In The King of Kindergarten, a little boy’s parents encourage him and fill him with confidence in the time leading up to his first day of school. He can be the King of it, even if he doesn’t know everything yet! “It sounds like a lot, but you’re the King of Kindergarten. Piece. Of. Cake.” This joyful attitude about how to welcome new experiences helps him have a great first day of kindergarten! The parents in The King of Kindergarten help by passing on the excitement of learning and the perspective that even if something is difficult at first – there will be a classroom of friends and a teacher to learn with. Learning will be fun! You can listen to The King of Kindergarten right now, read by Alvin Irby from Barbershop Books. Its starting school storytime online!
Talk!
After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.
- What did the boy eat for breakfast? What is your favorite breakfast?
- What did the boy in the story do that was very brave?
- How was the boy going to get to school?
- What did the father use to measure how tall the boy was?
Read!
Another great idea to get ready for the first day of school is reading books about other kids and favorite characters who are ALSO worried about the first day of school. Stories featuring the Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Curious George and more can help your child practice what it might feel like to be anxious about school and learn great strategies for having fun instead!
Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about starting school at any of our locations, or check out e-books and audiobooks about starting school from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.
Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories about starting school right now! It’s starting school storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.
Kindergarten Jitters – More Books to Check Out
Starting school for the first time can be scary or overwhelming! Covering topics from leaving parents and siblings at home, to riding the school bus, to meeting new classmates and eating lunch in the cafeteria, these picture books help new students understand what to expect on their first day, and teach them to cope with nervousness or anxiety.
Sing!
This sing-a-long will help you get excited to go to school! Watch Marshall, Skye, Chase, Blaze, Shimmer and Shine, Molly, Gil, Bot, and Geo reimagined as fuzzy felt friends singing about school.
Write!
Find a pencil or pen, some crayons or markers to color a school picture, practice writing the letters , or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.
- Starting School with Mr. Rogers and Daniel Tiger
- Back-to-School Checklist from PBS Kids
- Big Bird Back to School Printable
- Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes Printable Coloring Page
- Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes Printable Maze
- Junie B. Jones If I Ruled the School Printable
- Get Ready for School with Rocket Printable Activity Kit
- Bot’s First Day of School Printable Activity Pack
- Danial Tiger Classroom Helpers Online Game
Play!
Here are nine classic preschool games your new student is bound to play at school. Give them a heads up by pre-playing some of these crowd pleasers together!
Join Us for In-Person Storytime!
- Event: Storytime at West Perry – Babies and Toddlers
- Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 10:15am
- Location: West Perry Branch
- Description: Children ages 0-2 and a caregiver are invited for a story, songs, rhymes, and activities designed with our littlest patrons in mind!
- No Registration Required.
- Event: All Ages Sensory Friendly Storytime at Fort Ben
- Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 10:30am
- Location: Fort Ben Branch
- Description: Everyone is welcome to join us for songs, stories, and crafts followed by sensory playtime.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Storytime at Spades Park
- Date & Time: Thursday, November 21, 10:30am
- Location: Spades Park Branch
- Description: Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and an adult are invited to join us for stories and more every Thursday in the Community Room followed by socialization time for children and caregivers.
- No Registration Required.
Need Help?
Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.
