"The Night Before First Grade" by Natasha Wing (author), Deborah Zemke (illustrator)

“T’was the night before first grade.
I kissed my dog Clover.
‘School’s starting tomorrow
Because summer is over.’”

Penny is excited to begin first grade with her best friend by her side in the same classroom. They even prepared ahead of time with matching outfits! But when things at school don’t pan out the way they plan, Penny and her best friend are split into different classes where they’ll have to make new friends with new students.

With colorful illustrations, rhyming text, and a fun surprise at the end, this encouraging story about starting first grade prepares kids to tackle back-to-school jitters.

The Night Before series helps young readers—and their parents!—explore big milestones in an encouraging, uplifting way.