The Best Back to School Books for Kids

Get kids excited for a new school year with these back-to-school books for kids. A list of tried and true books perfect for back to school season from a former teacher turned mom.

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I am writing this on the first day of school after sending my kids off to elementary school. We spend a week getting excited for school with a goodbye summer party, a back-to-school shopping trip, a back-to-school dinner, and a week reading our favorite back-to-school picture books.

Back to School Picture Books

Every time I share a glimpse of our back-to-school dinner on Instagram, I get flooded with questions about what books we read and our recommendations.
We love to display a bunch of school themed books at the table, and we get ready for the first day of school by reading our list of back to school book favorites.

As a former teacher, I am picky about the books I purchase. We typically check out a stack from the library, and then slowly add one or two to our collection every year. And it’s time we make a steady place to share our list of books we love and recommend.

if you have a kindergartner, check out our Going to Kindergarten Books list and roundup! But this post will feature the best start of the school year books for kids of all ages.

These are the absolute winners we know your family will love too!

20 Fantastic Back to School Books

The Day You Begin

by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

This beautiful and powerful book celebrates diversity and the courage it takes to share your unique story, even when you feel like an outsider.

This is one of my very favorite books for the beginning of the year, since every years feels new and every studen can feel like a new kid. It’s one of our must-reads to help remind our kids that they can find a community of friends even in a brand-new classroom or school.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

by Ryan T. Higgins

Penelope Rex, a T-Rex, is excited to go to school but has one big problem: she keeps eating her classmates! A hilarious and memorable lesson in friendship and self-control.

As a picky former teacher, I’ll confess this just may be my favorite children’s book, and it’s the perfect book to read for the first week of school!

The Pigeon Has to Go to School!

by Mo Willems (both author and illustrator)

In this installment of the beloved series, the Pigeon must confront his fears and anxieties about going to school in a very comical and relatable way.

Mo Willems is a favorite author for young students, and can hold students’ attention with simple text, fun illustrations, and lot of laughs!

School’s First Day of School

by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson

In a clever twist, this story is told from the perspective of the school itself on its very first day, experiencing its own set of “first-day jitters.”

I Promise

by LeBron James, illustrated by Nina Mata

I first saw this book on a display and rolled my eyes thinking it was a money grab for basketball fans. And then I read it in the store, repented of my ways, and instantly put it in my cart! We read this book every year, and it’s perfect for younger kids and older kids alike!

Inspired by his I PROMISE program, this inspiring picture book uses rhyming text to encourage children to make promises to themselves and their community to strive for greatness.

It’s a great book of affirmations and a reminder for kids to commit themselves to doing their best.

Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year

by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts

From the creators of the beloved Questioneers series, this book tells the story of an anxious girl who moves to a new town. She finds confidence with the help of a kind and brilliant teacher.

This is a perfect book to remind us sometimes the “what if’s” in our head can turn into a classroom community, confidence, and figuring out who we are.

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?

by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague

The dinosaur series tackles a new challenge: going to school. This humorous book shows what good and bad behavior looks like for a child starting school.

If You Take a Mouse to School

by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond

Just like the original, this book follows a mouse through a chain of events that begins when you take him to school, offering a fun and playful look at the school day. It’s a fun story that you’ll love reading the entire school year.

Wemberly Worried

by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly worries about everything, and her biggest worry is starting school. This book is perfect for any child with first-day jitters.
My mom bought this one for me as a little worry-wort and I remember it helping my own nerves settle and increasing my bravery for the first day of school.

The Kissing Hand

by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak

This is a perfect read for kindergarteners or kids heading to full-time school in first grade about to spend a lot more time away from caregivers.

It’s a tender and reassuring story about a little raccoon named Chester who is anxious about leaving his mother for school. Chester raccoon is blessed to have his mother share a special secret with him to remind him of her love.

Llama Llama Misses Mama

by Anna Dewdney

This one is perfect for kindergartners, preschoolers, and younger kids.
A touching story about Llama Llama’s first day of school, where he experiences separation anxiety but learns that he can have fun and be safe even when his mama isn’t there.

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

by Eric Litwin and Kimberly Dean, illustrated by James Dean

Pete the Cat is a cool and confident cat who teaches kids that it’s okay to try new things and that everything is groovy as long as you’re “rockin’ in your school shoes.”

Our Class is a Family

by Shannon Olsen, illustrated by Sandie Sonke

This heartwarming book introduces the idea of the classroom as a supportive and loving community. It shares the ida that a class is a second family where everyone belongs.

This is a perfect read to remind kids they’re about to learn a lot of classroom lessons. They also may make some best friends along the way.

First Day Jitters

by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Judy Love

A classic story about a girl named Sarah Jane Hartwell who is nervous about the first day of school. The surprise twist at the end makes this a favorite read-aloud.

This Is a School

by John Schu, illustratored by Veronica Miller Jamison

This picture book celebrates the school community, showing that a school is more than just a building. It’s a place for discovery, hope, and healing, filled with people who learn, grow, and support each other.

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How to Get Your Teacher Ready

by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

This book uses a fun, role-reversal concept where students give their teacher tips on how to prepare for the first day of school. As well as other events like picture day and the holiday concert. The heartwarming message is that by getting the teacher ready, the students are also getting themselves ready for the school year.

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Welcome to Unicorn School

by Rose Cobden, Illustratored by Loretta Schauer

A young unicorn named Rocky is excited but nervous for his first day of school. After a small mishap, he worries he doesn’t belong. He soon discovers the power of friendship and teamwork when he meets a new friend, and they learn to face their fears together.

If I Built a School

by Chris Van Dusen (Author and Illustrator)

A boy named Jack imagines building the most magnificent, fun, and creative school ever. It even comes complete with hover desks and a robo-chef. It’s a great book for sparking a child’s imagination about what’s possible at school.

I’m raising two STEM loving kids! This book is fantastic to not only keep students’ attention, but also to remind them they’re going to learn a ton get to be creative!

Exceptionally, Extraordinarily Ordinary First Day of School

Author and Illustrator: Albert Lorenz

This picture book tells the story of John, the new kid at school, who is asked by the librarian to describe his old school. John’s wildly imaginative tales—of a school bus that’s a safari jeep, and a castle for a school building—make him the center of attention. This humorous and over-the-top story is a fun way to explore and conquer first-day jitters.

I love this one to help kids get excited that school can be fun, and imagination is a wonderful thing!

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First Day Critter Jitters

Author: Jory John, illustrated by Liz Climo

This book is a reassuring and funny story about a group of animal friends who are all nervous about their first day of school. From a sloth worried about being late to a snake unable to carry a backpack, each critter has its own unique anxieties. They soon discover that their teacher, an armadillo, is nervous too. And they learn to work together to overcome their fears.

Back to School Books for Elementary Students

We hope these back to school books for elementary students help your family get excited for the first day of school. And may they become one of the fun things your kids look forward to during the start of a new school year!

Like this book list? Be sure to check out some of other favorite books in these blog posts:

25 Excellent Christmas Picture Books to Help You Countdown to Christmas

Our Favorite Halloween Books For Kids

20 Books Every New Mom Should Have in Their Library

The Best Star Wars Books for Kids

Audible Books for Kids: 20 Excellent Audiobooks for Kids