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 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 borrowed from Libby before, Libby directions and a Libby video tutorial are available, as well as OverDrive Support.
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 the Library’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.
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.
Play!
Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit one of our StoryWalks®. Stroll through a park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Or Skip. Or gallop!
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 College Avenue – Babies
- Date & Time: Friday, May 15, 10:30am
- Location: College Avenue Branch
- Description: Mother Goose is on the loose! Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays, and fun! Each session is followed by playtime just for babies.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Tales ‘n Play Storytime at Central Library
- Date & Time: Friday, May 15, 11:00am
- Location: Central Library
- Description: Stop in for some stories, music, and fun! Children ages 0-5 and their caregivers are invited to join Kid Central for a storytime! Afterward, all are welcome to stay for some open playtime.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Superhero Storytime at Irvington – Babies & Toddlers
- Date & Time: Saturday, May 16, 10:30am
- Location: Irvington Branch
- Description: Join us for a special superhero-themed storytime to kick off IndyPL Fanfest! Babies and toddlers, birth through age 3, with an adult, are invited to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, movement, and more. It’s a great way to introduce little ones to a lifelong love of reading. No registration is required.
- No Registration Required.
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.
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.
