As the month of September looms on the horizon, the back-to-school countdown is on. School bells will ring out for another new school year, signaling an end to summer vacations.

For many children, this September will be their first experience at school. Milton Public Library has excellent resources to help you and your preschooler with the transition. See Starting School: How to Help Your Child be Prepared. This book will assist you in readying your child for a successful start in school.

Ready for School?: What Every Preschooler Should Know has a range of learning activities geared to ages from birth to five and is a guide to raising curious and confident children who are ready to learn when they get to school.

Both When You Go to Kindergarten and Do I Have to Go to School?: A First Look at Starting School are directly aimed at preschoolers and primary grade children to help them understand that school is a wonderful, exciting place where they will encounter many new experiences by learning about the world around them.

We have a great assortment of picture books about school for you and your child to enjoy. try A Place Called Kindergarten. This is the story of a boy's first day of school. It is written with enthusiasm and will reassure any anxious kindergartners. Countdown to Kindergarten is a humourous look at a child's anxiety about going off to school.

We Share Everything! is a delightful book about two kindergarteners who have problems sharing. I Am Not Going to School Today! relates a boy's first day jitters and how his fears are put to rest.

For older children, try First Grade, Here I Come!, which is the story of a young mouse who thinks he hasn't enjoyed his first day at school. As he tells his mother about his first day, he realizes that school was an enjoyable experience after all. First Day Jitters is about a new and anxious young teacher. This book will help nervous youngsters realize that they are not the only ones apprehensive about dealing with new situations.

We have a selection of resources for those who choose to homeschool their children. Take a look at The Homeschooling Handbook: From Preschool to High School, a Parent's Guide, which covers many things you will need to know about educating your child at home. For useful advice on homeschooling see A Parent's Guide to Homeschooling. The Homeschooling Almanac is a helpful guide to all types of educational resources such as books, software, videos, games, crafts and science kits.

Milton Public Library can even help you make lunches! Check out these two titles: The Top 100 Recipes for a Healthy Lunchbox: Easy and Exciting Ideas for Your Child's Lunches and Kids' Healthy Lunchbox: Over 50 Delicious and Nutritious Recipes for Children of All Ages.

Come to Milton Public Library for these and other resources. Our friendly and helpful information staff will be delighted to help you choose your back to school resources. Have a great school year!

Cover to cover is prepared by staff at the Milton Public Library.