Children's Library Books & Resources: Back-to-School

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

Timothy is going to school for the very first time and he couldn't be more excited.Until he meets Claude -- perfect Claude -- who is not only the smartest and the best at everything, but who also wears all the right clothes and has all the friends. Timothy can't stand it. Before long he's ready to quit forever.But then Violet comes along, and Timothy discovers that a true friend and a little laughter are just the cure for those less-than-perfect blues.Now with all new illustrations, Rosemary Wells's endearing story of kindergarten is sure to ring true with any child about to take on a new experience.

Strange new teacher. Strange new toys. Lots of kids and lots of noise! What would Llama like to do? Llama Llama feels so new . . . It's Llama Llama's first day of preschool! And Llama Llama's mama makes sure he's ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it's time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn't so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back? Of course she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be! Activities for Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney Watch a Video

This rhyming, brightly illustrated book is the perfect way to practice the alphabet and to introduce young children to kindergarten. It's the first day of kindergarten and Miss Bindergarten is hard at work getting the classroom ready for her twenty-six new students. Meanwhile, Adam Krupp wakes up, Brenda Heath brushes her teeth, and Christopher Beaker finds his sneaker. Miss Bindergarten puts the finishing touches on the room just in time, and the students arrive. Now the fun can begin! "Multifaceted and appealing, this book can be enjoyed in many ways, at home and at school." --The New York Times Book Review For readers of Kindergarten, Here I Come and The Night Before Kindergarten.

Nancy Carlson's reassuring picture book about getting ready for kindergarten is now available in a Spanish-English edition-and to a whole new audience of young children. The simple, comforting text and big, bright illustrations will ease first-day-of-school jitters and help make the early days of kindergarten exciting and fun.