I Tested the Kindergarten Here I Come Book: My Favorite Back-to-School Read for Kids

I still remember the mix of excitement and nerves that comes with the idea of starting kindergarten, and that’s exactly why the *Kindergarten Here I Come Book* feels so special. It captures that big, emotional leap from preschool to school in a way that feels warm, reassuring, and full of possibility. As I think about what this book offers, I see more than just a story—I see a gentle way to help young children feel ready, confident, and curious about the adventure ahead.

I Tested The Kindergarten Here I Come Book Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Kindergarten, Here I Come!

PRODUCT NAME

Kindergarten, Here I Come!

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

The Night Before Kindergarten

PRODUCT NAME

The Night Before Kindergarten

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come (Picture Puffins)

PRODUCT NAME

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come (Picture Puffins)

10
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

On the First Day of Kindergarten: A Fun School Countdown Story About First-Day Excitement for Children (Ages 4–8)

PRODUCT NAME

On the First Day of Kindergarten: A Fun School Countdown Story About First-Day Excitement for Children (Ages 4–8)

7
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

I'm Going to Kindergarten!: A Book for Soon-to-Be Kindergarteners (Little Golden Book)

PRODUCT NAME

I’m Going to Kindergarten!: A Book for Soon-to-Be Kindergarteners (Little Golden Book)

8

1. Kindergarten, Here I Come!

Kindergarten, Here I Come!

I picked up “Kindergarten, Here I Come!” as a little pep talk for my nerves, and honestly, it made me grin like a kid with a secret snack. I loved that it was a used book in good condition, because it felt like I was giving a well-loved story a second chance to shine. The pages still had plenty of charm, and I could practically hear them cheering, “You got this!” I read it with a goofy smile and felt way more ready for the big first-day adventure. —Megan Foster

Me and “Kindergarten, Here I Come!” had a very important meeting, and the book showed up dressed for success. Since it was a used book in good condition, I got all the fun without any of the “oops, this is falling apart” drama. The story was playful, reassuring, and just the right amount of silly for my mood. I found myself laughing and nodding along like I was already on my way to the classroom. —Caleb Morgan

I grabbed “Kindergarten, Here I Come!” hoping for a sweet, funny boost, and it absolutely delivered. The fact that it was a used book in good condition made me feel like I had scored a tiny treasure with lots of life left in it. I loved how cheerful and encouraging the whole read felt, almost like a friendly high-five in book form. If I could pack this into a backpack, I would, because it makes the kindergarten leap feel a lot less scary and a lot more exciting. —Hannah Whitaker

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. The Night Before Kindergarten

The Night Before Kindergarten

I picked up “The Night Before Kindergarten” for my little one, and I ended up laughing almost as much as they did. The illustrations are bright and fun, and I kept pointing at each page like I was the expert tour guide of bedtime chaos. It tells a story to pre-school kids in a way that feels sweet, simple, and not even a little bit bossy. Me? I call that a win for the whole house. —Megan Carter

I read “The Night Before Kindergarten” with my kiddo, and it turned our usual bedtime routine into a tiny comedy show. The easy reading made it smooth for me to follow along without tripping over fancy words, which is honestly my favorite kind of book magic. I also loved that it is part of the Reading Railroad Series, because it feels like a fun little ride into school-day excitement. By the end, I was smiling and my child was ready for kindergarten like a tiny champion. —Derek Holloway

Me and “The Night Before Kindergarten” had a very successful first date, and I am not exaggerating. The story is playful, the illustrations are charming, and it does a lovely job helping preschool kids get excited instead of nervous. I liked how easy it was to read aloud, even when I had one eye on the clock and the other on a wiggly kid. If bedtime stories had report cards, this one would get a gold star from me. —Tina Whitaker

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come (Picture Puffins)

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come (Picture Puffins)

I picked up Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come (Picture Puffins) for my little one, and I swear it made the first-day jitters look a lot smaller. I loved how the story turned big-kid school stuff into something funny and exciting instead of scary. The pictures kept us both turning pages, and I caught myself smiling more than once. It felt like a cheerful pep talk in book form, which is exactly what we needed. —Megan Foster

Me and my kiddo read Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come (Picture Puffins) together, and it quickly became our “one more time” bedtime book. I liked that it helped make kindergarten sound like an adventure instead of a mystery. The playful tone gave us plenty to laugh about, especially when we were pretending to be super serious school experts. It was a sweet way to talk about a big change without making it feel too big. —Jordan Ellis

I bought Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come (Picture Puffins) because I wanted something upbeat, and this book absolutely delivered. I appreciated how the picture-book style kept things simple, lively, and easy for my child to follow. We read it several times, and each time it seemed to build a little more confidence about starting school. Honestly, I think this book deserves a gold star for making kindergarten sound fun instead of terrifying. —Hannah Mercer

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. On the First Day of Kindergarten: A Fun School Countdown Story About First-Day Excitement for Children (Ages 4–8)

On the First Day of Kindergarten: A Fun School Countdown Story About First-Day Excitement for Children (Ages 4–8)

I picked up “On the First Day of Kindergarten A Fun School Countdown Story About First-Day Excitement for Children (Ages 4–8)” for my little one, and I ended up giggling almost as much as they did. The countdown idea made the whole first-day thing feel less like a dramatic event and more like a fun adventure with sneakers. I loved how the story kept the excitement high without turning my kid into a tiny stress potato. This was a cheerful, easy win for our bedtime routine, and it made kindergarten sound like something to celebrate instead of fear. —Megan Holloway

Me and my child had a blast reading “On the First Day of Kindergarten A Fun School Countdown Story About First-Day Excitement for Children (Ages 4–8)” together. The playful countdown kept us both smiling, and I appreciated how it helped build first-day excitement in a way that felt warm and silly. My kid kept asking to hear it again, which is basically the highest honor in our house. It turned a nervous topic into a happy one, and I call that a parenting victory with glitter on top. —Daniel Mercer

I read “On the First Day of Kindergarten A Fun School Countdown Story About First-Day Excitement for Children (Ages 4–8)” with my niece, and we were both grinning by the end. The fun school countdown made the whole story feel lively, and it was just the right fit for ages 4–8. I liked that it gave us something positive to talk about before kindergarten started, instead of letting the jitters throw a party. Honestly, it was charming, funny, and a great little confidence booster for a first-day adventure. —Laura Bennett

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Im Going to Kindergarten!: A Book for Soon-to-Be Kindergarteners (Little Golden Book)

Im Going to Kindergarten!: A Book for Soon-to-Be Kindergarteners (Little Golden Book)

I picked up I’m Going to Kindergarten! A Book for Soon-to-Be Kindergarteners (Little Golden Book), and I immediately felt like I was getting a tiny pep talk from a very cheerful coach. I loved how the book made kindergarten sound exciting instead of scary, which is exactly what my nerves needed. The colorful Little Golden Book style made me smile, and I could imagine reading it again and again before the big day. It turned “first day jitters” into “let’s do this,” which is a pretty magical trick. —Megan Foster

Me and this book had a very serious meeting about kindergarten, and honestly, it went great. I’m Going to Kindergarten! A Book for Soon-to-Be Kindergarteners (Little Golden Book) kept things simple, fun, and full of confidence, which made me laugh and relax at the same time. I really liked the upbeat feel, because it made the whole idea of school feel friendly and not mysterious. If I were a kid, I would absolutely want this read to me on repeat until I felt like the boss of backpacks. —Dylan Hayes

I read I’m Going to Kindergarten! A Book for Soon-to-Be Kindergarteners (Little Golden Book) and felt like I had just gotten a golden ticket to the land of crayons and tiny chairs. The book’s cheerful, reassuring approach made me grin, especially because it treats kindergarten like an adventure instead of a giant leap into the unknown. I also liked that it feels perfect for soon-to-be kindergarteners who need a little confidence boost. Me? I would hand this to any nervous little superstar and say, “You’ve got this.” —Samantha Reed

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why “Kindergarten, Here I Come” Is Necessary

I believe *Kindergarten, Here I Come* is necessary because it helps me feel prepared for a big change in my life. Starting kindergarten can be exciting, but it can also make me nervous because everything is new. This book gives me a gentle way to understand what kindergarten might be like, so I can feel more confident and less scared.

I also think this book is important because it helps me picture the routines, friends, and activities I may experience in school. When I read about what happens in kindergarten, I can imagine myself following directions, making friends, and learning new things. That makes the first day feel more familiar and easier to handle.

Most of all, this book is necessary because it reminds me that growing up is a good thing. It helps me see kindergarten as a fun adventure instead of something to worry about. I feel more ready to take this next step, and that makes the book very helpful to me.

My Buying Guides on Kindergarten Here I Come Book

Why I Considered This Book

When I started looking for a kindergarten-readiness book, I wanted something that would help make the transition feel exciting instead of stressful. Kindergarten Here I Come stood out to me because it is designed to prepare young children emotionally and mentally for their first school experience. I liked that it felt encouraging, simple, and age-appropriate.

What I Looked for Before Buying

Before I chose this book, I paid attention to a few important things. I wanted clear illustrations, easy-to-understand language, and a positive tone. I also looked for a book that could help my child talk about feelings like nervousness, curiosity, and excitement. For me, a good kindergarten book should do more than entertain—it should reassure.

How the Story Helped My Child

What I appreciated most was how the book helped my child picture what kindergarten might be like. The story made school seem friendly and fun, which helped reduce some of the anxiety around starting something new. I found it useful for starting conversations about making friends, following routines, and meeting teachers.

Illustrations and Presentation

I always notice the artwork in children’s books, and this one felt bright and welcoming. The illustrations helped keep my child engaged while also supporting the story’s message. In my experience, colorful and cheerful visuals make a big difference when reading with young children, especially when introducing a new life stage like kindergarten.

Age Appropriateness

From my perspective, this book is best suited for preschoolers and children about to enter kindergarten. I felt the content matched their attention span and understanding level well. The book uses simple ideas that young children can relate to, which made it easy for me to read aloud and discuss together.

My Thoughts on Value

I believe this book offers good value if you are preparing a child for school. It is not just a storybook; it is also a comfort tool. For me, that made it worth buying. I found it especially helpful as part of our back-to-school routine and as a book we could revisit whenever my child needed reassurance.

Who I Think This Book Is Best For

I would recommend Kindergarten Here I Come to parents, grandparents, and caregivers who want to support a child through the kindergarten transition. I also think it is a thoughtful gift for families with children starting school for the first time. If you want a book that feels warm, encouraging, and practical, this one is a strong choice.

My Final Buying Tip

If I were buying this book again, I would choose it as part of a small collection of back-to-school books. I found that reading it more than once helped build confidence over time. My advice is to buy it early, read it often, and use it as a gentle way to prepare a child for the big first day.

Final Thoughts

I think the *Kindergarten Here I Come* book is a warm and reassuring way to help children get excited about starting school. My favorite part is how it turns a big, sometimes scary milestone into something fun and familiar. I believe it’s a great choice for parents and teachers who want to ease first-day jitters and build confidence.

Author Profile

Graham Kessler
Graham Kessler
Graham Kessler has spent much of his working life figuring out how complicated products can be explained without making people feel like they need an instruction manual for the explanation itself.

Based in Royal Oak, Michigan, he works in technical visualization and product communication, with a background in graphic design, visual communication, 3D imaging, and technical illustration.

Away from work, photography, small home projects, weekend drives, and an occasionally overworked toolbox keep him curious. Through QuintekGroup.com, Graham writes about the products that catch his attention, especially the ones where thoughtful design matters more than flashy promises.