If you child will start preschool in a few weeks, now is a great time to start getting them ready. (Check out tips here for how to prepare for preschool.) One helpful thing is read books about what it’s like to go to preschool.

Most Recommended

Hello Preschool by Burris. (video preview) This one is my favorite – a really nice intro to what to expect in preschool that also touches on what’s expected of them (like sitting still and listening during group time.)

Rosie Goes to Preschool by Katz (video) is probably my second favorite – again, just a really clear description of what to expect.

Maisy goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins. (video) This is excellent. Typical cute Maisy illustrations give a really good sense of what a day of preschool is like and what fun activities will be there. If your child won’t have naptime at preschool, skip that page.

Going to School by Civardi and Cartwright. (Video) A nice intro to preschool. It’s a little wordy for a just barely 3 year old, but otherwise quite good.

Preschool Day Hooray! by Strauss and Nakata. (video preview.) A cute book with engaging drawings and rhyming text. Read through it once to enjoy the rhymes, then go through it again and talk in detail about the activities shown, and about what a day at preschool is like.

What to Expect at Preschool by Murkoff and Rader. (Video) A helpful overview of what to expect.

Other Options

Pete the Kitty’s First Day of Preschool by Kimberly and James Dean (video) is cute, but it starts with Pete packing his paintbrush and glue sticks and taking the bus, and I don’t think these things are typical for preschool.

Preschool Here I Come by Steinberg and Joven. (Video.) There’s so much to love about this book – engaging info, good coverage of everything that happens at preschool. But, oh my goodness, too many words for most preschool age children! Each page has almost as many words as you might find in a full book for a three year old. Maybe you could read bits of it in multiple sittings? Daniel Goes to School is also too wordy for most kids this age – though some love wordy books.

The Things I Love about School by Moroney. (video) This is quite nice, but better reflects kindergarten / first grade experience than preschool.

My First Day at Nursery School by Edwards and Flintoft. (video preview). What I love about this book: it does a great job of showing all the activities at preschool and the day’s routine. What makes me hesitant… it has a theme of “there are all these great things at preschool but I don’t want them, I want my mommy!” It has a good resolution, but if your child does not currently have separation issues, I wouldn’t introduce the idea!

On a similar note: Bye Bye Time offers a great strategy for separating when a child is somewhat reluctant, the Kissing Hand is a great book that offers a great goodbye ritual for kids who have a hard time separating, I Love You All Day Long reminds your child that you love them even when you’re not together, and Llama Llama Misses Mama shows how someone who really misses their mama can adapt. But, for all of these, my advice is: if your child is not worried about you leaving them, don’t read books that suggest that they should be! Save these for if and when there’s an issue with separation anxiety.

This is How We Get Ready by DK. So… this book is full of helpful tips, like “lay out your clothes the night before, try to get 10 – 13 hours of sleep, and go to bed at the same time each night.” But this is supposed to be read to a 3 year old??? I don’t think it’s a children’s book, but it does have tips that might be helpful for parents.

Note: the book titles have affiliate links – I do get a small referral fee from Amazon (at no cost to you) if you click on the link and then purchase any item. The video links are to YouTube videos that I used to preview the book – these links are not intended as a replacement for the book but intended just to give a preview. I encourage you to purchase the book or check it out from your library and support great book authors and illustrators.

Be check out Preparing your Child for Preschool for tips on getting them ready to start.

Tip for preschool teachers: consider writing a “social story” to send to your families a few weeks before school to introduce them to all your routines.