Stories for Starting School

Picture Books

A Bad Case of Stripes
by David Shannon
An allegorical story on the importance of being yourself.

Chrysanthemum
by Kevin Henkes
A young mouse is singled out by classmates because of her unusual name.

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
by Kevin Henkes
Aspiring teacher Lilly brings a little too much enthusiasm and something else to class.

Wemberly Worried
by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly worries about many things, from what to wear for Halloween to her doll Petal, until she begins preschool and makes a special friend.

The Kissing Hand
by Audrey Penn
A young raccoon's mother presents him with a special gift to keep her close as he starts school.

Miss Nelson Is Missing
by Harry Allard
Naughty students get a nightmarish substitute teacher in this humorous tale of teacher appreciation

What Teachers Can't Do
by Douglas Wood
What teachers a like from a young dinosaurs perspective.

Mommy in My Pocket
by Carole Hunt Senderak
A little bunny imagines a school day with her mother shrunk to pocket size.

Juvenile Books


Ramona the Pest
by Beverly Cleary
Ramona begins kindergarten and meets new friends, including a girl with "boing-boing" curls and a boy she would like to kiss.

Lucy Rose, Here's the Thing About Me
by Katy Kelly
8 year old Lucy Rose moves to Capitol Hill with her mother, visits nearby grandparents, Madam and Pop, makes new friends and has an adventure with the class pet.