Starting or Going Back to School? There’s A Book About That…
Every summer since becoming a Youth Services Librarian, I have balanced my excitement of the Summer Reading Program with the search for new and captivating picture books about starting or going back to school. While children are still having fun in the sun, I’m planning a school-themed story time for some of our young patrons who will “graduate” from library story time and start pre-k or kindergarten in the fall.
The topic of starting – or going back to – school is always interesting. It is filled with excitement, anticipation, and worry about the new and unexpected. And what do you do when faced with something new? Turn to a book! I’m a big believer in using books to help guide us through new experiences and emotions.
Luckily all these feelings and experiences have been captured by creative authors and illustrators throughout the years. There are a variety of picture books in the Mercer County Library System that are great tools to use when discussing SCHOOL with your young child.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
The topic of starting – or going back to – school is always interesting. It is filled with excitement, anticipation, and worry about the new and unexpected. And what do you do when faced with something new? Turn to a book! I’m a big believer in using books to help guide us through new experiences and emotions.
Luckily all these feelings and experiences have been captured by creative authors and illustrators throughout the years. There are a variety of picture books in the Mercer County Library System that are great tools to use when discussing SCHOOL with your young child.
This well-loved series opener shows kindergarten teacher, Miss Bindergarten (a Border Collie), getting her classroom ready while her 26 animal students (one for every letter of the alphabet) get themselves ready, too.
The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
This story is told as a poem loosely in the vein of the classic ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Instead of dreaming of sugar plums, children dream of crayons and glue! The familiar bedtime and morning routines are shown while the characters also discuss their worries and thoughts about the first day of kindergarten.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems
That feisty blue pigeon is back and he thinks he knows it all. He doesn’t want to go to school because it is too new. What if the teacher doesn’t like pigeons? Shouldn’t there be a place where you can learn and practice school readiness? And just how does a pigeon get to school anyway?
Readers meet Rosie, the pre-school tour guide, in this brightly illustrated book about pre-school. Rosie shows kids the different parts of a pre-school classroom and provides helpful tips for caregivers. This title is available as a picture book and board book.
Additionally, a new picture book titled Henry at Home by Megan Maynor focuses on the feelings and experiences of Henry, the younger sibling who stays home while his older sister goes off to kindergarten for the first time. Henry and Liza used to do everything together, now Liza is off to school without him.
Some other great titles:
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
When Chester the raccoon is reluctant to go to kindergarten for the first time, his mother teaches him a secret way to carry her love with him.
Some other great titles:
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
When Chester the raccoon is reluctant to go to kindergarten for the first time, his mother teaches him a secret way to carry her love with him.
Llama Llama misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama experiences separation anxiety on his first day of nursery school.
Llama Llama experiences separation anxiety on his first day of nursery school.
The little school bus by Margery Cuyler
A happy little school bus and Driver Bob wake up early to pick up children, drop them off at school, then head to the garage for some minor repairs.
Time for school, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
Join Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as he hunts for his homework in this comic getting-ready-for-school adventure!
How do dinosaurs go to school? by Jane Yolen
Everyone's favorite dinosaurs are back--and this time they are going to school. More fun dinosaur antics await. These prehistoric pupils are in a class of their own!
Whatever you choose to read, I hope you and your child have a great school year!
Whatever you choose to read, I hope you and your child have a great school year!
-Miss Liz, Hightstown Memorial Branch
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