How to Start Kindergarten: A Book for Kindergarteners

by Catherine Hapka

A hilarious Step 2 reader about starting at a new school!

David is the new kid at school, and is worried about fitting in. Steve is NOT worried about fitting in, and tells David, "Just do what I do and you will be great!" But when David listens a little too well, Steve has a bona fide copycat on his hands!

Join the brothers from How Not to Start Third Grade, How Not to Babysit Your Brother, and How Not to Run for Class President for a new adventure...from younger brother Steve's perspective! Zany antics and plot twists will feel relatable and fun in this hilarious reader.

Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens

32 pages, Library Binding

Published July 10, 2018

About the author

Catherine (Cathy) Hapka has written more than one hundred books for children and adults, as a ghostwriter for series as well as original titles, including the Romantic Comedies Something Borrowed, The Twelve Date of Christmas, and Love on Cue. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2/20/2025 - It’s not a bad story, but the title is very misleading. It’s not about what happens when you start kindergarten. The story is about a new kid copying his friend in how he acts and dresses.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story itself was okay - the little brother who copycats suddenly gets a copycat of his own - but until I realized this was part of a series, I thought the title was very misleading. I had a patron request this book today, thinking it would help her child with his first-day jitters, but it really didn't have anything about starting kindergarten at all.

[Well-Read Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not about every child's first day of kindergarten and what that will be like, but about a new kid in school and how to fit in. About making the right decision for a friend instead of choosing a selfish path. Though that title was a bit misleading, I believe it is important for children to see what it may be like interacting with other children.
Such an easy read, my 4 and a half year old read this himself.

https://wellreadmama.com/kindergarten...

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

David is a new kid. He doesn't know how if he would fit in the school. Luckily he meets Steve, who said that he will be fine, as long as he does what Steve does.

So David start copying Steve. From the way he dresses, to the way Steve talks. Steve gets really annoyed at David.

What can Steve do to make David be his own self and not copying him anymore?

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has nothing to do with kindergarten, doesn't even mention it.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so much about starting kindergarten as it is about making new friends.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has really nothing to do with starting kindergarten.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute enough!

[Tara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

2/20/2025 - I thought this story would tell me what kindergarten is like, but it did not. Read with Momma.

[Christine Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many others commented, the title is misleading. I borrowed this book in preparation of my daughter starting kindergarten in a week and I hoped it would quell some of the anxiety she is feeling about going to school outside of her preschool/daycare experience. The book introduces us to Steve, who “for sure” is the coolest kid in school and who admittedly tries to beat his older brother in baseball. He meets David, new to the school and filled with trepidation that he won’t fit in with the others. David is reassured by Steve that if he follows everything Steve does, all will be fine. An instant infatuation with all things cool develops as David imitates everything Steve does, right down to eating the same pickle sandwich for lunch. Anger builds and unleashes as Steve screams out for David to stop copying him. Will, Steve’s older brother, tries to help Steve make the connection that his own copycatting has equally annoyed Will for some time. You’re getting a taste of your own medicine now, Steve! However, a school-wise pageant act sparks the need for an amazing cartwheeler and David is chosen out of the entire class to perform the daredevilish acrobatics. He develops a bad case of stage fright immediately before the act is set to go on and he wants Steve to perform the cartwheel in his place. Even though Steve would like nothing more than to be the center of attention, he supplies words of encouragement to David that he is capable of executing a perfect cartwheel and will be the star of the show. Despite the constant imitation and the anger it causes, the two become best friends at the end.

Sorry to say this had very little to do with the start of kindergarten. Taking the title at face value, literally and figuratively (studying the cover), I banked on there being a theme of friendship present as two boys with little to no school experience, figured their way through the first day of kindergarten. Social emotional learning topics can be explored when one examines the frustration, not flattery, Steve feels because of the downright creepiness of David’s imitation of all he does.

If you are looking to read some books with your soon-to-be kindergartener, I would recommend exploring some really worthwhile titles out there, such as Planet Kindergarten or Welcome to Kindergarten by Mary Rockwell before this one.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve befriends David who is new in the neighbourhood. To ease David’s anxiety on their first day in kindergarten, Steve tells him just to do what he does. It works so well that it dismays Steve. Fun illustrations for this amusing story.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't actually about how to start kindergarten, but it is a cute story.

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is more than a little misleading.