10 First Day of Preschool Books That Make the First Week Easier

Oh, how my teacher heart LOVES a good book! ❤️ After years of teaching preschool, I’ve learned that the right read aloud can make those first few days of circle time a whole lot easier.

Reading stories is why I got into teaching. I’m passionate about making read alouds fun, engaging, and doable for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

So which books made the cut for my must-have first day of preschool books?

Let me tell you, it was way harder than I thought to narrow it down to just ten!

There were so many preschool storytime books I wanted to include, but these are the first day of preschool books I rely on to set the tone every single year.

They’re short, silly, easy to interact with, and perfect for helping kids feel excited about school.

If you’re looking for a simple preschool books list with short, funny preschool books and easy preschool books to read aloud, these are the first day of preschool books I come back to every year.

Here’s my go-to list of preschool books for September that I revisit again and again.

Quick Answer: Best First Day of Preschool Books

The best first day of preschool books are short, silly, interactive, and easy for kids to join in with movement, songs, repetition, or funny moments.

One of my favorite first day of preschool books is The Watermelon Seed because it’s quick, hilarious, and gets kids acting out the story right away.

Keep reading to see the full list of 10 teacher-tested read alouds for the first week — and scroll down to see which book made my #1 spot.

Why These Back to School Books Work for Preschoolers

During the first week of school, I want my preschoolers to see just how fun our classroom is going to be.

For those first few read alouds, I look for books that are:

• Short

• Silly

• Easy to act out

• Perfect for movement and interaction

  
  

I know a lot of teachers love reading The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn during the first week, and I completely get why. It’s sweet, comforting, and such a classic back to school book.

But for my first few preschool read alouds, I usually keep things light. The Kissing Hand is sweet, but it’s a little long for those first few days. I’ve had better luck starting with silly, interactive books that get kids laughing, moving, and joining in.

When a teacher asks me for a good book for first day of preschool, I always recommend something short, silly, and interactive instead of something long or emotional.

Your preschool read alouds don’t have to be about “school” to work well at the beginning of the year.

Some of the best first day of school books for preschool are simply engaging, playful, and easy for kids to jump into right away. Bonus points if you can turn them into quick first day of preschool activities with movement, songs, or silly actions.

Below, you’ll find my favorite first day of preschool books, plus simple movement ideas to help preschoolers laugh, move, and join in.

10 First Day of Preschool Books for the First Week of School

Here are my recommended preschool books for September. These are the favorite preschool books that always make the cut — short, silly, and guaranteed to get kids giggling!

10. The Wheels on the Bus: A Read-along Sing-along Trip to the Zoo

Jeanne Willis and Adam Stower

Best for: song-based circle time, movement, and animal actions

This one is a hit from day one. It builds on a song your students already know, and the animal theme makes it even better! Pretend to be animals as you squish, squash, and snap along with the story. It’s an easy win to kick off your first week with fun.

9. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Bill Martin, Jr., John Archambault, and Lois Ehlert

Best for: letter awareness, movement, and early literacy

This one is so easy to make interactive. Just hand each child a foam, plastic, or paper letter and have them creep it up their arm like the coconut tree. When the letters crash, let them drop! It adds movement, keeps kids involved, and sneaks in letter awareness right away.

Need an easy activity to go with this book? My free Chicka Chicka letters-in-my-name activity pairs perfectly with this read aloud.

8. I Need a Hug

Aaron Blabey

Best for: empathy, connection, and gentle first-week feelings

This porcupine just wants a little love — but nobody wants to get poked! Let your class run in place as each character runs off, then pretend to give Porcupine and Snake a big hug at the end. Funny and sweet with just the right amount of silly.

7. Don't Push the Button!

Bill Cotter

Best for: interactive read alouds, participation, and big laughs

There's a reason the cover of this book is worn and haggard in my classroom. Between my own kids and my school kids, it's been read a million times! 🤣 This one grabs attention fast and gets everyone involved right away.

6. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Eric Litwin and James Dean

Best for: counting, rhythm, music, and movement

This one is an instant mood booster. Every time the “my buttons, my buttons” part comes up, I have my kids stand up from their circle spot so we can dance and sing the lines together. We clap when a button pops off and spin our hands when it rolls away, so the whole book feels like a quick little movement break.

If you need an easy activity to go with this book, these editable button-themed name pages are a fun way to work in name recognition and fine motor practice.

5. We Don't Eat Our Classmates

Ryan T. Higgins

Best for: friendship, classroom expectations, and feelings

A nervous little dinosaur who keeps eating her classmates? Preschool comedy gold. I usually wait a few days before reading this one, but once we've settled in, it quickly becomes a class favorite. My kids love using their best teacher voice to help Penelope Rex remember to spit her classmates back out!

4. The Pigeon Has to Go to School!

Mo Willems

Best for: first-day nerves, school worries, and silly discussion

Mo Willems is one of my absolute favorite children's authors, and this book never disappoints. Pigeon has a lot of concerns about starting school, and preschoolers love every minute of it. The exaggerated worries lead to great discussions and lots of laughs.

3. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

Eric Litwin and James Dean

Best for: singing, movement, confidence, and class participation

Yes, Pete made the list twice — but for good reason! This one is perfect for singing, movement, and building confidence. Get your kiddos up and moving... stomp on those strawberries and blueberries, then jump in those mud puddles! It's interactive, predictable, and always a preschool favorite.

2. The Watermelon Seed

Greg Pizzoli

Best for: giggles, dramatic storytelling, and quick engagement

Crocodile swallows a watermelon seed and completely freaks out. My students love pretending they swallowed a seed too. We get very dramatic and let out a huge BUUUUUUUURRRRP at the end. This one always gets the biggest laughs.

1. Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs

Eric Litwin and Tom Lichtenheld

Best for: first-day fun, music, movement, and classroom energy

This is my number one first day of preschool book — hands down. It's musical, energetic, and ends in a doggy ice cream dance party. The story is simple, the repetition is engaging, and every year my preschoolers are completely hooked. It's the perfect way to kick off the first week of school.

Frequently Asked Questions About First Day of Preschool Books

What makes a good book for first day of preschool?

A good book for first day of preschool should be short, engaging, and easy for kids to interact with. I look for books with movement, repetition, songs, or silly moments because they give preschoolers an easy way to join in.

Should first day of school books for preschool be about school?

Nope! Some of the best first day of school books for preschool aren't actually about school at all. During the first week, I care more about helping kids laugh, participate, and connect than matching the book perfectly to a school theme.

How many books should I read on the first day of preschool?

I usually choose one or two short preschool read alouds for the first day. The first day is busy, and one engaging book is often more effective than trying to squeeze in a whole stack of stories.

What are the best preschool books to read aloud during the first week?

The best preschool books to read aloud during the first week are usually short books with repetition, music, movement, or humor. I look for books that give kids a way to join in, even if they're feeling nervous or shy.

Can I turn these books into first day of preschool activities?

Absolutely! Many of these books naturally lend themselves to movement and participation. Act like the animals in The Wheels on the Bus, move letters with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, or sing and dance along with Pete the Cat. Simple activities like these help preschoolers stay engaged and connected during the first week.

Keep Your First Week Simple

The first week of preschool does not need to be packed with complicated crafts, perfect lessons, or a million activities.

A few short, silly books, simple routines, and lots of chances to laugh together can go a long way.

These first day of preschool books are some of my favorite ways to help kids feel comfortable, connected, and excited to come back the next day.

Once your read alouds are planned, name practice is one of the easiest routines to build into your first week.

If you're looking for simple, hands-on ideas, you may also like:

➡️ Easy Name Activities for Preschool and PreK

It's full of low-prep name activities you can use for morning work, small groups, centers, or the beginning of the year.