6 Picture Books to Hype Your Kids for Kindergarten

On the Way to Kindergarten, by Virginia L. Kroll and Elisabeth Schlossberg
The clever rhymes in this book are addressed to a five-year-old bear who is all suited up with his backpack and lunchbox, ready for his first day of kindergarten. Kroll reminds him of all the milestones he’s already passed and the skills he’s already accomplished, from when he was one and “pulled yourself up/And drank all your juice from your red sippy cup,” to when he was three and “pedaled your tricycle, caught your first ball.” After all that, kindergarten should be a snap.

Countdown to Kindergarten, by Allison McGhee and Harry Bliss
What is kindergarten like? The problem is, before a kid’s first day there, they really have no idea, so misapprehensions can run rampant. In this funny story, illustrated graphic-novel style by Harry Bliss, a little girl worries because kindergarten will start in ten days, and she hasn’t learned to tie her shoes yet. From what she understands, “You’re not allowed to ask for help. Ever.” So she tries to learn to tie her shoes, and when that fails, tries to ditch her shoes and shoelaces so she won’t have to go to school. Of course, she finds out kindergarten is a friendly place even for the most shoelace-challenged kids.

Planet Kindergarten: 100 Days in Orbit, by Sue Ganz-Schmitt and Shane Prigmore
This follow-up to the delightful Planet Kindergarten finds the kindernauts in orbit on their 100th day, when they’re already well versed in many interstellar survival tactics, such as “What to do when duty calls.” (Ask for the bathroom pass, of course!) All the kindernauts have brought in projects involving 100 objects for their 100th day of kindergarten, and are ready to face “day 101 and beyond.”

Kindergarten Rocks, by Katie Davis
Dexter Dugan is sure he’s ready for kindergarten. His big sister has already been to kindergarten, and she assures him that kindergarten “rocks.” But his blue stuffed dog Rufus is “an eensy teensy beensy bit scared about kindergarten.” Although according to Dex, Rufus is worried they’ll get lost on the way to school, that the teacher will be mean, or that the whole place might smell funny, Dex soon learns that yeah, kindergarten rocks!

Wemberly Worried, by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly the mouse has some creative worries. What if she shrinks? What if that crack in the wall gets bigger and something comes out of it? (Wemberly’s parents better not let her watch Stranger Things.) Although Wemberly is a habitual worrier, she has never faced an impending worry as grand as the start of kindergarten. Luckily, she’s allowed to bring her stuffed rabbit, she makes a new friend right away, and learns that school is one thing she definitely doesn’t have to worry about.

The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn
What if all your best kindergarten hype techniques fall flat? This sweet classic, featuring a weeping raccoon named Chester who just doesn’t want to go to school, might do the trick. Mrs. Raccoon kisses Chester right in the center of his palm, and tells him, “Whenever you feel lonely and need a little loving from home, just press your hand to your cheek and think, ‘Mommy loves you.'” Chester takes his mom’s advice, and feels brave and loved as he heads off to school.