Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    5 Reassuring Picture Books for New Kindergarteners and the Back-to-School Crew

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze6 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Best Kids Stories Picture Books Social Emotional
    5-Reassuring-Picture-Books-for-New-Kindergarteners-and-the-Back-to-School-Crew
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review | August 7, 2019

    Do you have a young student getting ready to start preschool or kindergarten? Do you have a nervous first grader? Or maybe your child’s back-to-school jitters are fueling your own adult anxiety? Sitting for a story together not only provides time for connection and conversation, but also allows for opportunity to explore the unknown from a safe distance. When we see characters in stories overcome challenges or face down their fears with gentle bravery and perseverance, it can give us the strength to do just the same. The following picture books, all in their own unique way, provide reassurance—and leave it to Mo Willems’ Pigeon to bring some humor to the theme! These books are confidence boosters—especially for children that may be reluctant to try new things.

    Book The King of KindergartenThe King of Kindergarten

    Written by Derrick Barnes

    Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

    Publisher’s Synopsis: A New York Times betseller! A confident little boy takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, by the Newbery Honor-winning author of Crown.

    The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets. It sits and shines behind your head–like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten!

    Starting kindergarten is a big milestone–and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He’s dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can’t wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he’s up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can’t wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements–and then wake up to start another day.

    Newbery Honor-winning author Derrick Barnes’s empowering story will give new kindergarteners a reassuring confidence boost, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s illustrations exude joy.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Audible | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books | July 2, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1524740740

    Butterflies on the First Day of SchoolButterflies on the First Day of School

    Written by Annie Silvestro

    Illustrated by Dream Chen

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Rosie can’t wait to start kindergarten—she’s had her pencils sharpened and her backpack ready for weeks. But suddenly, on the night before the big day, her tummy hurts. Rosie’s mom reassures her that it’s just butterflies in her belly, and she’ll feel better soon. Much to Rosie’s surprise, when she says hello to a new friend on the bus, a butterfly flies out of her mouth! As the day goes on, Rosie frees all her butterflies, and even helps another shy student let go of hers, too.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books | May 7, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1454921196

    Truman by Jean ReidyTruman

    Written by Jean Reidy

    Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

    Publisher’s Synopsis: After his best friend Sarah leaves for her first day of school, a tortoise named Truman goes on an adventure across the living room and learns to be brave in this thoughtful and heartwarming twist on a first experience story.

    Truman the tortoise lives with his Sarah, high above the taxis and the trash trucks and the number eleven bus, which travels south. He never worries about the world below…until one day, when Sarah straps on a big backpack and does something Truman has never seen before. She boards the bus!

    Truman waits for her to return.
    He waits.
    And waits.
    And waits.
    And when he can wait no longer, he knows what he must do.

    Even if it seems…impossible!

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers | July 9, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1534416642

    The Pigeon HAS to Go to SchoolThe Pigeon Has to Go to School

    Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!

    Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-7 | Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children | July 2, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1368046459

    Little Larry Goes to SchoolLittle Larry Goes to School: The True Story of a Timid Chimpanzee Who Learned to Reach New Heights

    Written by Gerry Ellis with Mary Rand Hess

    Publisher’s Synopsis: A young, orphaned chimpanzee must start at a new school, where he will learn how to climb and build his confidence. Stunning photographs from award-winning photographer Gerry Ellis are sure to captivate young readers and raise awareness about chimps and the threats they face.

    Little Larry is an orphaned chimpanzee who doesn’t know much about being a chimp. He has to go to his first day at the forest school to learn what chimp life is all about. Nestled in a primate sanctuary in Cameroon, Little Larry and his group of chimp friends go to the school each day to learn how to play, communicate, and climb like they would if they were chimps in the wild. The only trouble is, Little Larry doesn’t want to learn how to climb. He’s perfectly happy on the ground. Will the sanctuary keepers and other chimpanzees be able to teach Little Larry how to climb so he can graduate from forest school?

    This sweet story, with its beautiful photographs, explores the challenges of going to school, learning, and gaining confidence in yourself. This is a perfect read-aloud tale for children reluctant to try new things, preparing to enter kindergarten, or starting preschool for the very first time.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books | February 26, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1426333163

    Back-to-School Tip

    Essential OilsOur bonus nurturing tip is that we love the new “Nervous & Anxious”essential oil roll-on that Oilogic gifted us—safe to use on ages 2 and up. It’s a special blend for calming nerves, it smells so good, and we’ve noticed that just the experience of rolling it on necks and wrists is a lovely way to reset. There’s also an “Attention & Focus” blend! Here’s a link to their Back-to-School Bundle: https://www.oilogiccare.com/products/mother-nature-back-to-school-bundle.

    Feel free to share in the comments section below, your own tips and favorite books for reassuring young students!

    The article 5 Reassuring Picture Books for New Kindergarteners and the Back-to-School Crew was curated by Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Back-To-School, Kindergarten, Picture Books, and School Life.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Best New Picture Books | February 2017
    2. 34 of the Best Picture Books of 2019, so Far
    3. The Best Picture Books of 2019
    4. Best Selling Picture Books | August 2020

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Annie Silvestro Atheneum Books for Young Readers Back-to-School Derrick Barnes Dream Chen Gerry Ellis Hyperion Books for Children Jean Reidy Kindergarten Lucy Ruth Cummins Mary Rand Hess Mo willems Nancy Paulsen Books National Geographic Children's Books Picture Books School School Life Sterling Children's Books Vanessa Brantley-Newton
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleWhen a Monster Moves into Your Washing Machine
    Next Article If I Built a School, by Chris Van Dusen | Book Spotlight
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • 5 Award-Winning Teen Audiobooks for Ages 12 and Up
    • The Chubby Bubbies: Trip to the Museum | Dedicated Review
    • Flora and the Jazzers, by Astrid Sheckels | Dedicated Review
    • SCREECH: His Hunt for a Home | Dedicated Review
    • Interview with P. E. Shadrick, Author of ‘Elephants DO Forget’
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.