By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 14, 2012
September is just a few short weeks away and children going into kindergarten will enter a whole new realm that is really quite different from Pre-K or daycare settings. And because young children are highly observant, it’s important to prepare yourself so that you can face your child’s feelings. The following books will help explain the school setting and hopefully clear up any doubts or lingering fears in preparation for the first day of school.
Reading level: Ages 3-6
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: VikingPublishing
What to expect: Preparing for the first day of kindergarten
Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! is a story about Henry’s first day of school. The book sets out the basics of the new routine: waking up in the morning, getting ready, having breakfast, packing supplies and walking to school. Henry is excited and asks what the day will be like—he’s ready for the new class, new friends and new activities but as he gets closer to school he starts to get anxious. And acknowledging fears is essential to preparing the little ones for the challenges ahead. The simple story gets to the heart of the matter and will reassure your young one that kindergarten will be loads of fun.
Reading level: Ages 4-7
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
What to expect: Preparing for school
My School Trip is part of the BOB Books series for budding readers. They are intended to help children love learning how to read. This particular book tells of a trip to the zoo. It sets out the details of how school trips are conducted, establishes that school trips are educational and are also lots of fun. Budding readers can sound out words and will be able to decipher words based on the simple illustrations and story.
By Harry Bliss
Reading level: Ages 3 to 6
Hardcover: 30 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
What to expect: School trips, following the rules
In Bailey at the Museum, we meet adorable Bailey the dog who’s going on a class trip with his schoolmates to the Natural History Museum. Bailey embarks on any number of antics–but his teacher, classmates and one intrepid museum guard help to guide him on his way. He avoids trouble with some help from his friends and by listening to the rules.
Riddles by Jean Marzollo
Reading level: Ages 3-8
Hardcover: 28 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
What to expect: Simple look-and-find activities, preparing for school
I Spy School is part of the Scholastic Readers series that are based on the best research about how children learn to read. The books give readers simple instructions on which objects they spy in each picture. Readers can sound out the text and decipher the riddles with help from the detailed pictures that are included. In addition to helping build a love of reading, this particular I Spy book includes key concepts that can be used to explain school routines—such as spying for supplies and letters. Parents can tease out concepts from the pictures that will explain how school “works”.