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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 August 18, 2025
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Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Clifford goes to kindergarten
Bridwell, Norman
Paper Book
Head to kindergarten with Clifford and Emily Elizabeth in this jacketed hardcover edition of the classic story!Clifford joins Emily Elizabeth for her first day of kindergarten! Emily Elizabeth is nervous about making new friends and missing home. But with Clifford by her side in class to sing...
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...
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...
Goodnight school /
Bailey, Catherine
Paper Book
School's First Day of School meets Good Night, Gorilla in this irresistible bedtime story about School getting ready to go to sleep! As the sun sets, a security guard arrives to help this sleepy little school get some rest. From tucking in chairs to...
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...
The night before first grade /
Wing, Natasha.
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER . Putting an uplifting spin on a classic poem, this charmingly illustrated and lyrical picture book prepares kids-and their parents!-for all the firsts that first grade has to offer. "T'was the night before first grade. I kissed my dog Clover.<...
The night before kindergarten
Wing, Natasha.
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSSELLER . Putting an uplifting spin on a classic poem, this charmingly illustrated and lyrical picture book about starting kindergarten will help kids-and their parents!-prepare for the big day. "T'was the night before kindergarten, And as...
Old School
Korman, Gordon.
Paper Book
Twelve. . . going on eighty? Dexter is twelve years old and lives at The Pines Retirement Village with his grandmother. He's been home-schooled by the residents since he was six -- until the day the truant officer shows up and announces that Dex has to go to the local public school. ...
Pete the kitty's first day of preschool /
Dean, James,
Paper Book
Pete the Kitty is almost ready for his first day of preschool! Preschoolers and little ones getting ready to go to preschool for the first time will enjoy cheering Pete the Kitty's fun entry to preschool. It's a big day for Pete the Kitty: his first day of preschool! He...
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...
Wemberly worried /
Henkes, Kevin
Paper Book
Wemberly is the original worrywart. Her mother tells her not to worry. Her father tells her not to worry. Even her grandmother tells her not to worry. But Wemberly worries. She worries about everything from the crack in the living room wall ("What if it gets bigger and something...

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