Picture Books to Share About the First Time at School!

UPDATED 7/31/2023

Starting school for the first time is especially nerve-wracking for the toddler or preschooler set.

Whether they are starting preschool, kindergarten or any other grade, returning to school can seem to be daunting to a kid.

To ease the transition, you can try the following picture books that will help with various issues.

The following titles have all been published within the past few years!

What Happens at School?

The 12 Days of Preschool, book cover
The Queen of Kindergarten, book cover
Mila Wants to Go to School, book cover
School is Cool, book cover


Dealing with the Butterflies

Butterflies on the First Day of School, book cover
What If?, book cover
Gibberish, book cover
Hattie Harmony Worry Detective, book cover
Bitsy Bat School Star, book cover
Bear With Me, book cover


People You Will See at School (Teachers and Friends)

I Love My Teacher, book cover
Kindergarten Hat, book cover
Let's Play!, book cover
David Jumps in, book cover


Going Through Many Obstacles to Get to School

My First Day, book cover

My First Day by Phung Nguyen Quang, Illustrated by Kim Lien Huynh

Last, but not least, I wanted to end this list with a truly beautiful book that will hopefully foster thinking about how hard it is to go to school for other kids.

A young Vietnamese boy goes on an epic journey through the Mekong Delta.  He proceeds through raging white waters, rain, jungle, and passes various animal denizens.

The boy soon sees other kids and parents as they make their way to, wait for it, school!

When your child sees how much the boy endured, your child will surely see that going to school isn't so hard!