is geared a little more toward older students and early elementary school, this fun story will quickly be a favorite first-day-of-school ritual for many years.
8. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
This beautifully written and illustrated story is about a mother raccoon comforting her young raccoon by kissing its paw. Your child will enjoy the calming, reassuring tons of the book as they prepare to go to preschool.
9. Ming Goes to School by Dierdre Sullivan
Follow Ming through a day of adventures at her new school, meeting new friends, building sandcastles, and playing pretend. She’s fearless with most everything, except for the big red slide. You and your child will encourage Ming as she works up the courage she needs to take on the slide with confidence.
10. School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
It’s the first day of school, and the school itself is feeling first-day jitters, wondering if the children will like him or if they’ll be nice. After a bit of a rough start, he sees that everyone is having a great time and looking forward to coming back to learn and play.
We’re ready for a new school year!
We are so excited for our TGS students and the learning adventures our teachers have planned. Our students’ joy is priceless as we help them to play and learn and grow. It’s with great excitement that we celebrate the start of a new school year and get ready for lots of fun and smiles. To learn more about enrollment, or to request a tour of a TGS in your neighborhood, contact us! We’re happy to answer your questions.
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