Books to Calm Those Kindergarten Jitters

No matter how old we get, starting something new feels unnerving. Even as an adult, the first day on at a new job can give us butterflies. The same is true for your kindergartener. Adjusting to the first few weeks at school is a big deal.

We wrote a really helpful blog about kindergarten jitters. It even links to Scholastic’s top 10 recommended books for new students. But today we want to freshen up that list with a few more books on the topic. They’re all written to help you and your budding student with practical ways to work through their jitters.

Wiggles, Stomps, and Squeezes Calm My Jitters Down by Lindsey Rowe Parker
This book is geared toward children with sensory differences, but the concepts are great for everybody.

Kindergarten, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg
Light and funny poems that tackle the day-to-day milestones of kindergarten.

The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi
Some of our biggest worries are wrapped up in the future, what hasn’t happened just “yet.” This rhyming book helps kids see with new eyes and turn a negative into a positive.

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared to start her new school… but she quickly learns there’s nothing to be afraid of. A delightful story with a surprise ending.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
Our hearts are always connected to the people we love by an invisible string — even when we’re apart.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
We all know what it feels like to walk into a room and wonder if we belong. This sweet book reminds us to be brave even if we feel like an outsider.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Experts recommend giving your child a small token to carry with them and keeping a matching one for yourself, as a physical reminder you’re connected throughout the day apart. “The Kissing Hand” is centered on this same, sweet concept.