Is reading a pre k book aloud to your class in the beginning of the year like playing whack-a-mole? Forget classroom management; everybody keeps popping up wanting to explore. The beginning of the year in pre-k and kindergarten is tough, no matter how prepared you think you may be or how experienced you are. But these back to school books for your pre-k and kindergarten classroom are both fun and educational.
Best First Day of Preschool/Pre-K Books
One trick I have found to be very successful is to keep your read aloud sessions short and sweet by choosing high-quality picture books that are both fun and educational. Reading these types of picture books from the very first day of school and beyond is going to help keep your students interested and engaged for longer periods of time.
Some back to school pre k books may not be the best choices for reading aloud at the beginning of the school year because they may not be the right fit for the ages and attention spans of your students at that time.
My back to school book list here consists of just a few suggestions, I’m sure there are many others that could be included. And don’t forget to check out our Back to School Bundle to make going back to school a breeze!
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Celebrate diversity and inclusion from day 1 with this New York Times Bestselling picture book!
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
Help your students experience a sense of belonging and acceptance with the ultimate read-aloud for building a strong classroom community.
Books About Going to School
How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Monsters Love School, by Mike Austin
Lola Goes to School, by Anna McQuinn
Join adorable Lola for a comforting and cheerful first day of school that will set your little ones minds at ease.
Froggy Goes to School, by Jonathan London
The Night Before Preschool, by Natasha Wing
David Goes to School, by David Shannon
Mouse’s First Day of School, by Lauren Thompson
Books that Rhyme
These back to school pre-k books make the perfect read-alouds the first week of school. It’s super important to choose books that will grab your student’s attention and hold it – especially in the beginning of the school year! Choosing books that rhyme are the perfect choice!
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Generations of young children have adored this timeless classic that’s perfect for the start of the school year in preschool!
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, by Eric Litwin
If there was a music chart for the Preschool crowd, Pete the Cat would surely top this list! The original version of this popular series is a colorful and fun story are set to music that your preschoolers will love! And when you’re done reading , you can have your preschoolers engage in one of these Pete the Cat Activities.
Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, by Eric Litwin
Your kids will love rockin out with Pete in this version specifically about the beginning of the school year.
Llama Llama Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney
Young children relate to the character of little Llama in the various stories in this series. Rhyming text and colorful illustrations paired with meaningful topics such as separation anxiety, sharing, bullying, and tantrums is a recipe for success with the early childhood crowd!
Fun and Engaging Books for the Beginning of the Year
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, by Mo Willems
Mo Willems unique style of writing is short and sweet, yet hilariously funny. Young children everywhere love to “talk” to the pigeon.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late, by Mo Willems
The Pigeon Has to Go to School! by Mo Willems
Press Here, by Herve Tullet
Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas
Please Don’t Read This Book! by Deanna Kizis
The Doghouse, by Jan Thomas
Books About Sharing and Behavior
Mine-o-saur, by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Llama Llama Time to Share, by Anna Dewdney
No, David! by David Shannon
David Gets in Trouble, by David Shannon
Llama Llama and the Bully Goat, by Anna Dewdney
Recess Queen, by Laura Huliska-Beith and Alexis O’Neill
The Crayon Box That Talked, by Shane Derolf
Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes
Howard B Wigglebottom Learns to Listen, by Howard Binkow and Susan F. Cornelison
Too Much Glue, by Jason Lefebvre
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun, by Maria Dismondy
Owl Babies, by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson
Wemberly Worried, by Kevin Henkes
Bear’s New Friend, by Karma Wilson
Your little learners will relate to this sweet tale about bear making a new friend.
Pre-K Books to Read in the Beginning of the Year
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault and Lois Ehlert
The rhyming text in this alphabet book is highly engaging. Young children love to point out “their letter” in the pictures.
I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont
Karen Beaumont’s delightful rhyming text paired with David Catrow’s whimsical illustrations make for the perfect beginning of the year read-aloud that also builds self-esteem. Perfect to pair with an All About Me theme.
You may notice that The Kissing Hand and The Gingerbread Man are missing from my back to school pre k book list. While I feel that these books are good books, I don’t choose to read them at the beginning of the year because they don’t meet the criteria for a beginning of the year read aloud. The best books to read aloud in the beginning of the school year in a preschool or pre-k classroom are those that are short, rhyme, and are interactive.
And if you need more help setting up for the beginning of the year, don’t forget to grab our Back to School Bundle. You will get our behavior management toolkit, plus editable signs, and charts to help you organize and manage your classroom.
More Book Lists from Pre-K Pages
