Back to School Books

Books about the first day of school, starting kindergarten, preschool or a new school, books that help kids learn what to expect at school and build social emotional intelligence, plus a few silly stories about school to read anytime of year!

Updated August 22, 2025
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Never, not ever!
Alemagna, Beatrice
Paper Book
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...
Alpaca goes back-a to school
Bardhan-Quallen, Sudipta
A joyful picture book about a young alpaca's first day back at school, from powerhouse team Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Leeza Hernandez The first day back to school is always a little scary, but Alpaca is ready to face the new year! With shoes tied and snack-a all...
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 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...
Lena's shoes are nervous : a first-day-of-school dilemma
Calabrese, Keith
Paper Book
In the tradition of School's First Day of School, debut author Keith Calabrese and Pura Belpré Award winner Juana Medina share a sweet, universal story about a clever little girl whose shoes are nervous about the first day of school. Today is a big day! Today, Lena starts...
Rick the rock of Room 214
Falatko, Julie
Paper Book
Even rocks have big dreams in this sweet and wacky picture book for fans of Aaron Reynolds and Mac Barnett about a display rock who longs to explore the great outdoors! Rick is a rock. For as long as he can remember, he's lived on the Nature Finds shelf in Room 214 alongside an...
Harry versus the first 100 days of school
Jenkins, Emily
Paper Book
An acclaimed author and a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator team up to bring us a funny, warm, and utterly winning chapter book that follows, day by day, the first hundred days in one first grader's classroom. One of Slate's 25 Greatest Picture Books of...
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...
Fall Is for Beginnings
Larocca, Rajani/ Alwar, Abhi (ILT)
From Newbery Honor author Rajani LaRocca and critically acclaimed illustrator Abhi Alwar, an authentic celebration of friendship and finding your place in this back-to-school picture book, the follow-up to the beloved Summer Is for Cousins Ravi can't wait for...
New
Mata, Nina
Poetic and heartwarming, Geisel Honor-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling creator Niña Mata's first authored picture book stars a young Filipina on her first day of school as she discovers the true and layered meaning of "new." In the big city, everything feels new. ...
Lola goes to school
McQuinn, Anna
Paper Book
Get your preschooler and kindergartener school ready with bestselling Lola as she heads to her first day of school. A comforting and cheerful picture book read that explores the school day and it's new routine for first time students. Lola and her family prepare for...
Home in a lunchbox
Mo, Cherry
Paper Book
**WINNER OF THE CALDECOTT HONOR** Cherry Mo's stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place. When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don't know,...
I'm new here
O'Brien, Anne Sibley.
Paper Book
Three students are immigrants from Guatemala, Korea, and Somalia and have trouble speaking, writing, and sharing ideas in English in their new American elementary school. Through self-determination and with encouragement from their peers and teachers, the students learn to feel confident and...
Truman
Reidy, Jean
Paper Book
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 A New York Times Best Children's book of 2019 A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2019 A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2019 "An enchanting tale of bravery, heroism,...
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...
Creepy crayon!
Reynolds, Aaron
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! From the team behind the New York Times bestselling Creepy Carrots! and Creepy Pair of Underwear! comes the third in this hilariously spooky series about a young rabbit and his peculiar encounters--featuring a...
I got the school spirit
Schofield-Morrison, Connie
Paper Book
Celebrate the new school year with this lively back-to-school read-aloud! Summer is over, and this little girl has got the school spirit! She hears the school spirit in the bus driving up the street--VROOM, VROOM!--and in the bell sounding in the halls--RING-A-DING!<...
Gibberish
Vo, Young
Paper Book
BEST OF THE YEAR: Kirkus · Parents Magazine · APALA · Chicago Public Library · Washington Post · Evanston Public Library · Los Angeles Public Library A touching story about the power of play to break down barriers -- perfect for back...
Luli and the language of tea
Wang, Andrea
Paper Book
Though they may speak different languages, kids from all over the world come together to enjoy the shared pastime of tea in this delicious book for young readers. When five-year-old Luli joins her new English as a Second Language class, the playroom is quiet. Luli can't speak...
The day you begin
Woodson, Jacqueline
Paper Book

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.