Look for a starting-preschool book that’s positive with a light mood and features some of your children’s favorite interests or characters. These combined can help quell your child’s anxieties about heading to preschool. We carefully considered age appropriateness, positive messages, engaging storylines, and book format when reviewing products. Here are our top picks for books about starting preschool. The pictures are bright, colorful, and cheerful, and the rhyming text is simple but gets the message across clearly—preschool is a great place to be and you are really going to like it here. Price at time of publication: $30 When he starts school for real, things go much better, but a surprise ending is sure to make everyone smile. Froggy is a relatable character, and his nerves and worries will hit home with young children. “Froggy Goes to School” is a lighthearted look at the first day of school written by Jonathan London and illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. Price at time of publication: $8 There’s a lot going on in the classroom, so she hangs back a bit. But after a while, she can’t help but get involved with the painting, dancing, and singing that the other children are doing. Price at time of publication: $8 This book features a main character who is confident and happy about going to school and sets a good example right from the start. Price at time of publication: $8 Reassuring and fact-based, the book is written in a question-and-answer format and features a central character, Angus the Answer Dog, who addresses basic queries about starting school, including what a teacher does and what you can find in a preschool classroom. Price at time of publication: $6 Owen’s mom tells him how she will “love him all day long” while they are apart as he makes new friends and even waits in line for the bathroom. For kids who experience separation anxiety, “I Love You All Day Long” does a good job of reassuring little ones that the love of a parent is always present. Price at time of publication: $8 A nice, basic look at a preschool classroom, it simply describes through words and pictures what kids can expect. Price at time of publication: $11 Featuring kids with and without disabilities, it’s a great way to introduce diversity to your child on a simple level. Price at time of publication: $8 But for some children, it’s the teacher who contributes to starting preschool anxiety. “My Teacher’s My Friend” by P. K. Hallinan explains the role of the preschool teacher and how she helps kids learn lots of important things while having fun. Price at time of publication: $46
Engaging Storylines
Oftentimes, books about preschool feature characters that your child might already like. It’s helpful for them to recognize characters they know going through a similar situation. If the characters aren’t familiar, look for other similarities between them and your child. Maybe they both love dinosaurs or the color purple, or have a pet cat. Also look for books with colorful illustrations or photography to help keep your child engaged in the story.
Age-Appropriateness
By definition, books on this topic should be written for kids your child’s age, even though they might start preschool anywhere between ages 2 and 5. You’re looking for books that are developmentally and emotionally appropriate for your child, and written in language that is clear and appealing.
