Back to School Book List

These books are great reads for the child heading off to school for the very first time, managing those first day jitters, or just on the theme of school. All these selections are available through the Sussex County Library System. You will find board books, picture books, easy readers, fiction, nonfiction as well as teen selections.

Updated July 29, 2024
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Back to school, backpack! /
Rich, Simon
Paper Book
A hilarious yet reassuring back-to-school picture book by humorist, novelist, and TV writer Simon Rich-a clever and sweet follow-up to I'm Terrified of Bath Time, where a child's backpack frets about first-day-of-school jitters!  In this hilarious...
Breathe like a bear :
Willey, Kira
Paper Book
A companion picture book to Breathe Like a Bear that helps kids feel calm and ready to meet new classmates! Bear can't wait to go to her first day of school. But she and a few of her friends are also feeling a little anxious. Luckily, Owl has the perfect words for them all...
Breathe like a bear :
Willey, Kira
Paper Book
Breathe Like a Bear is a beautifully illustrated collection of mindfulness exercises designed to teach kids techniques for managing their bodies, breath, and emotions. Best of all, these 30 simple, short breathing practices and movements can be performed anytime, anywhere: in the car to the...
Confessions of a high school disaster : freshman year
Chastain, Emma
Paper Book
In the tradition of Bridget Jones's Diary, a lovably flawed high school student chronicles her life as she navigates the highs and lows of family, friendship, school, and love in a diary that sparkles with humor and warmth. I'm Chloe Snow, and my life is kiiiiind of a...
The Crayons Go Back to School
Daywalt, Drew.
Paper Book
The hilarious crayons from the #1 New York Times bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit are ready to go back to school! The crayons are getting ready to go back to school and each crayon has a subject theyâe(tm)re looking forward to the most. Theyâe(tm)re also ready to meet new friends...
The day you begin /
Woodson, Jacqueline
Paper Book
A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices! National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to...
The King of Kindergarten /
Barnes, Derrick D,
Paper Book
The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.It sits and shines behind your head--like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten! Starting kindergarten is a big milestone--and the hero of this story is ready to make...
The kissing hand
Penn, Audrey
Paper Book
School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming...
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...
Maisy goes to preschool /
Cousins, Lucy.
Paper Book
Going to preschool is a lot more fun with a friend like Maisy to show you the ropes! Preschool for Maisy means a day filled with friends and things to do, from the time she hangs her coat on a special peg to the time she says good-bye. There’s painting and snack time,...
Monkey : not ready for kindergarten
Brown, Marc Tolon
Paper Book
Marc Brown, creator of the beloved Arthur books and TV show, offers a charming new character-and a fun and reassuring story about preparing for the first day of school. Kindergarten is only a week away...but Monkey is NOT ready. What if he gets on the wrong bus? What if they don...
Kindergarten fun
Kann, Victoria
Paper Book
"­Students who are learning to read will enjoy visiting a vibrant kindergarten ­classroom with ­Pinkalicious." --School Library Journal Pinkalicious gets a kindergarten buddy in this Level One I Can Read, brought to you by #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Kann!<...
A pirate's guide to first grade
Preller, James
Paper Book
Arr! It's the first day of first grade, and it's all hands on deck for a young pirate and his crew. How much trouble can they get into? What will they do at recess? And, most important, what treasure awaits them at school?
Planet Kindergarten
Ganz-Schmitt, Sue
Paper Book
A genius way to ease kids into the new adventure that is kindergarten." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review This clever picture book will prepare young explorers to boldly go where they have never gone before: Planet Kindergarten. Suit up for a daring adventure as our hero...
Rosie goes to preschool /
Katz, Karen.
Paper Book
"An outstandingly clear and reassuring entry into the crowded field ofgetting-ready-for-preschool books." -Booklist Who better to offer advice to children facing the first day of preschool than Karen Katz, the hugely popular, bestselling author of Where Is Baby...
School day! /
Ransom, Candice F.,
Paper Book
It's time for school in this Step 1 reader featuring the family from Pumpkin Day!, Apple Picking Day!, Garden Day, Snow Day, and Beach Day! The start of the new school year means new friends and new experiences! It's big sister's first day of...
School's first day of school /
Rex, Adam,
Paper Book
"An essential purchase that is simultaneously funny, frank, and soothing. A perfect first day read-aloud."― School Library Journal, starred review A heartwarming and clever first day of school tale, from New York Times bestsellers Adam Rex (The Legend...
Tiny goes back to school /
Meister, Cari.
Paper Book
Tiny is not obeying. He won't come when Elliot calls him, and he rolls over when he tells him to "sit." Looks like somebody needs to go back to school! Cari Meister uses simple language in this new level 1 reader to instill confidence in beginning readers. And because of that, it is a book young...
Ups and downs :
Wohnoutka, Mike,
Paper Book
In a feel-good concept book, the Geisel Award-winning illustrator of See the Cat gives young children a vocabulary for naming--and managing--their emotions. From delight to disgust, excitement to fear, worry to confidence, boredom to curiosity, feelings can shift in a...
Wemberly worried /
Henkes, Kevin
Paper Book
Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then it was time for school to start. And Wemberly worried even more. If you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you. Wemberly worried about spilling her juice,...

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