The back-to-school displays have been up at Target for some time — summer is officially winding down, and families are gearing up for school! When I was a classroom teacher, I spent the first couple of weeks reading back-to-school books to my students. I’ve kept these beloved books — and added more — to read to my children to help them prepare for their first days of school each year!
There are so many great books for kids and parents alike about starting school, returning for a new year, and managing feelings about the first day — and beyond. When a child is facing a new situation or is apprehensive about a big change, reading a story about it can help alleviate some of the anxious feelings by showing how the character manages the experience. Here are some of my favorite books to help your family get ready to head back to school.
Books for Kids of All Ages
“The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn
When Chester Raccoon would rather stay home than go to school without his mama, Mrs. Raccoon teaches him a very special secret to remind him that mommy’s love is always with him. This book is perfect for kids (and mamas) who might be a little wary of spending the day apart.
“Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes” by Eric Litwin
If you’ve met Pete the Cat, you know it’s all good with him. Nothing can stop him from moving, grooving, and singing along, not even heading to school. Follow Pete as he makes his way through school, all while rocking in his school shoes. Watch out, though — Pete’s song will definitely get stuck in your head!
“Dad’s First Day” by Mike Wohnoutka
Not only is it Oliver’s first day at school without Dad, it’s Dad’s first day without Oliver! See how Oliver helps his dad get ready for the first day of school in this funny twist on managing first day nerves.
“School’s First Day of School” by Adam Rex
It’s the first day of school, and everyone’s just a little bit nervous — especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him? The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees he’s not the only one with first-day jitters.
“The Crayons Go Back to School” by Drew Daywalt
If you liked “The Day The Crayons Quit,” this story is sure to please! The crayons are getting ready to go back to school, and each crayon has a subject they’re looking forward to the most. They’re also ready to meet new friends — and let loose during their very favorite time of day: art class. This is a humorous back-to-school story from everyone’s favorite school supplies.
“The Pigeon HAS to Go to School” by Mo Willems
Everyone’s favorite pigeon is back in this book where he faces the anxieties many kids experience — the back-to-school jitters. What if Pigeon doesn’t like school? What if he learns TOO MUCH? Pigeon will have you laughing your socks off with his silly antics!
“We Don’t Eat Our Classmates” by Ryan T. Higgins
If you’re looking for a hilarious book with a great message about how to treat others, here it is! This book follows the back-to-school experience of Penelope Rex, a dinosaur who would love to make new friends, if only they weren’t so delicious!
“Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect — until her first day of school. “You’re named after a flower!” teases Victoria. “Let’s smell her,” says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again? This is an ideal break-the-ice book for the first week of school. It’s the perfect vehicle for starting a discussion about treating classmates with tolerance, kindness, and compassion.
Books About Starting Preschool
“Llama Llama Misses Mama” by Anna Dewdney
When Llama Llama misses mama on his first day of preschool, it seems like nothing will cheer him up. Luckily, he has a lot of wonderful new friends to show him how much fun school can be and, of course, Mama Llama always comes back for him!
“Dinosaur vs. School” by Bob Shea
Dinosaur is starting school and there are so many things to do — meet new friends, play dress up and musical instruments, eat snack and… clean up!?
“Wemberly Worried” by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly worries about everything. She is especially worried about starting nursery school. Wemberly’s list of “what ifs” is pretty huge, but when the day comes to start school she meets a special friend who helps her through the day.
Books About Starting Kindergarten
“Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten” by Joseph Slate
The fun, rhyming Miss Bindergarten series was one of my favorites to read with my kindergarten students! While Miss Bindergarten spends the morning getting ready for her new kindergarten class, we see what the students are each doing to get themselves ready for the big first day of school.
“Monkey: Not Ready for Kindergarten” by Marc Brown
Even when you do a lot of things to get ready to start kindergarten, like Monkey, sometimes you just don’t feel ready. His family works really hard to show him he can do it!
“KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day” by Vera Ahiyya
It’s the first day of kindergarten, and Leo isn’t at all ready. Leo is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. This story about a classroom coming together to make a kindergarten into a KINDergarten is sure to calm the nerves — and offer inspiration — to new kindergartners and the adults in their lives.
Books for Older Kiddos
“First Day Jitters” by Julie Danneberg
Sarah Jane has a lot of worries about the first day of school. Will they like her? What if she doesn’t like it? Sarah Jane’s jittery first-day feelings are perfectly normal — everyone is nervous on the first day! This book is so relatable and has a surprise ending kids will find amusing.
“The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson
There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. This book reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes — and how brave it is that we go forth anyway.
“This School Year Will Be The Best” by Kay Winters
On the first day of school, new classmates are asked to share what they would most like to happen in the upcoming year. Some kids’ hopes are familiar while others are off-the-wall. Whether it’s looking good on picture day or skateboarding at school, everyone’s wishes are shown in humorously exaggerated illustrations. As the first day draws to a close, there can be no doubt — this school year will definitely be the best!
This post was originally published in 2016 and was updated in 2024 by Jennifer Pierce.
Note: Some book descriptions are from the book publishers.
