Do you have a little one making their way to preschool for the first time?  Or, heck, it’s been a long summer — do you have a little one who’s ready to go back, and needs a reminder about what their days will look like in the fall?  Do you also like saving money? Then these are the picture books you’re going to want to run (not walk!) to place on hold at the library for your next storytime with the kiddos.  They’re librarian approved! *waves*

Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube

Okay, so some kids are super excited about bouquets of newly sharpened pencils, backpacks stuffed full of assignments, new friends to make, and…….some kids are not.  School can trigger some pretty hefty anxiety in kids, and it’s understandable! It’s a big thing, there are so many variables, and sometimes the big unknown is just that: big, and unknown.  Just like parenting, really, when you get right down to it. If your child is one of the less-enthused children when it comes to getting in that back-to-school mode, this might be just the book for your next bedtime snuggle.  

Hello school! By Priscilla Burris

My family is diverse, so having a diverse picture book about school is a must.  This book delivers, and is cute to boot! Win all around!

Lena’s Shoes are Nervous : A First-Day-of-School Dilemma by Keith Calabrese

Speaking of being a little nervous, maybe your kiddo isn’t the LEAST bit worried.  Or maybe they are. 😉 Another great one for calming some jitters, this book has the added (I think) benefit of being about nervous *shoes* and not a nervous child, allowing a young reader a little space from being the center of the nervous topic.

Click, Clack, Quack to School! by Doreen Cronin

You’ve clicked, you’ve clacked, you’ve quacked, you’ve mooed, now it’s time to do it all over again…while going back to school!

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

Little Llama gets his first taste of school in this classic Lllama Llama book from Anna Dewdney.  My daughter begs me to read this book so often year-round that by the end, she’s reciting the words right along with me.  What better way to head off to school than with a little Llama Llama courage? Pair it with Llama Llama Loves to Read for your up-and-coming bookworms!

Kindergarrrten Bus by Mike Ornstein

It’s another bus, but this is no ordinary bus!  If your house is obsessed with all things pirate, you’ll want to set sail for this book.  Your kiddo will be in ship-shape preparedness mode for school by the end!

On the first day of first grade by Tish Rabe

There are some days I look forward to sending my daughter off to first grade, and other days when I think, nope, my baby is never allowed to leave my arms.  But, when that day inevitably comes, I might read her Tish Rabe’s book all about starting “big kid” (*sniffle* MY BABY) school.