Get Ready for Back-To-School

The new school year is right around the corner! Checkout these fun reads about getting ready for the first day of school, overcoming fears, and making friends.

Updated July 14, 2025
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The nervous dragon : a story about overcoming back-to-school worries
Wilson, Clare
Paper Book
This board book is an adorable introduction to starting school for pre-readers. This journey of a young dragon will teach little ones that starting school isn't as scary as they might think. From DK's bestselling First Seasonal Stories series comes a new magical adventure for any...
Get ready for school
Nolan, Janet
Paper Book
Students aren't the only ones who have to prepare for the first day of school. The custodian turns on the lights and sweeps the hallways. Is it time for school? Not yet! The cafeteria workers wash tables and stack lunch trays. Is it time for school? Not yet...
Hello, crayons! : and other school friends
Eliot, Hannah
Paper Book
Introducing the dream team of school supplies, here to get you ready for school and calm any first-day jitters! This delightful board book is the perfect back-to-school read! From crayons to paper it's the time of year to meet new friends, because...
Back to school : a global journey
Ajmera, Maya
Paper Book
Whether they take a school bus, a boat, or a rickshaw to get there, kids around the globe are going to school and growing smarter and more curious every day. Beautiful, joy-filled, color photographs of children studying, learning, exploring, and having fun from nation to nation, will inspire readers...
Back-to-school blitz
Torres, Jennifer
Paper Book
2024 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award David Suárez gets stuck in the middle of a prank war when the neighborhood twins and triplets compete to rule the school. This is the first book of this hilarious, highly illustrated early chapter book series. David can't wait to...
Back to school Tortoise
George, Lucy M.
Paper Book
It's time to go back to school. But Tortoise is worried. What if he falls down? What if he doesn't like lunch? What if the kids are mean to him? What if he falls down, doesn't like lunch, and the kids are mean to him? The perfect back-to-school book about being brave, with a surprise at the end!
Back to school with Bigfoot
Berger, Samantha
Paper Book
Starting a new school year can be hard, even if (especially if) you're seven feet tall. But there's plenty to look forward to!The first day of school is right around the corner! And everything is bigger for Bigfoot -- especially back to school problems like getting a haircut, trying on new...
Llama Llama back to school
Duncan, Reed
Paper Book
A Netflix Original series From bestselling author and storyteller Anna Dewdney comes a back-to-school story featuring the beloved Llama Llama! Summer days are getting shorter and it's almost time for the first day of school for Llama! But Llama Llama isn't ready for...
Back to dog-gone school
Schmidt, Amy
Paper Book
Dog lovers and kids anxious about going back to school will be delighted by this photographic Step 2 reader with school-themed poems! From the bus stop to the last bell, the school day is covered. The easy-to-read poems were chosen and adapted from the delightful...
The secret life of squirrels : back to school!
Rose, Nancy
Paper Book
Get ready for the first day of school in this fourth book in the popular series featuring photographs of wild squirrels! Mr. Peanuts' teacher friend Rosie needs help preparing for the first day of school! The two squirrels go shopping for school supplies, set up the library and...
The crayons go back to school
Daywalt, Drew
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The hilarious Crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit are ready to go back to school in this mini hardcover book! Purple Crayon loves math! White Crayon loves reading! The Crayons are getting ready to go...
Louise the big cheese and the back-to-school smarty-pants
Primavera, Elise.
Paper Book
Louise the Big Cheese is determined to make the grade in school this year and that means straight As. But she's stuck with the toughest teacher ever. Will Louise make the grade?
Tiny T. Rex and the First-Day Oopsies: A Back-To-School Book
Stutzman, Jonathan
Paper Book
It's Tiny T. Rex's first day of school! In this new addition to the bestselling series, Tiny is certain he's ready for anything at his BIG new school--but learns that even the best-prepared dinosaur will still meet some "oopsies" along the way!   ...
Sounds like school spirit
Fleming, Meg
Paper Book
The ultimate back-to-school ode, this interactive, cheer-filled picture book joyfully celebrates the community we build at school They have spirit, yes they do! Follow kids from circle time to the lunch line in this lively, rhyming picture book that perfectly matches the high...
One golden rule at school : a counting book
Alko, Selina
Paper Book
Award-winning creator Selina Alko's One Golden Rule at School is a charming story that's two books in one--a counting book and a school primer for little ones. Young children experience a day of preschool, beginning with morning meeting, story time, and art...
First day of school
Berg, Esther van den
Paper Book
A funny, heartwarming, and colorful picture book about the first school at day. For children who are a little afraid of this big step and for those looking forward to it. It's Robin's first day at school. He doesn't look forward to it, but he actually ends up having a lot of fun!...
The first day of school
McNamara, Margaret.
Other
It's almost the first day of first grade, and Charles can't wait. That is, until he discovers that his puppy, Cookie, can't join him. But when he learns that bringing Cookie means she wouldn't be just his anymore, he decides it's better if she stays home.
First day of school
Rockwell, Anne F.
Paper Book
Anne and Lizzy Rockwell's delightful picture book series about Mrs. Madoff's class has explored some special occasions at school, including Career Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Presidents' Day. Now the respected mother-daughter writer-illustrator team is taking on another BIG day in First Day of...
Fairy's first day of school
Heos, Bridget
Paper Book
From the author of Mustache Baby, a picture book about a tiny fairy who has all the typical experiences a child might on the first day of school, but with silly fairy-like twists. In this humorous and reassuring picture book from the author of Mustache Baby, a sweet fairy...
Chu's first day of school
Gaiman, Neil.
Paper Book
A picture book school story featuring the New York Times bestselling panda named Chu from Newbery Medal-winning author Neil Gaiman and acclaimed illustrator Adam Rex! Chu, the adorable panda with a great big sneeze, is heading off for his first day of school, and he's nervous. He hopes the...
Butterflies on the first day of school
Silvestro, Annie
Paper Book
The first day of school is exciting--but it can be scary, too! Meet Rosie, a brand-new student who just happens to have butterflies in her stomach.   "Silvestro and Chen take a common figure of speech and transform it, literally, into a lovely...
Tiny Diamond's first day of school
Lewman, David
Paper Book
A school-themed Step into Reading leveled reader based on the DreamWorks Trolls! Children ages 4-6 will love this all-new DreamWorks Trolls school-themed Step into Reading reader featuring Tiny Diamond on his first day of school! Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary...
This Makes Me Anxious : First Day of School
Carbone, Courtney.
Paper Book
Get ready to conquer those back-to-school jitters with this exciting new Dealing with Feelings beginner book! This Step 2 reader is perfect for kids who recognize familiar sight words and are working on sounding out new ones! It's natural for children to feel anxious about the...
Stanley the dog : the first day of school
Bones, Bobby
Paper Book
From the award-winning radio and TV personality and beloved two-time New York Times bestselling author Bobby Bones, Stanley the Dog: The First Day of School is a hilarious and heartfelt new picture book about a bulldog pup named Stanley and his adventures on the first day of school. Today...
Lola goes to school
McQuinn, Anna
Paper Book
Get your preschooler and kindergartener school ready with bestselling Lola as she heads to her first day of school. A comforting and cheerful picture book read that explores the school day and it's new routine for first time students. Lola and her family prepare for...
Jojo vs. middle school
McCullough, Joy
Paper Book
After having hilariously terrible first days of sixth grade, four girls vow to ride out the super highs and cringe-worthy lows of middle school together, no matter how awkward it gets, in this first book in the Team Awkward middle grade series. Jojo has everything planned out for...
Junie B. Jones and the stupid smelly bus : the graphic novel
Venable, Colleen A. F.
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Laugh out loud with the iconic Junie B. Jones--now starring in "a dynamic new graphic ­novel series that stays true to the curious, ­energetic Junie of years past" (School Library Journal, starred review). "Hilarious. Barbara Park makes reading fun."--Dav...
First day, worst day
Nonamus, Andy
Paper Book
A very unlucky kid navigates the many challenges of the first day of school in the first book in The Very Worst Ever chapter book series! [REDACTED] keeps his name and school secret--even hiding his appearance behind stickers. Why? Because his bad luck is super embarrassing!
Wait a minotaur
Ebbeler, Jeffrey
Paper Book
When his new school hallways start to feel like a labyrinth, how will Gus the minotaur and his human pal Nick stay calm and find their way to the correct classroom? Find out in this action-packed early reader from comics artist Jeffrey Ebbeler. It's Nick's first day at a new...
Getting ready for kindergarten
Ahiyya, Vera
Paper Book
Get Ready for Kindergarten in this exciting new series for kids embarking on new adventures--written by an actual teacher! Vera Ahiyya, the Tutu Teacher, knows all about what your child can expect on their first day... and how to make the experience an empowering one for new students!
When I Am at Kindergarten
Whitfield, Kate.
Paper Book
While at kindergarten, Sarah sometimes worries that her family is having fun without her, then she realizes that each member of her extended family is busy with work, school, and other activities. This narrative and concept story will comfort children, while exploring family relationships and...
Harry gets ready for school
Ziefert, Harriet.
Paper Book
Everybody has a lot to do before school starts, and so does Harry. He has to go for a checkup, visit the dentist, get a haircut--and that's only the beginning!
Welcome to dinosaur school
Cobden, Rose
Paper Book
A Jurassic-themed, rhyming picture book for children starting school! All through the land, little dinos were stirring. They opened their eyes and their brains started whirring. The BIG day is here! they thought in a hurry . . . They...
My first day of first grade
Martin, Louise
Paper Book
Prepare your child for first grade with this adorable picture book that celebrates the bond between little one and grown-up! Help your child prepare for the first day of school with this sweet story that tells them they are ready for first grade. Filled with love and affirmations, this...
The Tinysaurs go to school
Hegarty, Patricia
Paper Book
This fourth book in the Tinysaurs series features Clawdie, Spike, and Roary as they navigate the first day of a new school year-with a little bit of grace and a lot of humor! The Tinysaurs return with a fun back-to-school adventure! Clawdie, Spike, and Roary are eager to return...
Welcome back!
Penfold, Alexandra
Paper Book
A back-to-school celebration featuring the beloved characters from the New York Times-bestselling All Are Welcome! This Step 2 early reader is perfect for emerging readers who are excited to learn more at school. The sun is up.      ...

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