Is your little one nervous about starting preschool or kindergarten? Consider heading to the library for help. Books can be a great way to work through those first-day jitters.

New options include:

• “You Are My Wonders,” by Maryann Cusimano Love (Philomel, 2012). An elephant teacher tells her animal students, “I am your teacher; you are my school child. … I am your blank paper; you are my work of art. … I am your wisdom; you are my wonders.”

• “My Teacher,” by James Ransome (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012). A teacher inspires students to write stories, listen to jazz and build a class library. She shows that “a great teacher is the best gift of all.”

• “Kindergarten, Here I Come!” by D.J. Steinberg (Grosset & Dunlap, 2012). This book includes short rhymes about first-day nerves, lunchboxes, class trips and show-and-tell.

Some oldies but goodies:

• “Kindergarten Rocks!” by Katie Davis (Sandpiper, 2008). Dexter, a soon-to-be kindergartner, learns it’s OK to be nervous about school.

• “How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?” by Jane Yolen (Blue Sky Press, 2007). Dinosaurs tower over teachers and children as the author speculates about how rebellious the dinosaurs might be in a classroom.

• “My Kindergarten,” by Rosemary Wells (Hyperion, 2004). Featuring a guinea pig named Miss Cribbage as the teacher, this book follows Emily the rabbit and her animal classmates through the first year of school.

• “Llama Llama Misses Mama,” by Anna Dewdney (Viking Juvenile, 2009). On Llama Llama’s first day of preschool, he encounters “a strange new teacher, strange new toys, lots of kids and lots of noise.” He’s distraught when it’s time for Mama Llama to leave, but she reassures Llama Llama that she will return.

• “The Kissing Hand,” by Audrey Penn (Tanglewood Press, 2007). Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to go to school, so his mother shares a special family secret: the Kissing Hand. She spreads her son’s fingers into a fan and kisses his palm. Whenever he feels lonely at school, all he has to do is press his hand to his cheek to feel his mommy’s love.

• “Wemberly Worried,” by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, 2010). Wemberly, a shy mouse, frets about everything. Luckily, her teacher introduces her to a friend on the first day.

Email Betsy Flagler at p2ptips@att.net or call 704-236-9510.