It’s almost back-to-school time. No matter what school looks like during the 2020-2021 school year, having a grasp on basic skills will be crucial for incoming Kindergartners. Parents can read these books with their child to help brush up their skills—and confidence—before heading into the school year.
Best for Teaching Shapes
Tangled by Anne Miranda
Through a funny narrative about shapes getting stuck in a jungle gym, children learn about a variety of shapes. It includes an introduction to basic shapes (like squares and triangles) as well as more advanced shapes.
Best for Counting
One is a Piñata by Roseanne Greenfield Thong
Learn about world cultures and counting all at once in this brightly-colored picture book. The book names, and then counts, items that are touchstones of Latino culture. Fun and educational!
Best for Learning the Alphabet
The Z was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg
In this classic book, each letter is embroiled in some sort of trouble (the ‘Z’ is zapped by lightning, for example.) The child must guess at what the trouble is before turning the page. The riddle keeps the child engaged in a way most alphabet books cannot.
Best for First-Day-of-School Nerves
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
This soothing picture book shows a diverse classroom of children who, as the book’s refrain points out, are all welcome. The central message of the book will help build confidence.
Best for Fun
Follow the Line to School by Laura Ljungkvist
In order to move from page to page, the child must trace a line that leads from one familiar school setting to another. Not only does this orient the child to the different spaces of a school building, but it also encourages interaction between the child and the book.