Books about Starting School

The lists below include some of the best picture books about starting school. Descriptions are included to help you with your selections. Titles that have links provide access to the library catalogue where each book record shows the number of copies held by the Library and their status.

Backpacks and Bookmarks: Ten Stories about School (JP BACKP)

A collection of ten stories expressing the ups and downs of school days, including "Leon the Leopard Goes to School," "On the Way to School," and "Today in the Lunchroom They Had ...."

Ballard, Robin. My Day, Your Day (JP BALLA)

Children have a busy day at day care while their parents have a busy day at work.

Bowen, Anne. How Did You Grow So Big, So Soon? (JP BOWEN)

The night before his first day at school, a mother and son recount other new experiences he has had, such as his first words and first steps, and celebrate his growth and accomplishments.

Child, Lauren. I Am Absolutely Too Small for School (JP CHILD)

When Lola is worried about starting school, her older brother Charlie reassures her.

Couric, Katie. The Brand New Kid (JP COURI)

A story that will appeal to readers of all ages, "The Brand New Kid" introduces two little girls who show true compassion when a not-so-ordinary boy joins their classroom. This book contains a winning combination of whimsical illustrations, a well-told story, and a vital message.

De Paola, Tomie. Meet the Barkers: Morgan and Moffit Go to School (JP DEPAO)

The Barker twins, Morgan and Moffat, are excited about starting school for the first time. While Moffie knows colors and gets a gold star, Morgie makes a friend. Morgie then helps Moffie make a friend, and earns a gold star for himself by knowing the names of dinosaurs.

Edwards, Julie. Dumpy at School (JP EDWAR)

It's Charlie's first day of school. It's a first day for Dumpy the Dump Truck, too--he's going to his first job away from Merryhill Farm, building a new playground at the school. Both are worried about being accepted in a new place, but they soon learn they have something special.

Henkes, Kevin. Wemberly Worried (JP HENKE)

A mouse named Wemberly, who worries about everything, finds that she has a whole list of things to worry about when she faces the first day of nursery school. Henkes speaks directly to the heart of worriers everywhere in this universal story about making friends and growing up.

Middleton, Charlotte. Enrico Starts School (JP MIDDL)

Enrico the cat starts school, but at first he doesn't know how to make friends.

Millman, Isaac. Moses Goes to School (JP MILLM)

Moses and his friends enjoy the first day of school at their special school for the deaf and hard of hearing where they use sign language to talk to each other. At the end of the book is a favorite song, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame, " in sign.

Rockwell, Anne. Welcome to Kindergarten (JP ROCKW)

Young readers can join Tom as he visits his future kindergarten classroom and learns what he will be doing during his first year of school.

Taulbert, Clifton. Little Cliff's First Day of School (JP TAULB)

Little Cliff's family is getting ready for his first day of school--all except Little Cliff. He's doesn't want to go to school, especially if it means leaving behind toys, home, and family. Good thing his Mama Pearl will make sure he gets to school on time.

Tanner, Suzy-Jane. Tinyflock Nursery School (JP TANNE)

Young Baabaara, a lamb, has trouble adjusting to her first day at Tinyflock Nursery School. Another lamb inadvertently knocks her down and her yogurt spills, inspiring the refrain, "I want to go home!" But things do improve as the day progresses.

Thompson, Lauren. Mouse's First Day of School (JP THOMP)

When he goes to school, Mouse finds a world of new objects and new friends.

Wells, Rosemary. Timothy Goes to School (JP WELLS)

Timothy learns about being accepted and making friends during the first week of his first year at school.

Willis, Jeanne. Be Quiet, Parrot (JP WILLI)

On Parrot's first day of school, he learns a lesson about talking too much.

Wing, Natasha. The Night before Kindergarten (JP WING)

Colourful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic Clement C. Moore Christmas poem as excited kids prepare for the first day of kindergarten.