Back-to-School Children's Book List

Sam's Super Seats by Keah Brown and Sharee Miller

“A joyful picture book about a girl with cerebral palsy who goes back-to-school shopping with her best friends, from #DisabledandCute creator and The Pretty One author Keah Brown.”

The Berenstain Bears Go Back to School by Stan, Jan, and Mike Berenstain

This book with rhyming poems is appropriate for back-to-school kids up to fourth grade.

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect until she gets teased on the first day of school. “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.”

Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish and Lynne Avril

Amelia Bedelia is excited to begin school, but her tendency to take other people’s words literally set her up for a string of mishaps. The book’s sense of humor may help “assuage first-day fears” and spark a discussion about some common idioms in English.

Not Yet, Yeti by Bethany V. Freitas and Maddie Frost

“Yeti's journey to achieving his goals highlights the importance of nurturing a positive self-image and a growth mindset in early learners.”

Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney

For kids who don’t want summertime to end, this rhyming picture book helps young learners prepare for school routines.

Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can't Go to School! by Christina Geist and Tim Bowers

“This warm, interactive story is the perfect tool for parents of kids who are reluctant or nervous about going to school.”

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López

For kids who are worried they will feel like an outsider in their new classroom, this book encourages them to share their stories.

Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London and Frank Remkiewicz

Froggy isn’t nervous about a new school year at all — he’s excited! He makes a lot of mistakes, like interrupting or not paying attention, but his teacher provides gentle support.

A New School Year: Stories in Six Voices by Sally Derby and Mika Song

This picture book features poems about six different children from kindergarten to fifth grade with their different back-to-school routines and concerns.

Be Big!: Beatrice's First Day of First Grade by Katie Kizer

Beatrice experiences a lot of changes between kindergarten and first grade, but her new friend encourages her to speak up for herself and have fun.

Can I Play Too? by Samantha Cotterill

A sensory-friendly story that helps kids with social communication challenges navigate friendship and play — perfect for early classroom inclusion.

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

A book about classmates and friends on the first day of school. Penelope Rex is excited for her very first day of school and to meet her new classmates. But making friends is tough — especially when you're a dinosaur and your human classmates look a little too tasty! A book showing there's more friendship than first impressions.

Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis

Dexter is starting kindergarten and gets his many questions answered with the help of his third-grade sister and his lovable dog Rufus.

Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee and Harry Bliss

“Told with gentle humor, this picture book helps turn worry to smiles.”

Kindergarten, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg and Mark Chambers

Beyond the first day of school, this book tells children what to expect during their first year of school in rhyming poems.

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing and Julie Durrell

In this reimagining of the classic Christmas poem, “Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all--saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won't be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is!”

Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School by Emily Jenkins

Broken into 100 short chapters that can be read aloud or on their own, this humorous book follows Harry into first grade.

Aven Green: Sleuthing Machine by Dusti Bowling and Gina Perry

Aven, born without arms, starts a new school and uses her detective skills to solve a mystery. A funny and empowering back-to-school story.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

A graphic memoir about Cece, starting a new school, who wears a hearing aid and turns her difference into a superpower. A perfect read for kids entering a new school year.