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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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...
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
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...
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...
Little Ghoul goes to school /
Czekaj, Jef,
Paper Book
Perfect for back-to-school and Halloween, this is a funny and sweet story about a monster's first day of school by the popular author-illustrator of Cat Secrets. The ideal next read for fans of First Day Jitters, My Monster Mama Loves Me So, and We Don't Eat Our Classmates. ...
Get ready for second grade, Amber Brown
Danziger, Paula
Audiobook
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,...
We don't eat our classmates! /
Higgins, Ryan T.
Paper Book
A fresh take on first-day-of-school-jitters with Penelope Rex, a dinosaur with a taste for children, from the author of the New York Times bestselling MOTHER BRUCE series, Ryan T. Higgins. It's the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can't wait to meet her...
Spot loves school /
Hill, Eric,
Paper Book
Enjoy the first day of school with Spot! It's Spot's first day of school! He and his friends sing together, play together, and read together. When it's time to go home, Spot can't wait to come back tomorrow! Young readers will love going to school with their favorite puppy Spot.
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 and Little Sister as they get ready for school in this My First I Can Read book! It's the night before the first day of school and Little Sister is ready. Backpack--check! Pencils--check! Notebook--check! But...
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...
Vivian Lantz's second chances /
Ormsbee, Katie.
Paper Book
Groundhog Day meets Eighth Grade in this time-loop story set on the first day of school, from the critically acclaimed author of Candidly Cline. Vivian Lantz is cursed. Every year, terrible things happen on her first day of school. This year, Vivian has a plan to conquer eighth grade. But...
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
Tomorrow is Birdie's first day of school and she is just SO nervous. What will her teacher be like? What should she bring? What should she WEAR? When Birdie walks into her brand-new classroom . . . oh my! A whole new world opens up as she discovers all the fun and adventure...
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...
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...

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