Books to Have at Home For Kids in Kindergarten
20 Books to Have at Home or in the Classroom For Kindergarteners
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Whether your kid is going to Kindergarten in person, virtually, or is being homeschooled, reading with your newly minted elementary schooler is a great way to keep them engaged and learning without them even fully realising. We've rounded up a bunch of books that either have to do with being in Kindergarten, highlight both educational and social-emotional skills and concepts they'll learn this school year, or are just fun reads for kids in the 4-6 age range.
Keep scrolling to see our picks and to shop them for your Kindergartener's bookshelf.
1 I Like Myself!
What It's About: "High on energy and imagination, this ode to self-esteem encourages kids to appreciate everything about themselves--inside and out. Messy hair? Beaver breath? So what! Here's a little girl who knows what really matters."
2 The Word Collector
What It's About: "In this extraordinary new tale from Peter H. Reynolds, Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him -- short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower."
3 AlphaOops!: The Day Z Went First
What It's About: "It's chaos! It's pandemonium! And it's definitely not as easy as A-B-C! Filled with visually humourous details, Bob Kolar's colourful illustrations are the perfect foil for Alethea Kontis's snappy story about the comic confusion that comes when the letters of the alphabet, like a class of unruly children, step out of order and show that each one has a mind of its own."
4 Jabari Jumps
What It's About: "Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he's a great jumper, so he's not scared at all. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, newcomer Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encourageing father and a determined little boy you can't help but root for."
5 One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller
What It's About: "One hungry fox with two sly eyes is on the prowl...three plump hens had better watch out! Rich and colourful illustrations plunge the reader into a dramatic and exciting story set in a moonlit farmyard. With something different to count on each page, learning to count from one to ten has never been so thrilling! This surprisingly simple counting book with a gripping tale, great for early education and read-alouds, has a hugely satisfying ending that's sure to delight generations."
6 All Are Welcome
What It's About: "Discover a school where--no matter what--young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated. Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other's traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be."
7 Izzy Gizmo
What It's About: "Izzy Gizmo's inventions are marvelous, magnificent . . . and often malfunction. But when she finds a crow with a broken wing, she has to help! Izzy tries again and again to build a new pair of wings, but nothing is working. Can Izzy overcome her failures? Or is her friend destined to live as a crow who can't fly?"
Izzy Gizmo by Pip Jones ($17)
8 I Do Not Like Books Anymore!
What It's About: "Natalie and Alphonse REALLY like books. Picture books with Dad, scary stories with Mom, and especially stories they remember or make up themselves. So when it's time for Natalie to learn to read, she thinks it will be exciting -- she can have all the stories in the world now, and even read them to Alphonse. But when Natalie gets her first reading book, the letters look like squiggles and it isn't even a good story; it's just about a cat that can sit. 'I do not like books anymore!' Natalie declares. But she still wants to make up stories. With Alphonse's help, can she find a way to turn a love of telling stories into a love of reading stories? With her one-of-a-kind voice and wonderfully droll artwork, Daisy Hirst captures the familiar frustration of struggling to learn something new -- and the particular pride that comes when you finally succeed."
9 Pink Is for Boys
What It's About: "Pink is for boys . . . and girls . . . and everyone! This timely and beautiful picture book rethinks and reframes the stereotypical blue/pink gender binary and empowers kids-and their grown-ups-to express themselves in every colour of the rainbow. Featuring a diverse group of relatable characters, Pink Is for Boys invites and encourages girls and boys to enjoy what they love to do, whether it's racing cars and playing baseball, or loving unicorns and dressing up. Vibrant illustrations help children learn and identify the myriad colours that surround them every day, from the orange of a popsicle, to the green of a grassy field, all the way up to the wonder of a multicolored rainbow."
10 The King of Kindergarten
What It's About: "Starting kindergarten is a big milestone--and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements--and then wake up to start another day."
11 The Rabbit Listened
What It's About: "When something sad happens, Taylor doesn't know where to turn. All the animals are sure they have the answer. The chicken wants to talk it out, but Taylor doesn't feel like chatting. The bear thinks Taylor should get angry, but that's not quite right either. One by one, the animals try to tell Taylor how to act, and one by one they fail to offer comfort. Then the rabbit arrives. All the rabbit does is listen . . . which is just what Taylor needs."
12 Do Not Lick This Book
What It's About: "Min is a microbe. She is small. Very small.
In fact, so small that you'd need to look through a microscope to see her. Or you can simply open this book and take Min on an adventure to amazing places she's never seen before--like the icy glaciers of your tooth or the twisted, tangled jungle of your shirt."
13 Boo Who?
What It's About: "Boo is new. And even if the other kids are welcoming, it can be scary being new, especially for a shy ghost who can't play any of their games. ('You tagged me? Oh, sorry. I couldn't feel it.') Can Boo find a way to fit in and make friends with the rest of the group?"
Boo Who? by Ben Clanton ($15)
14 We Don't Eat Our Classmates
What It's About: "It's the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can't wait to meet her classmates. But it's hard to make human friends when they're so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all."
15 A Busy Creature's Day Eating!
What It's About: "Mo Willems delivers a smorgasbord of hunger, hubris, regret, and redemption as a Busy Creature hilariously chomps and chews its way from A to P and then to Z."
16 Clifford Goes to Kindergarten
What It's About: "Clifford joins Emily Elizabeth for her first day of kindergarten! Emily Elizabeth is nervous about making new friends and missing home. But with Clifford by her side in class to sing songs and play games, Emily Elizabeth learns how much fun kindergarten can be!
This perennial back-to-school favourite is finally in jacketed hardcover and makes the perfect gift!"
17 One Big Pair of Underwear
What It's About: "What's one thing that two bears, three yaks, four goats, and six cats have in common? They hate to share. But look out--here comes a pack of twenty pigs ready to prove that sharing makes everything twice as fun!"
18 All Welcome Here
What It's About: "The first day of school and all its excitement, challenges, and yes, anxieties, are celebrated here in connected haiku poems. A diverse cast of characters all start--and finish--their first days of school, and have experiences that all children will relate to."
19 The Night Before Kindergarten
What It's About: "It's the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all--saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won't be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is! Colourful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic Clement C. Moore Christmas poem."
20 Kindergarten Hat
What It's About: "Carlos Abredo loves building forts, playing football, vrooming cars, and gardening. But after moving to a new town, he's nervous to start his first day of kindergarten. What if the bus gets lost? What if he can't make friends? What if he can't find his teacher? Starting school can be intimidating for anyone, but when you're also the new kid, it can be downright scary.
When Carlos gets a letter from his new teacher, he starts to feel a little better. He picks out a gift for her, and after a much-needed hug from Mom, he sets off for his first day. But when his present is accidentally ruined, will Carlos be able to salvage his first day of school?"
