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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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:...
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...
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.
Dean, James,
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, Pete just keeps...
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...
We don't eat our classmates! /
Higgins, Ryan T.
Paper Book
It's the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can't wait to meet her classmates. But it's hard to make human friends when they're so darn delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all...
Pinkalicious.
Kann, Victoria.
Paper Book
Readers can watch Pinkalicious and Peterrific on the funtastic PBS Kids TV series Pinkalicious & Peterrific! A Pinkalicious I Can Read story from New York Times bestselling author Victoria Kann: It's time for school! Pinkalicious usually likes school, but she thinks of something to...
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. Named...
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 thing she...
Lucky Ducky's very first day of school /
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...
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...
Birdie's first day of school
Rim, Sujean
Paper Book
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...
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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