First Day of School Storytime – Revised
With the inclusion of Transitional Kindergarten and soon Preschool in most California elementary schools, more very young children are experiencing school for the first time. Do a school-themed storytime, or use these books during a school field trip to the public library in early Fall. For a craft project, make these duct tape pencil pouches: Duct Tape Pencil Pouches (Easy Back to School Craft) • Hip2Save.
Ahiyya, Vera. Kindergarten – Where Kindness Matters Every Day. Leo doesn’t feel ready for school but his classmates have great ideas on making it a kind place.
Barnes, Derrick. Queen of Kindergarten. A small Black girl is confident that she will succeed in kindergarten. Follow-up to King of Kindergarten (2019).
Berg, Esther van den. First Day of School. Robin is hesitant about the first day in forest school but has a great day.
Brown, Carron. Starting School (Shine-a-Light). Use a flashlight to show the hidden pictures in this fun, interactive book about school.
Duncan, Reed. Llama Llama Back to School. Llama Llama is sad summer vacation is over, but he helps a new student Rhino adjust to school rules.
Finison, Carrie. Hurry, Little Tortoise! Time for School! In this story inspired by the fable The Tortoise and the Hare, Little Tortoise hopes to be the first student to arrive at school.
Moyle, Sabrina. School Is Cool! A rhyming story about the first day of school, filled with animals.
Schofield-Morrison, Connie. I Got the School Spirit. A young Black girl is excited about the first day of school, listing many things to look forward to.
Syed, Anoosha. That’s Not My Name! Mirha is frustrated when her new classmates cannot pronounce her name correctly.
Vo, Young. Gibberish. Dat begins school in a new country where he doesn’t speak the language, but a new friend helps him adapt.
Willems, Mo. The Pigeon Has to Go to School! Pigeon is skeptical about the first day of school, voicing concerns many children have in this humorous story.
Penny Peck, San Jose State University iSchool