Hawaiʻi State
Public Library System

Posted on: July 31, 2023 | Category: Uncategorized

It’s back to school time! We want to ensure that your keiki is prepared for their first day of preschool or kindergarten. This can be a scary time for your child; and our collection of library books and digital resources will provide you with information on how to make this transition less stressful. All you need is a library card to borrow materials or use our online databases.

Online Databases:

• Scholastic Teachables (Grades K-8): Features over 25,000 printable activity sheets, mini-books, educational crafts, and more!

Books:

• The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
  Instilled with confidence by his parents, a young boy has a great first day of kindergarten.  The companion title is The Queen of Kindergarten.
• And Then Comes School by Tom Brenner
  Joyful anticipation is in the air as a child observes cues that the first day of school is coming soon.
• The Buddy Bench by Patty Brozo
  Having seen children being left out on the school playground, Miss Mellon’s students convince her to let them build a buddy bench where their classmates can wait for a friend or buddy to meet.
• My Teacher is a Monster! (no, I am Not) by Peter Brown
  Bobby thinks his teacher, Ms. Kirby, is horrible, but when he sees her outside of school and they spend a day in the park together, he discovers she might not be so bad after all.
• Lena’s Shoes are Nervous: A First-Day-of-School Dilemma by Keith Calabrese
  Lena is excited about starting kindergarten but her favorite shoes are not. With the help of her father and a very special headband, she convinces the shoes – and herself – to be brave.
• It’s Time for Preschool by Esmé Raji Codell
  What will new preschoolers and their parents encounter on their first day?  This friendly, inviting picture book provides answers in great detail.
• Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool by Kim Dean
  Pete the Kitty has his first day of preschool, where he meets the teacher, sings fun songs, and paints a picture.
• Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dew
  Llama Llama isn’t ready for summer vacation to end.  He’s anxious about his first day back to school, but maybe with some help from his friends and Mama, going back to school will be fun after all.
• Rosie Goes to Preschool by Karen Katz
  Rosie is prepared for preschool and introduces readers to her cubby, teacher, reading circle, music class, and lunch table.
• Danby Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim
  Danby is thrilled to start her new school in America, but a bit nervous too.  With a spark of imagination, she makes up a new game and leads her classmates in a parade to remember.
• Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
  Pete the Cat wears his school shoes when visiting the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and more while singing his special song.
• Tomatoes in my Lunchbox by Constanita Manoli
  A young girl feels out of place on her first day of school in a new country until she discovers that it only takes one friend to make her new surroundings feel like home.
• Lola Goes to School by Anna McQuinn
  Lola meets new friends and tries many new things on her fun and busy first day of school.
• A Small Kindness by Stacy McAnulty
  A small act of kindness spreads throughout a community of kids and teachers, providing a sweet message about all the small ways one can be kind.
• All are Welcome by Alexandria Penfold
  Illustrations and simple rhyming text introduce a school where diversity is celebrated and songs, stories, and talents are shared.
• Kindergarten Diary by Antoinette Portis
  Annalina’s diary entries reflect her feelings and experiences as she goes from being afraid to go to kindergarten to loving it during her first month of school.
• How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan
  Students give tips and tricks for getting a teacher ready for the first day of school and all the events and milestones that will follow.
• School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
  It’s the first day of school at the new Frederick Douglass Elementary, and everyone is a little bit nervous, especially the school itself.
• First Day of School by Anne F. Rockwell
  Mrs. Madoff’s students compare notes about getting ready for the first day of school after summer vacation.
• Time for School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
  Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are excited to meet a bright yellow school bus on the road.
• Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
  A nervous Splat finds his first day at Cat school much better than he expected.
• I Got the School Spirit by Connie Shofield-Morrison
  This cheerful and energetic story depicts a young girl preparing for and embracing school spirit on her first day of school.
• This is a School by John Schu
  A salute to the school community and the positive role it plays in kids’ lives. Everyone is welcome to look, listen, ask, learn, share, help, and grow.
• If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen
  Imaginative Jack describes the kind of school he would build – one full of animals, with tubes to transport students directly to their classrooms, and library books that come alive.
• Gib-ber-ish by Young Vo
  When Dat starts school in a country where he does not speak the language, everything around him sounds like gibberish, until a new friend helps him make sense of his new world.
• On the Night Before Kindergarten by Rosemary Wells
  The night before he starts kindergarten, Milo’s dreams are full of worry, but after a fun first day of school, Milo decides that he likes kindergarten.
• The Pigeon has to go to School by Mo Willems
  The pigeon must go to school but he frets about learning math, the alphabet, heavy backpacks, and what the teacher and the other birds will think of him.
• How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen
  A fun story that demonstrates to the preschool and kindergarten set how not to act, but then closes with quick demonstrations of proper school behavior.

If you need assistance in obtaining any of these books, contact your local library.