Getting Ready for School:
A Kindergarten Reading list
Prepared by Gail Borchers, Library Media Specialist,
Schenk Elementary School, Madison, WI
Here are some old favorites and some new ones too. You and
your child may enjoy reading these selections for the first time
or already consider them great favorites.
Anno, Mary. ANNO’S ALPHABET
This alphabet book continues to be popular among children and adults.
Brown, Margaret Wise. RUNAWAY BUNNY
A mother’s love for her little bunny prevails.
Carle, Eric. THE MIXED UP CHAMELEON
A fun way to review color names.
Crew, Donald. FREIGHT TRAIN
Watch the train move across the pages. Read and add your own sound effects.
Cousins, Lucy. THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED AND OTHER NURSERY
RHYMES These bold, colorful pictures will delight you and your child as you chant
these familiar nursery rhymes.
Ehlert, Lois. COLOR ZOO
This Wisconsin author and illustrator uses an original way to introduce colors and shapes
to young children. Have fun creating your own zoo animals.
Ehlert, Lois. EATING THE ALPHABET: FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Enjoy some great reading and great eating this summer.
Galdone, Paul. THE LITTLE RED HEN
Will the animals learn their lesson from the red hen?
Henkes, Kevin. OWEN
Growing up can be difficult at times. You and your child may see yourself in this
thoughtful book by a Madison, WI author.
Heo, Yumi. ONE SUNDAY MORNING
Join Minho and his father on a pleasant Sunday morning outing.
Hoban, Tana. 26 LETTERS AND 99 CENTS
You’ll be singing the alphabet and counting your change with this book.
Keats, Ezra Jacks. THE SNOWY DAY
When the weather gets hot and steamy this summer, this Caldecott Award winning book
will turn your thoughts toward winter. It’s worth reading again and again.
Lionni, Leo. SWIMMY
Read this one and then go on to read Leo Lionni’s other fine books.
Martin Jr., Bill. BROWN BEAR BROWN BEAR WHAT DO YOU SEE?
You’ll want to read this book again and again.
Mora, Pat. A BIRTHDAY BASKET FOR TIA
With the help of her mother and her cat, Cecilia prepares a special surprise for her greataunt’s ninetieth birthday.
Potter, Beatrix. THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT
A true classic! You will find all Beatrix Potter’s stories delightful.
Raschka, Chris. YO! YES?
You’ll find this book an amusing one about making new friends.
Rey, H.A. CURIOUS GEORGE
You can’t just read one of this series! Read them all.
Schwartz, Amy. ANNABELLE SWIFT, KINDERGARTNER
Annabelle’s first day of kindergarten is a success, thanks to her big sister, Lucy.
Sendak, Maurice. WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Children really get into this book!
Slate, Joseph. MISS BINDERGARTEN GETS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN
Miss Bindergarten along with 26 students from Adam Alligator to Zach Zebra get ready
for kindergarten.
Taback, Simms. THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY
An award-winning author illustrates this folk poem with so much to see. Don’t miss
Taback’s Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, a Caldecott Medal winner.
Walters, Virginia. ARE WE THERE YET, DADDY?
Children are famous for asking, “ are we there yet?” You and your child may identify
with the father and son as they travel by car to grandmother’s house.
Williams, Vera B. “MORE, MORE, MORE,” SAID THE BABY
Don’t miss these three love stories.