The same laugh-out-loud writing and hilarious illustrations that brought us How Not to Babysit Your Brother now portray the tribulations and embarrassments of starting school with a very troublesome little brother. A perfect read for back to school--no matter what that looks like!

Will should be excited to start third grade. But his little brother, Steve, is starting kindergarten. 

Cathy Hapka and Ellen Titlebaum are the authors of many books for children. This is their second book about Will and Steve. They live in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, and New York City, respectively.Debbie Palen has illustrated many books for children, including How Not to Babysit Your Brother and the first four books in the Andrew Lost series. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio.


It's back to school for Steve! Will his first day of first grade be ruined by the new kid? A hilarious Step 2 reader about self-confidence and friendship!

Steve is so excited to start first grade with all his buddies from kindergarten! But then a new kid joins the class, and, boy, is she impressive! Hannah is from Alaska, and she's really cool. Even her show-and-tell is way more exciting than Steve's. But exaggerating to make himself seem cooler just lands Steve in the principal's office. Will he get into worse trouble, or can he maybe make a new friend?

This book is a perfect follow-up to How to Start Kindergarten and a great choice for any kid getting ready to go back to school. Emergent readers will see themselves in this very relatable series. And when they're ready, they can read about the zany antics of Steve and his older brother, Will, in How Not to Start Third Grade, How Not to Babysit Your Brother, and How Not to Run for Class President (Step 3 books).

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.

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.

Will’s little brother, Steve, is big trouble. What happens when Will has to babysit? Steve’s over-the-top mishaps and Will’s attempts to get him under control are sure to keep kids reading—and laughing!—throughout this Step 4 book. Early readers with younger siblings are sure to relate.


Looking for a fun, light introduction to the campaign process? Join the brothers from the How Not to . . . series as they navigate a class election! Third grader Will couldn t care less about boring school politics. But when his friend Chelsea proposes a Reading Buddy program that would require Will to hang out with the kindergartners (and therefore his little brother, Steve), he makes an impulsive decision to run against her! Supportive brother that he is, Steve takes full responsibility for managing his brother s campaign . . . and things quickly spiral out of control.