Books for Kids: First Day of School

Take a look at some of our Picture Books & Early Readers all about the first day of school!

Updated August 4, 2023
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Never, not ever!
Alemagna, Béatrice
Paper Book
And then comes school
Brenner, Tom
Paper Book
Joyful anticipation is in the air as a child observes cues that the first day of school is coming soon. Cooler mornings, cicadas buzzing, apples ripening . . . Can shopping for school supplies be far behind? The evening before the first day means laying out your outfit, loading...
The crayons go back to school
Daywalt, Drew
Paper Book
The hilarious crayons from the #1 New York Times bestselling 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 they're looking forward to the most. They're also ready to meet...
This is a school
Schu, John
Paper Book
A moving celebration of school and all it may signify: work and play, creativity and trust, and a supportive community that extends beyond walls A school isn't just a building; it is all the people who work and learn together. It is a place for discovery and asking questions. A...
Gibberish
Vo, Young
Paper Book
It's Dat's first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn't know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says -- from the school bus driver to his new classmates -- sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can't...
Ready for kindergarten
Freitas, Bethany V.
Paper Book
A reassuring and empowering book for all incoming kindergarteners, especially those who wonder: Am I ready? You are! The unknown can be scary and the first day of school intimidating, for kids and the grownups who love them. Perfect for easing nerves and increasing excitement, Ready for...
Becoming Vanessa
Brantley-Newton, Vanessa
Paper Book
Get ready to go back to school with this inclusive, empathetic story that will help kids new to the classroom transform from timid caterpillars into beautiful butterflies who love exactly who they are! On Vanessa's first day of school, her parents tell her it will be easy to make...
Beach toys vs. school supplies
Ciccotello, Mike
Paper Book
Shovel thinks Ruler is a know-it-all who can't loosen up. Ruler thinks Shovel is all play and no work. One sunny seaside afternoon, their two gangs challenge one another to a sandcastle-building contest, and the competition gets heated. Who will build the best castle? Who will have more fun? And...
El Cucuy is scared, too!
Higuera, Donna Barba
Paper Book
In El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!, a boy and his monster confront their mutual fears in this unlikely friendship story that's rooted in Mexican folklore from Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Award-winning author Donna Barba Higuera and illustrator Juliana Perdomo.
Tomatoes in my lunchbox
Manoli, Costantia
Paper Book
A child, newly arrived in another country, feels displaced, lonely, and a little scared on her first day of school. Her name doesn't sound the way she's used to hearing it. She knows she doesn't fit in. And when she eats her whole tomato for lunch, she can feel her classmates observing her--and not...
Hurry, Little Tortoise, time for school!
Finison, Carrie
Paper Book
It's the first day of school and Little Tortoise is worried. Can she get there on time? It's the first day of school and Little Tortoise is ready with a backpack filled with new school supplies. Little Tortoise can't wait to get to school and tries very hard not to be the last...
Giant-sized butterflies on my first day of school
Roberts, Justin
Paper Book
Find out how butterflies in your tummy are a good thing in this fresh take on being nervous for the first day of school. When a little girl wakes up on the first day of school, the butterflies in her stomach feel positively giant-sized! She really wants her mom to stay with her,...
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...
Mr. S
Arnaldo, Monica
Paper Book
Prepare for plenty of giggles as a kindergarten class arrives for their first day of school but can't find their teacher--only a delicious-looking sandwich and the words "Mr. S" scribbled on the chalkboard. Chaos ensues as the kids argue whether the sandwich must be their teacher. A comical first...
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,...
How to get your octopus to school
Scharnhorst, Becky
Paper Book
*"A charming, eight-armed hug of a story that won't hide long on library shelves"-- School Library Journal (starred review) Learn how to get your octopus to school in this hilarious and endearing back-to-school story! Getting your octopus to school won't be...
Danbi leads the school parade
Kim, Anna
Paper Book
An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book Meet Danbi, the new girl at school! Danbi is thrilled to start her new school in America. But a bit nervous too, for when she walks into the classroom, everything goes quiet. Everyone stares. Danbi wants to...
The best seat in first grade
Kenah, Katharine
Paper Book
This heartfelt story is just right for all children getting ready for first grade and other big early steps! On the first day of first grade, Sam is excited to share his news with the class. While some kids report losing a tooth or going to soccer camp, Sam tells the class that his...
The shape of home
Kheiriyeh, Rashin
Paper Book
Hattie Harmony : worry detective
Olsen, Elizabeth
Paper Book
An instant #1 New York Times bestseller! Award-winning actress Elizabeth Olsen and esteemed musician Robbie Arnett have created a fresh approach to wellness in a new series that shows children ways to manage anxiety. A perfect back-to-school read! Meet Hattie...
All are welcome
Penfold, Alexandra
Paper Book
Join the call for a better world with this New York Times bestselling picture book about a school where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. The perfect back-to-school read for every kid, family and classroom! In our classroom safe and sound. Fears are lost and...
Choo-choo school : all aboard for the first day of school!
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse
Paper Book
No racing in the haul-ways! From the late, beloved author Amy Krouse Rosenthal, a look at seven adorable train cars on their first day of school. All aboard the train-car pool! A new lineup of students is off and rolling to Choo-Choo School. After reciting their classroom rules -...
Time for school, little blue truck
Schertle, Alice
Paper Book
Ride along to school with the #1 New York Times bestselling Little Blue Truck and meet Blue's new friend: a bright yellow school bus. Beep-beep! Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are excited to meet a bright yellow school bus on the road. They see all the little...
That's not my name!
Syed, Anoosha
Paper Book
A debut picture book about loving your name, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself from the critically acclaimed illustrator of Bilal Cooks Daal and I Am Perfectly Designed. Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play,...
The truth about dragons
Zollars, Jaime
Paper Book
A mesmerizing picture book about the excitement (and often times anxiety) of a new experience, represented by a castle full of dragons that aren't quite what they appear.   As a young girl cautiously approaches a castle full of soaring, roaring dragons, she worries about...

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