There are several ways to get your tiny one ready for preschool. One of those ways is through the introduction of topic appropriate books and through gently incorporating preschool into your daily routine. Our list of Ten Best Back to {Pre} School Books include workbooks, books that spark discussion, and preschool books from our favorite characters. As a bonus, we included a preschool favorite, Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom! Preschool teachers have devoted entire lessons around this one amazing book. If you haven’t read Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom! yet, you must do it soon!
How are you getting your tiny one ready for preschool?
Big Preschool Workbook
This Big Preschool Workbook combines popular 32-page School Zone workbooks into one convenient 320-page volume. Child-friendly exercises and full-color illustrations make learning fun. Use Big Workbooks to reinforce or review grade-level skills or prepare for the upcoming school year. Contents include: Same or Different, Mazes, Does It Belong, Uppercase Alphabet, Lowercase Alphabet, Thinking Skills, Preschool Basics, and Preschool Scholar. (Ages: 3-5 | 320 Pages)
Preschool Practice Scissor Skills
School Zone Little Hand Helper Workbooks provide a fun-filled introduction to important readiness skills. Each workbook is carefully designed and reviewed by teachers to promote your child’s early learning success. Cut & Paste offers a variety of exercises that will help your child practice scissor skills and other readiness basics such as story order, counting, matching, and beginning sounds. The interesting activities with clear directions will provide hours of educational fun for your child. Plus, the colorful award stickers will enhance your child’s learning adventure. (Ages: 3-5 | 32 Pages and 68 Stickers | Dimensions: 11×8.5in)
Teeth Are Not for Biting
“Crunch crunch crunch. Teeth are strong and sharp. Crunch crunch crunch. Teeth can help you chew. But teeth are not for biting. Ouch! Biting hurts.” Sooner or later, almost all young children will bite someone—a friend, a parent, a sibling. This upbeat, colorful, virtually indestructible book helps prevent biting and teaches positive alternatives.
Hands Are Not for Hitting
It’s never too soon for children to learn that violence is never okay, hands can do many good things, and everyone is capable of positive, loving actions. In this bright, inviting, durable board book, simple words and full-color illustrations teach these important concepts in ways even very young children can understand. Created in response to requests from parents, preschool teachers, and childcare providers, this book belongs everywhere young children are. Includes tips for parents and caregivers.
Bye-Bye Time
Being dropped off at childcare or cared for by a baby-sitter means saying good-bye to Mom or Dad—and for many toddlers, bye-bye is a big deal. This gentle book helps ease the transition with simple rituals: hugs and kisses, a big wave, a deep breath, and the confidence to seek comfort with the new caregiver or other children. Toddlers learn that good-bye isn’t forever, it’s just for a while.
Maisy Goes to Preschool
Preschool for Maisy means a day filled with friends and things to do, from the time she hangs her coat on a special peg to the time she says good-bye. There’s painting and snack time, stories and nap time (and a bathroom break in between). Soon everyone’s ready to haul out the instruments and make some noise, then head outside for a turn at the sandbox or slide. In a bright, full-size storybook full of familiar scenes, this child-friendly look at a day in the life of a preschooler is one that newcomers and seasoned pros alike will be happy to share.
Curious George’s First Day of School
It’s the first day of school, and Curious George has been invited to Mr. Apple’s class to be a special helper! George is just the right monkey for the job—until he starts to wreak his usual havoc, that is. Red and yellow paint makes orange, yellow and blue makes green . . . and a mixture of all the paint colors makes a big mess! Curious George and the First Day of School is a story based on H. A. and Margret Rey’s popular primate and painted in the original watercolor and charcoal style.
The Night Before Preschool
It’s the night before preschool, and a little boy named Billy is so nervous he can’t fall asleep. The friends he makes the next day at school give him a reason not to sleep the next night, either: he’s too excited about going back! The book’s simple rhyming text and sweet illustrations will soothe any child’s fears about the first day of school.
It’s Time for Preschool!
Esmé Raji Codell and Sue Ramá introduce very young children—and their parents and caregivers—to the world of preschool in this cheerful and welcoming book that is guaranteed to make the first day (and every day) a bit less scary and a lot more fun!
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
A told B, and B told C, I’ll meet you at the top of the coconut tree. ~ In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the cocunut tree. Will there be enough room? Oh, no – Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom! The well-known authors of Barn Dance and Knots on a Counting Rope have created a rhythmic alphabet chant that rolls along on waves of fun. Lois Ehlert’s rainbow of bright, bold, cheerful colors makes the merry parade of letters unforgettable.
Are you ready for back to school shopping yet? Let Mom Does Reviews help you select the best products for your little ones. Visit our 2014-15 Back to School Product Guide for all the latest products and info!