Picture books perfect for spring that are recommended for elementary school children. Picture books that make them look forward to going to elementary school.

A Day in Class 1-1Photos and text: Toshio Kawashima

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Let me introduce a unique picture book, “1-nen 1-kumi no 1-nichi” (A Day in Class 1-1).

Created by Toshio Kawashima, it’s technically a photo picture book.

Through real photographs, it portrays daily life at an elementary school.

Because they’re photos, you can really feel the textures and atmosphere.

Another notable feature is the use of speech bubbles on the photos, giving it a manga-like presentation.

Children who love picture books will enjoy it, of course, and it’s likely to appeal to kids who like photography and manga as well.

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first graderPoem: Shuntaro Tanikawa / Illustrations: Makoto Wada

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Some children may feel nervous or anxious as they get ready to move up to the next school level.

That’s why I’d like to introduce Ichinensei (First Grader).

This hugely popular picture book features a story by Shuntaro Tanikawa and illustrations by Makoto Wada.

The story captures the inner feelings of a child going to elementary school for the first time.

It can help children better understand what elementary school is like—“Oh, so this is what we do there”—and it’s sure to make them think, “It seems like a fun place!”

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The school backpack has arrived.Written by Hirotaka Nakagawa / Illustrated by Yasunari Murakami

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A book I highly recommend reading around the time a child starts elementary school is “The Randoseru Has Arrived.” In this volume, the text is by Hirotaka Nakagawa and the illustrations are by Yasunari Murakami.

The story revolves around the theme of the randoseru school bag.

It begins when the young boy protagonist suddenly receives a blue randoseru as a gift one day, and it depicts him heading out with it on his back and thanking the grandfather who gave it to him.

Reading it will surely make you excited to wear a randoseru yourself.

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Story ClassroomWritten and illustrated by Shinobu Saito

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There are certain things you start using when you enter elementary school—pencil cases, pencils, recorders, and red-and-white caps.

This book, “Ohana shi Kyōshitsu” (Story Classroom), focuses on those very tools.

By cleverly weaving in their uses and characteristics, it turns “what the tools are thinking” into a story.

Because items that elementary schoolers use every day appear one after another, it captures children’s interest and may also foster a desire to take good care of the tools they’re using now.

Each spread features a different story, so it’s also recommended for kids who aren’t fond of long stories.

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Kunchan’s First Day of SchoolWritten and illustrated by Dorothy Marino / Translated by Ruriko Masaki

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Kun-chan’s First Day of School is a picture book recommended for children who are about to start first grade.

The protagonist is Kun-chan, a little bear who’s becoming a first grader.

He heads to elementary school excited, but then gets nervous and runs out of the classroom.

In the end, though, he comes to love school.

Your child is probably feeling both excitement and anxiety, just like Kun-chan.

At times like that, try reading this book together.

While elementary school is different from kindergarten or preschool, it still has friends and teachers—and it’s a fun place.

This book can help your child feel that anew.

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To you at age sixText by Masami Sasaki / Illustrations by Miho Satake

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Here is a book I’d like incoming first graders—and their parents—to read: “To You at Six.” Rather than a story, it’s a collection of short lines expressing a parent’s love for their child, offering a beautiful look back on the past six years.

When children read it, they can feel how dearly they’ve been loved as they grew.

When parents read it, they may feel, “We’ve received so many treasures up to now.” It’s a book I especially recommend reading once before the next six years begin.

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Little Fox, First GraderWritten by: Hiroshi Saito / Illustrated by: Mayu Niki

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This is a work by Hiroshi Saito, also known for The Ghost and the Library and the Rudolf series.

A young fox who wants to be a first-grader transforms into a human and slips in among the first-grade students.

While there are fun moments—attending class together and eating school lunch—there are also scenes where it seems like the fox’s true identity might be discovered, which will have child readers on the edge of their seats.

Please enjoy the little fox’s adventure, surrounded by friendly classmates and a kind teacher who make being together so much fun.

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Because I’m going to be a first grader!Text: Eiko Kadono / Illustrations: Taeko Oshima

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I’d like to introduce the picture book “Because I’m Going to Be a First Grader,” which I want to read aloud to children when they’re the oldest in kindergarten.

Before starting elementary school, there are all kinds of preparations: going to the school readiness health check, choosing and buying a school bag (randoseru), writing your name on each of your belongings, and attending the entrance ceremony.

This picture book portrays those scenes of getting ready to become an elementary school student.

Even if someone tells you, “You’re going to be an elementary schooler,” it can be hard to really picture it… That’s exactly when this book is worth reading.

I’m sure it will nurture excitement and a positive feeling about becoming a first grader.

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