Children's Books About... First Day of School

These books are on the shelves of the Dorothy Henry Branch in Vernon, NJ. It will be updated as frequently as possible to ensure that the titles offered are either still on the shelves, or in some cases, up to date.

Updated February 24, 2025
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Isabel and her colores go to school /
Alessandri, Alexandra,
Paper Book
English, with its blustery blues and whites, just feels wrong to Isabel. She prefers the warm oranges and pinks of Spanish. As she prepares for class at a new school, she knows she's going to have to learn--and she would rather not! Her first day is uncomfortable, until she discovers there's more...
Time for school! /
Biggs, Brian,
Paper Book
From New York Times­-bestselling author and illustrator Brian Biggs comes the second picture book in the collectible Tinyville Town series. In this next book in the preschool series, Time for School! shows how the whole community comes together for the first day of class. Mr. Meyer picks...
Monkey.
Brown, Marc Tolon
Paper Book
The new baby is coming soon . . . but Monkey is NOT ready. Acclaimed author and illustrator Marc Brown (Arthur) offers a fun and reassuring story about becoming a big brother. Monkey is very nervous about the new baby. He likes being a little brother! Before the big...
My first day of school /
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin,
Paper Book
Young readers can learn all about what happens at school in this Pre-Level 1 Ready-to-Read with sweet text and photographs of first-time students! It's the first day of school in this early reader by Biscuit creator Alyssa Satin Capucilli. What will it be like? At school,...
Not this bear :
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin,
Paper Book
The story of an adorable bear's first day of preschool, Alyssa Satin Capucilli'sNot This Bear, featuring illustrations by Lorna Hussey. It's Bear's first day of school, and he's a bit reluctant to go. Mama says all bears love school; Bear isn't so sure. But...
It's your first day of school, Annie Claire /
Carlstrom, Nancy White
Paper Book
Is tomorrow the day? nbsp; Yes it is, my dear. The first day of school Will finally be here. nbsp; It’s Annie Claire’s first day of school, and she doesn’t know what to expect:...
Steve, raised by wolves /
Chapman, Jared
Paper Book
On the first day of school, a wild little boy learns how to fit in--and how to stand out! Just right for fans of Peter Brown's Mr. Tiger Goes Wild. "Be yourself!" Steve's mom tells him on the first day of school, and he knows just what to do. After all, wolves are great at...
Heidi Heckelbeck has a secret
Coven, Wanda.
Paper Book
Introducing Heidi Heckelbeck--a brand-new young chapter book series with witchy whimsy! Now readers between the ages of five and seven can read chapter books tailor-made for a younger level of reading comprehension. Heavily illustrated with large type, Little Simon's young...
Little Ghoul goes to school /
Czekaj, Jef,
Paper Book
Perfect for back-to-school and Halloween, this is a funny and sweet story about a monster's first day of school by the popular author-illustrator of Cat Secrets. The ideal next read for fans of First Day Jitters, My Monster Mama Loves Me So, and We Don't Eat Our Classmates. Little Ghoul is...
Get ready for second grade, Amber Brown
Danziger, Paula
Paper Book
Amber Brown is excited about starting second grade, but she is also a little nervous. There is a new second grade teacher this year. The old second grade teacher was really nice and used to smile at Amber in the hall. What if the new one isn't as nice? What if she doesn't like Amber?
Pete the Cat. Too cool for school
Dean, Kim
Paper Book
If you want to be cool, just be YOU! That's the message of this funny, relatable Pete the Cat school story--and kids will laugh and agree. Pete the Cat can't decide what to wear to school in Pete the Cat: Too Cool for School. With so many groovy options to choose from,...
Ms. Bitsy Bat's kindergarten
Edwards, Pamela Duncan.
Paper Book
This reassuring introduction to kindergarten tells the story of Groundhog, Snake, Possum, and their kindergarten class, who are getting a new teacher--and she's a bat. Full color.
30 days of no gossip
Faris, Stephanie
Paper Book
Can a middle school gossip queen change her ways, or will she lose her BFF for good? Find out in this M!X original novel. Maddie Evans prides herself on being the gossip queen of Troy Middle School. She is the first person her classmates go to when they need the latest news on...
Ten rules you absolutely must not break if you want to survive the school bus /
Grandits, John.
Paper Book
Kyle is dreading his first trip aboard the school bus. Luckily, his big brother, James, is a school bus expert. James gives Kyle ten rules for riding the bus that he absolutely, positively must obey if he wants to avoid getting laughed at or yelled at, pushed around, or even pounded. During...
Brand-new pencils, brand-new books /
De Groat, Diane
Paper Book
Gilbert, the popular star of deGroat's "New York Times" bestseller "Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink," returns in this humorous and reassuring back-to-school story, in which Gilbert experiences his first day in first grade. Full color.
Miss Mingo and the first day of school /
Harper, Jamie.
Paper Book
On sharing day in Miss Mingo's multispecies class, we learn that Cricket hears with his legs, Snake smells with his tongue, and Frog enjoys eating his own skin in this nonfiction storybook filled to the gills with laughter -- and learning. If there's an elephant in the classroom...
We don't eat our classmates! /
Higgins, Ryan T.
Paper Book
A fresh take on first-day-of-school-jitters with Penelope Rex, a dinosaur with a taste for children, from the author of the New York Times bestselling MOTHER BRUCE series, Ryan T. Higgins. It's the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can't wait to meet her...
Spot loves school /
Hill, Eric,
Paper Book
Enjoy the first day of school with Spot! It's Spot's first day of school! He and his friends sing together, play together, and read together. When it's time to go home, Spot can't wait to come back tomorrow! Young readers will love going to school with their favorite puppy Spot.
My first day
Jenkins, Steve
Paper Book
The first day of life is different for every animal. Human newborns don't do much at all, but some animals hit the ground running. The Caldecott Honor-winning team Steve Jenkins and Robin Page apply their considerable talents to revealing how twenty two different species, from the...
School rules!
Kann, Victoria.
Paper Book
When Pinkalicious brings her imaginary unicorn, Goldie, to class one day, she learns that with her companion by her side, school rules!
Lionel at school
Krensky, Stephen
Paper Book
The new school year brings lessons for Lionel to explore with his class. But Lionel has to find out some things by himself. For example, what will his teacher tell his parents on Back-to-School Night? Can the new boy really wrestle polar bears? And how can Lionel make classtime go by as quickly as...
Chicken in school /
Lehrhaupt, Adam,
Paper Book
Join Zoey the chicken for a tour of her unusual classroom in this celebration of creativity, friendship, and tasty snacks. When Zoey decides to turn the barn into a school and become a teacher, everyone in the barnyard learns that the best part of school is using your imagination.<...
Logan likes Mary Anne!
Martin, Ann M.,
Paper Book
Another Baby-sitters Club graphic novel adapted by New York Times bestselling author Gale Galligan! It's the first day of a new school year, and while Mary Anne doesn't know what to expect from the eighth grade, she's looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. One...
Monster truck
Mayer, Mercer
Paper Book
Join Mercer Mayer's beloved character Little Critter at a Monster Truck Rally in this My First I Can Read book! Perfect for fans of trucks and cars. Little Critter wants a new toy Squisher truck! For two weeks, Little Critter does chores to pay for it--he lets the dog in, takes out...
Strangeville School is totally normal
Miller, Darcy
Paper Book
This new highly-illustrated series is guaranteed to make you laugh so hard milk will come out of your nose! Strangeville School is the wackiest, most dangerous school you will ever attend...and you'll desperately want to come back for more! Harvey Hill just wants other kids to...
The fashion disaster that changed my life /
Myracle, Lauren,
Paper Book
Alli longs to be popular, but fate just keeps conspiring to make her totallyuncool. Who else would be humiliated by a piece of her mom's underwear stuck to her butt by static cling? Despite the fact that Alli is certain the universe is plotting against her, she does eventually break into...
Vivian Lantz's second chances /
Ormsbee, Katie.
Paper Book
Groundhog Day meets Eighth Grade in this time-loop story set on the first day of school, from the critically acclaimed author of Candidly Cline. Vivian Lantz is cursed. Every year, terrible things happen on her first day of school. This year, Vivian has a plan to conquer...
My first day /
Phung, Nguyen Quang,
Paper Book
A visually stunning story of resilience and determination by an award-winning new author-illustrator team, perfect for back to school. This is no ordinary first journey. The rainy season has come to the Mekong Delta, and An, a young Vietnamese boy, sets out alone in a wooden boat...
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?
Birdie's first day of school
Rim, Sujean
Paper Book
Tomorrow is Birdie's first day of school and she is just SO nervous. What will her teacher be like? What should she bring? What should she WEAR? When Birdie walks into her brand-new classroom . . . oh my! A whole new world opens up as she discovers all the fun and adventure...
First grade stinks
Rodman, Mary Ann.
Paper Book
No share time! Only one recess! Writing is hard! The stories don't end right! FIRST GRADE STINKS! It is the first day of school and Hayley is excited. Things are different now. She isn't a kindergartener anymore; she is a big kid. She is a first grader. ...
It's the first day of school-- forever!
Stine, R. L.
Paper Book
On the first day of school, Artie falls out of his bed and hits his head. Hard. He tells his mom he's dizzy and she says, "You're just worried about your first day in a new school." At breakfast, his little brother, Eddie, splashes syrup in his hair, and there's no time to wash it. Artie...
Ruby's tools for making friends /
Stott, Apryl,
Paper Book
A little fox uses tools to overcome anxiety and make friends at her new school in this heartfelt picture book from the creator of the New York Times bestseller Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light! It's Ruby the fox's first day at a new school. She's a little...
Amanda Pig, schoolgirl
Van Leeuwen, Jean.
Paper Book
Finally, finally, finally it is the day Amanda has been waiting for--the first day of school! But someone on the bus doesn't look as happy as Amanda, so she uses her cheeriest, friendliest, most charming ways to warm the heart of that sad someone. 46 color illustrations.
Max at school /
Wells, Rosemary
Paper Book
Learn to read with beloved bunnies Max and Ruby in this fun rhyming story! Max waves good-bye to his parents, boards the bus with Ruby, and heads to school with his book and lunch box in tow. There he sings songs, paints pictures, and even gets to dress up like a pirate! Once the...
On the Night Before Kindergarten
Wells, Rosemary
Paper Book
Beloved author-illustrator Rosemary Wells tells the story of a young cat who goes to bed worrying about what might happen on the first day of school--only to be pleasantly surprised in this engaging and reassuring picture book! On the night before kindergarten, Milo's dreams are...
The pigeon has to go to school! /
Willems, Mo.
Paper Book
Mo Willems, #1 New York Times best-selling creator and three-time Caldecott Honoree, presents everyone's favorite Pigeon trying to escape . . . SCHOOL.   Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the...
The night before first grade /
Wing, Natasha.
Paper Book
It's the night before the Big Day-first grade. Penny is excited to start the year with her best friend right beside her in the same classroom. This humorous take on Clement C. Moore's classic tale has a perfect twist ending that will surprise readers-as well as the "heroine" of the story-and help...
Mom, it's my first day of kindergarten! /
Yum, Hyewon.
Paper Book
It's a child's first day of kindergarten, but who is worried about all the new people and the different things he'll meet--the child? No! The mother. In a refreshing reversal of roles, the child takes it upon himself to comfort and reassure his mother that everything will be fine, she'll get used...

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