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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Arthur's back to school day
Hoban, Lillian.
Paper Book
While hurrying to get on the school bus, Arthur and his friend unknowingly switch their lunchboxes; later Arthur finds out what surprise his sister had put into hers.
Bear with me
Kerascot︠
Paper Book
An endearing picture book from two New York Times bestselling creators about a little girl who learns to cope when she is asked to leave her beloved stuffed animal at home. A child's favorite stuffed animal is a member of the family. This little girl and her bear are no...
Bitsy Bat, School Star
Windness, Kaz
Paper Book
Three starred reviews! 2024 Bank Street Best Children's Book Selection A little bat struggles to fit in only to learn to celebrate differences in this "darling book for all children but especially those with autism" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)...
Breathe like a bear : 30 mindful moments for kids to feel calm and focused anytime, anywhere
Willey, Kira
Paper Book
Get your kids ready to conquer back  to school anxiety with this collection of 30 mindfulness meditations and exercises to help kids feel calm, focused, and energized wherever they are. Breathe Like a Bear is a beautifully illustrated collection of mindfulness...
Confessions of a high school disaster :
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...
Countdown to kindergarten
McGhee, Alison
Paper Book
It's just ten days before kindergarten, and this little girl has heard all there is to know--from afirst grader--about what it's going to be like. You can't bring your cat, you can't bring a stuffed animal, and the number one rule? You can't ask anyone for help. Ever. So what do you do...
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...
D.W.'s guide to preschool
Brown, Marc Tolon.
Paper Book
D.W., Arthur's fun and sassy little sister, stars in this humorous guide to a child's very first day of school. From naps to snacks to playtime, D.W. covers it all in this helpful and hilarious guidebook to a very important rite of passage. Full color.
David goes to school
Shannon, David
Paper Book
A companion to the Caldecott Honor-winning classic No, David!by bestselling picture-book creator David Shannon!David's teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David's high-energy antics fill each schoolday with trouble -- and are sure to bring a smile to...
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...
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. ...
First grade, here I come!
Carlson, Nancy L.
Paper Book
After the first day of first grade, Henry's not so sure how he feels about it. The teacher is not like his kindergarten teacher, the fifth-graders hog the monkey bars, and there are too many new things to learn! But as Henry tells his mother about the cool classroom science corner, a new friend who...
The first week of school /
Beckmeyer, Drew,
Paper Book
Follow along as an ensemble cast of characters experience an extraordinary first week of school in this hilarious picture book that's perfect for fans of Jon Klassen and Lucy Ruth Cummins! It's the first day of school. An artist wonders if her drawings are good enough to show. An...
K is for kindergarten /
Dealey, Erin.
Paper Book
Here comes kindergarten! Whether your little reader is gearing up for the first day or making her way through the school year, K is for Kindergarten will help guide them with silly rhymes and fun activities from A to Z.
Kindergarten diary
Portis, Antoinette.
Paper Book
Starting kindergarten can be a little scary. But Annalina shows us there are lots of new and exciting things to look forward to--meeting your teacher, playing on the monkey bars, feeding the pet tortoise, and making new friends. Experience the ups and downs of the first days of kindergarten...
Kindergarten hat /
Lawler, Janet.
Paper Book
Carlos Abredo is scared to start kindergarten, but a special teacher with an amazing hat helps give him the confidence to start the school year with a smile. "A practically perfect first-experience story, especially for anxious hearts and gentle spirits." Kirkus...
Kindergarten luck /
Borden, Louise
Paper Book
What makes a lucky day? One gloomy morning Theodore found a bright, shiny penny on the way down to breakfast. There was Abraham Lincoln, face up. What luck!  'Oh THANK you, Mr. Famous President!' Theodore said.  And he tucked that shiny, new...
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...
Llama Llama misses Mama /
Dewdney, Anna.
Paper Book
Strange new teacher. Strange new toys. Lots of kids and lots of noise! What would Llama like to do? Llama Llama feels so new . . . It's Llama Llama's first day of preschool! And Llama Llama's mama makes sure he's ready. They meet the teachers. See the...
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?
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,...
My kindergarten /
Wells, Rosemary
Paper Book
It's the first day of school, and Emily and her friends are welcomed into the exciting world of kindergarten by Miss Cribbage. The first day marks the beginning of a whole year's worth of new experiences and discoveries: learning the alphabet, drawing a map, counting to ten, telling the time and...
My preschool /
Rockwell, Anne F.
Paper Book
Join a happy little boy during a day at preschool, from cheerful hellos in circle time, to painting colorful pictures and playing at the water table before snack time. The best part of saying good-bye at the end of the day is that the little boy knows he will come back tomorrow. In her...
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...
The night before preschool
Wing, Natasha.
Paper Book
It's the night before preschool, and a little boy named Billy is so nervous he can't fall asleep. The friends he makes the next day at school give him a reason not to sleep the next night, either- he's too excited about going back! The book's simple rhyming text and sweet illustrations will soothe...
Off to first grade
Borden, Louise.
Paper Book
It's the first day of first grade, and everyone in Mrs. Miller's class is getting ready! Anna is excited about reading zillions of books, Ben's mom gives him a big off-to-first-grade hug, and Claire poses for a first-day picture. In Off to First Grade we hear from all twenty-three of Mrs....
Pinkalicious :
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...
The Queen of Kindergarten /
Barnes, Derrick,
Paper Book
A confident little Black girl has a fantastic first day of school in this companion to the New York Times bestseller The King of Kindergarten. MJ is more than ready for her first day of kindergarten! With her hair freshly braided and her mom's special tiara on her...
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,...
Robert and the back-to school special
Seuling, Barbara.
Paper Book
Robert's return to third grade isn't as auspicious as he had hoped. When his classmates start laughing at him, he decides it's because of his curly hair, which has grown long over the summer. He convinces his friend Paul to give him a haircut, with disastrous results. Then he begs his brother...
School
McCully, Emily Arnold.
Paper Book
School time! Everyone heads out the door, even little Bitty, who follows herbig brothers and sisters to school. In class, Bitty stays busy with math, reading, and snack time. But when Mama comes for her, the youngest student finds that she is most happy to return home. This story about a...
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...
Tyrannosaurus wrecks :
Gibbs, Stuart,
Paper Book
In the latest novel in New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs's FunJungle series, Teddy Fitzroy returns as FunJungle's resident sleuth to solve his most improbable mystery yet--with a victim that's 65 million years old. Teddy was all set for a campout at his friend...
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
Cassette
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, about shrinking...

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