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

Sunday Salon

Well it is Sunday, and I haven't posted much about my life lately, so I guess I will give an update on life.

Last week, my cousins Caitlin and Connor came to visit from Colorado. Though they are my cousins, I lived with them in high school, so they consider me more like a sister. Connor kept asking if he was CJ's uncle brother cousin. I told him we weren't from Alabama. (I kid, I kid Alabamians!) They went with CJ to his swim lessons, Connor played video games most of the time (he's 8, so it's understandable), and CJ was obsessed with Caitlin. When their grandparents came to pick them up, CJ said "Nooooooooooo" in the saddest little voice as they drove away. Not going to lie, I balled my eyes out. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I got to keep them for a little while. They are back in Colorado soon and start school next week.

Caity-bear, CJ, and Connor

Speaking of school, I mentioned in May that I was going back to school. Did I forget to let you guys know that I was accepted? Well I was. I am going to be studying for my Master's in Elementary Education. I just registered for classes. I'll start the first week in September. I'm super super excited. I'm taking 3 classes (so far, I might have to add a 4th) : Theories of Thinking and Learning, Intro to Literary Practices for Elementary, and Intro to Special Education. I might have to take a writing course if they offer it online this semester. I'm doing one class online and two in person. Speaking of back to school, don't forget to enter to win a backpack full of eco-friendly school supplies.

Hubby is doing good. He's switching to a weekend baylor position so I can go to school. He's work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Possibly one more day during the week. So CJ will still be home with us. :)

CJ is still a stereotypical two year old. He honestly isn't as bad as others I've seen, but he does have his moments. His favorite word is no. Thanks to my favorite speech therapist for teaching him that. Speaking of speech therapy, I hate it. I really don't like the therapist, and I am thinking of calling to get a new one. She basically said I was a bad mom because I wasn't sending him to preschool at age 3. He's only 2, why is that even coming up right now?! Argh. I could go on a full rant about that but I won't. CJ also had swim lessons this past week. He told the instructor no to everything that she wanted him to do, but he had fun and learned a bit. He learned to make scoops, a kick his feet, and jump off the dock, and blow bubbles to talk to the fish.

I mentioned last week that I'm officially (clinically) considered infertile. Well as an update, I'm on medicine called Provera, which will stimulate my body into having a period. Sorry for the overshare. :) That could be all it takes to kick my body into gear. Here's hoping!

Here on the blog, I got nominated by someone for Best Book Blogger over at Skinny Scoop. Thank you to whoever nominated me, you rock my socks. If you want to vote for me, just go here  and follow the instructions. As far as what I've been reading, I'm in a bit of a slump. Every book I start reading is just really boring to me. I don't know what it is. Hopefully I'll find some good books soon, so I can share them with you all.

So that's life right now. A little hectic and a lot of fun. :) Pin It