Back to School Books for Pre-Schoolers

Is your little one going to school for the first time? Or are they just not looking forward to the end of summer? Well I've got a bunch of books that will help smooth the transition and get them (hopfully) excited about school. A lot of these have familiar characters like Curious George and the Berenstein Bears. If your child has a favorite character, check to see if there's a back to school book featuring that character. Kids are natural imitators, so if they see a beloved character loves school, they might be more willing to give it a chance. 

How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? - This is the fourth dinosaur book by Jane Yolen. These are adorable rhyming stories where dinosaurs do things they kids do. In this one, the dinosaurs are heading to school. What sort of mischief will they get in along the way?
Llama Llama Misses Mama - Poor Llama Llama. He is excited for his first day of school until he realizes that his mama is going to leave him there. Will she ever come back for him he worries? I love Llama Llama so this one is my personal favorite off this list. 
The Berenstain Bears Go to School - Sister Bear is scared on her first day of school. Brother Bear tries to get her excited by telling her all of the great things that happen at school. Soon she's ready to go! There is also The Berenstein Bears Go Back to School, but I haven't read that one. I'm sure it is great though.
Chrysanthemum - Chrysanthemum is a little mouse with a big name. She loves her name until she goes to her first day of school and discovers that her name is different from everyone else's. She is afraid she doesn't fit in, until the meet a music teacher with another very special name. 
Back to School, Splat! - Splat's homework on the very first day of school is to remember the most exciting thing that he did over the summer. What do you think it was? You'll be surprised! This is a great one for siblings to share. 
Curious George's First Day of School - Follow George as he becomes a teacher's assistant for a day. He tries his best, but as usual gets things into a bit of a mess. Your kids will learn about primary colors and what happens when certain colors mix. It also has a few activities at the end. 
How I Spent My Summer Vacation  - Help your little one to remember what they did over their summer vacation while exploring Wallace's adventure out West. 

Amelia Bedelia Goes Back to School - This is a super cute lift-the-tabs book following one of my favorite characters, Amelia Bedelia. See what happens when she's told to "take her seat" or "paint anything she wants". Uhoh. 

David Goes To School - David is still as high-octane as ever, but now he's got a new teacher and boy is she in for it. We know that David means well, but see what sort of craziness he causes in the classroom. 

If You Take a Mouse to School - The Mouse from If You Take a Mouse to the Movies is back, but this time he is heading to school. See what happens when he decides to write a story, eat lunch, even washing his hands turns into an adventure! 
Back to School Tortoise - Tortoise has a lot of worries on the first day of school. He is very surprised to find that his day doesn't turn out nearly as horrible as he thought it would. 
Mouse's First Day of School - Go along with Mouse as he discovers all the fun people and things to learn that you can only find at school! 
I Am NOT Going to School Today! - Hank is so worried about preschool that he decides that he is just going to skip the very first day. He soon discovers with the help of his favorite stuffed animal that he has nothing to be afraid of.
I Am Not Going To Get Up Today!  - I sincerely hope that this isn't the first time you've heard of this book. It is one of my sister and I's favorites from when we were kids. A boy decides he is not going to get up that day. The entire town is shocked. They soon call in the Marines and everything else they can think of to get him up. Will it work?
What to Expect at Preschool - This cute book is a question and answer format. Each page has a question your child might be worried about like "Will my parents leave me there?" and then an answer that is truthful, but will help them figure out exactly what is going to happen. It sounds clinical, but it isn't. It's a very gentle sweet book that I really like.
Maisy Goes to Preschool - Maisy the mouse shares her very exciting day at school from hanging up her jacket to recess to waiting to be picked up.
Back-to-School Rules - Percy has ten rules that will help you become head of your class. He's got lots of tips to help you have fun while staying out of trouble. (For a slightly more advanced reader, 5 and up.)
Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes - Pete the Cat discovers that school is more than just a classroom. There's also a lunchroom, a library, even a playground. Pete is still the coolest cat around, he's just got some new territory. Pin It