9 First-Day-of-School Books to Banish Jitters

The first day of school is a huge milestone for kids…but it is not one that all children embrace with open arms. Beginning nursery or reception can be a little scary. That is where these first-day-of-school books come into play! These first-day-of-school books are designed to give little ones a sense of what to expect and ease their nerves (and calm Mum or Dad’s first-day jitters, too!).

For tots who are heading to school for the first time, we hope these first-day-of-school books get them excited for the year to come! 

The King of Kindergarten, by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

If you want to pump your little one up for the first day of school, there is no better role model than the confident hero of this book! 'The King of Kindergarten' takes on this big milestone with gusto—leaping into new experiences head-first and quickly winning over the rest of the 'kingdom.' It is a joyful look at the first day of school, whether your kid is starting year 1, like the titular king, or is still in reception year or playschool.

Llama Llama Misses Mama, by Anna Dewdney

Is your little one leaving Mum or Dad for the first time? This story about Llama Llama’s first day of playschool will totally resonate. It is a great way to address your child's school worries and separation woes.

The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

For toddlers who are apprehensive about walking into a new school where they may feel different from their classmates this book is here to help them find courage.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, by Ryan T. Higgins

What happens when a hungry T-rex starts school…but her classmates are all tasty-looking humans? Kids find out in this laugh-out-loud tale! 

Butterflies on the First Day of School, by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Dream Chen

It is the first day of school, and Rosie has butterflies in her belly…and this imaginative tale takes that figure of speech literally! As Rosie warms up to the idea of school and makes new friends, the butterflies roiling in her tummy flit away one by one, leaving her feeling totally comfortable and confident by the end of the day.    

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!, by Mo Willems

Kids’ favourite back-talking bird is at it again! Now, it is time for Pigeon to go to school—but he does not want to…until he comes to realise that school is exactly where he wants to be. This story addresses apprehensions with silliness and sass.

School’s First Day of School, by Alex Ross, illustrated by Christian Robinson

This book flips the whole first-day-of-school-nerves theme on its head and presents the first-day experience through the eyes of…the school itself! For little ones who have never attended school before, it is a nice introduction to all of a school’s fun features…from the story circle rug to the playground to the walls decked-out in student art. 

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff

In this rollicking rhyming story Miss Bindergarten is gearing up for the first day of school, where she will meet her 26 new students. Oh, and each student’s name starts with a different letter of the alphabet, making it a fun way to prep for the school year and brush up on A-B-C’s. 

Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous: A First-Day-of-School Dilemma, by Keith Calabrese, illustrated by Juana Medina

Lena starts year 1 today, and she has picked out all her favourite clothes for the occasion…there is just one little hiccup. Lena’s shoes are nervous! But by the end of the book, they remember how to be brave, so Lena and her shoes can have fabulous first day.

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