The Last Day of Kindergarten
What’s inside...
Today is the last day of kindergarten. A little girl is sad that kindergarten is coming to an end and wishes it were the first day again, when everything was exciting and new. She fondly remembers meeting her teacher, Mrs. Popinski, and having a fun year ahead. However, as she reflects, she realizes that graduating is exciting too, and first grade might not be so bad after all. The bright mixed-media artwork complements the text and captures the emotions of the story.
Why read this book
- Captures the emotions of transitioning to first grade.
- Encourages embracing change and new beginnings.
- Highlights friendship and support among peers.
- Stimulates conversations about school experiences.
The Big Picture
- Change is normal and brings new opportunities.
- Feelings of excitement and sadness can coexist.
- Memories of one chapter help us embrace the next.
- Discuss life's milestones openly with comfort and support.
What parents love
- Perfect for easing school transition jitters.
- Beautifully illustrates emotions of a school milestone.
- Fun and educational, great for little ones!
- Helps kids understand and embrace change.
Diversity & Representation
- Showcases racially diverse characters in a kindergarten setting.
- Portrays a variety of family structures and backgrounds.
- Inclusively represents different abilities and interests of children.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did you feel on your last day of kindergarten, or how do you think you might feel?
What are some things the character did on their last day that you would like to do?
Why do you think saying goodbye to kindergarten was hard for the character?
What are you looking forward to in your next school year?
How can you keep in touch with friends you made in kindergarten?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use personal stories from your own experiences in kindergarten to ignite a heartfelt conversation.
Ask follow-up questions to dive deeper into your child's feelings and thoughts about moving on from kindergarten.
Read the story together before a major transition, such as starting a new school year, to naturally bring up these discussions.
After reading, use creative activities, like drawing or role-playing, to help your child express their feelings about the book and their own experiences.
Validate their emotions by sharing that it's okay to feel sad, excited, or nervous about big changes, just as the character in the book might have felt.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: The story follows a young girl on her last day of kindergarten, capturing her mixed emotions about moving on to first grade.
Real-World Application: Children learn to understand and accept transitions in life, such as graduating to a new grade or moving to a new place.
Example Lesson: Expressing Feelings
Explanation: The protagonist expresses sadness about leaving kindergarten but also excitement for what lies ahead, showing a healthy handling of emotions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to openly express their feelings about changes or milestones in their life, aiding emotional development.
Example Lesson: Valuing Memories
Explanation: The narrative highlights the importance of cherishing memories as the character recalls her favorite moments from kindergarten.
Real-World Application: Children are taught to appreciate and retain positive memories which can provide comfort and happiness in times of change.
Example Lesson: Looking Forward to New Experiences
Explanation: The book concludes with the character feeling optimistic about the new experiences first grade will bring.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children to adopt a positive outlook towards future events and be open to new learning opportunities.