In The King of Kindergarten a little boy is encouraged and filled with confidence by his parents in the time leading up to his first day of school. You can be the King of it, even if you don't know everything yet! You can be the King of learning! "It sounds like a lot, but you're the King of Kindergarten. Piece. Of. Cake." This joyful attitude about how to welcome new experiences helps him have a great first day of kindergarten!
The parents in The King of Kindergarten helped by passing on the excitement of learning and the perspective that nothing will be too difficult - there will be a classroom of friends and a teacher to learn with. Learning will be fun! You can listen to The King of Kindergarten right now, read by Alvin Irby from Barbershop Books.
This school year starting school will probably have some extra anxiety in it. Here are some additional resources to help talk to young children about COVID-19 and the important things they need to do to help keep themselves and everyone around them safe.
- IndyPL Parent's Blog: Talking to Kids about COVID-19
- IndyPL Parent's Blog: Read Right Now: Books to Help Kids Master Hand Washing, Masks & Social Distancing
- IndyPL Parent's Blog: 25+ Online e-Books and Video Read Alouds for Kids about COVID-19 (available in multiple languages)
Another great idea to get ready for the first day of school is reading books about other kids and favorite characters who are ALSO worried about the first day of school. Stories featuring the Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Curious George and more can help your child practice what it might feel like to be anxious about school and learn great strategies for having fun instead!
More FREE online stories:
More FREE online reading:
- 100+ Free Video Read Alouds
- e-Book Read Alongs for Kids – free with your IndyPL library card
- Stream Picture Book Videos for Kids – free with your IndyPL library card
- Stream Movies for kids – free with your IndyPL library card
Websites, Printables & Activities:
- KidLitTV: Top 10 Multicultural Picture Books About Back to School
- Starting School with Mr. Rogers and Daniel Tiger
- Printable: Big Bird Back to School
- Printable: Milk Goes to School Word Search
- Printable: Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes Coloring Page
- Printable: Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes Maze
- Printable: Junie B. Jones If I Ruled the School
- Printable: Get Ready for School with Rocket Activity Kit
- Printable: Bot's First Day of School Activity Pack Nick Jr.
Great Back to School Books for Kids
Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books at any of our locations, or check out e-books and e-audiobooks from home right to your device. Need help? Call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or text a librarian at 317 333-6877. #indyplkids IndyPL_RachelJ
We Don't Eat Our Classmates!
This is a funny book about a dinosaur who tries to eat her classmates. But, really, it's about fitting in at a new school and making friends.
School's First Day of School
The school building is nervous about his first day of school. Will the children like him?
Llama Llama Misses Mama
Llama Llama is nervous about starting preschool without his mama. But he soon learns that he will have a great time and see his mama at the end of the day.