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, B©♭atrice
Paper Book
A perfect back-to-school book...with a twist! For little kids everywhere who feel anxious leaving home to go back to school. A Kids' Indie Next Pick! Never, Not Ever! is the instant classic from Beatrice Alemagna--a laugh-out-loud tribute to little kids everywhere who would...
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...
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...
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 or not the sandwich must be their...
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...
Gibberish
Vo, Young
Paper Book
BEST OF THE YEAR Kirkus · Parents · Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association · Chicago Public Library · Washington Post · Evanston Public Library · Los Angeles Public Library Charlotte Huck Recommended Book Common Sense Media...
A thousand white butterflies
Betancourt-Perez, Jessica
Paper Book
As if being new to the United States wasn't hard enough, Isabella's first day of school is canceled due to snow! Isabella has recently arrived from Colombia with her mother and abuela. She misses Papa, who is still in South America. It's her first day of school, her make-new...
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, andBeach Day! The start of the new school year means new friends and new experiences! It's big sister's first day of 3rd...
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...
Puppy bus
Brockington, Drew
Paper Book
Puppy Bus is a hilarious back-to-school picture book from the creator of CatStronauts, Drew Brockington. When a boy and his family move, he has to start all over at a new school--and gets plenty of first day jitters. The teachers will be different, he...
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...
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...
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,...
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,...
Tomatoes in my lunchbox
Manoli, Costantia
Paper Book
A moving picture book from a debut author about the first day of school, layered with themes about the immigrant experience and the universal experience of feeling out of place. A child, newly arrived in another country, feels displaced, lonely, and a little scared on her first...
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 the 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...
Shy Robin
Kim, Jaime
Paper Book
A little hippo finds that looking out for a new friend can turn shyness into bravery in Jaime Kim's sweetly illustrated story about the first day of school. Mom always calls Robin a big, brave hippo, but on the first day of school she just wants to hide. Even though Mom gives her...
Hattie Harmony : worry detective : detective is in
Olsen, Elizabeth
Paper Book
An instant #1 New York Timesbestseller! 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...
Welcome back!
Penfold, Alexandra
Paper Book
A back-to-school celebration featuring the beloved characters from the New York Times-bestselling All Are Welcome! This Step 2 early reader is perfect for emerging readers who are excited to learn more at school. The sun is up.      ...
Kalamata's kitchen
Thomas, Sarah (Sommelier)
Paper Book
Dora the Explorer meets No Reservationsin this delicious picture book debut! Follow Kalamata and her alligator sidekick on the first of many exciting food adventures in a charming story about facing fears and overcoming back-to-school jitters. Grown-ups never...
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,...
Choo-choo 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 -...
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...
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...
I got the school spirit
Schofield-Morrison, Connie
Paper Book
This exuberant celebration of the first day of school illustrated by award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison will have every kid cheering for school to begin! Summer is over, and this little girl has got the school spirit! She hears the school spirit in the bus driving up the...
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,...

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