Back to School Book List
What books are you reading to get ready for back to school?
Reading books about all those “Back to School” feelings and values will help prepare your children for school. I like a balanced mix of “Back to School” books and books that encourage values I feel are especially important for school. Check out the list below for my favorite books to kick the year off with!
School’s First Day of School | by Adam Rex & Christian Robinson
This is one of my new favorite back to school reads. It’s a book about the first day of school, written from the point of view of a newly built school that has never had students before.
The School Book | by Todd Parr
With this book filled with colorful and silly illustrations, Todd Parr walks students through all the fun things you do at school. This is a great read for home or the first weeks of school.
The Day You Begin | by Jaqueline Woodson and Rafael López
Beautiful story about how everyone is unique and that we all have more in common than we may think. This is a great book to read at the beginning of the year to help students embrace their uniqueness and also encourage them to learn about their peers and make connections about things they have in common.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School | by Mo Willems
Pigeon expresses all those nervous feelings and concerns that arise when it’s time to go back to school and he does it in a hilarious and relatable way. By the end of the story he sees what he has to gain from going to school and decides he HAS to go to school.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? | by Carol McCloud
Prompts conversation about the importance of being kind and how it makes you and others feel.
First Day Jitters | by Julie Danneberg
Charming and familiar story of first day nerves that ends with a twist. It’s not just the students that get nervous about a new school year…
The Book With No Pictures | by B.J. Novak
Hilarious book that proves books don’t need pictures to be fun. This book is great for children transitioning from picture books to books with more text and less or no pictures.
David Goes to School | by David Shannon
David shows readers what you are not supposed to do at school, which makes it a great book to naturally bring up school rules and why they are important to follow.
H is for Happy – An Emoji ABC Book | by Evan Nimke
When I found this book last year it quickly became one of my new favorites. It uses emojis to discuss social-emotional language from A to Z. Being able to identify and communicate feelings is a powerful tool for children that will help them both socially and academically.
Beautiful Oops! | by Barney Saltzberg
This books teaches that it’s ok to make mistakes and that mistakes can be marvelous learning experiences. This book is especially great to read before trying a new type of project in class. It encourages perseverance and creativity, two key skills in 21st century learning.
I’m A Frog | by Mo Willems
This book is a great conversation starter for discussing what imagination and pretend play are.
A Bad Case of the Stripes | by David Shannon
This book is about a girl who is worried about what others think of her. This story engages students in conversation about learning to be yourself and being comfortable in your own skin.
Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses | by Kimberly and James Dean
The Pete the Cat series is all about being positive and looking on the brightside. This book from the series in particular is great for various ages.
What Should Danny Do? | by Ganit and Adir Levy
Interactive book that is written in a “Choose Your Own Story” style. The reader helps the main character, Danny, make choices throughout his day that are choices children face on a daily basis. This is a book you can read many times and children enjoy seeing how making different decisions for Danny changes the story. This book is great for teaching social-emotional skills and empowering children to take ownership of the decisions they make.
The Kissing Hand | by Audrey Penn
This classic is great to read for a pre-first day meet and greet or on the first day of school. Separation can be very difficult for some children and parents and this story does a beautiful job bringing those feelings to light and giving comfort.
My Mouth Is a Volcano | by Julia Cook
This book shows what it means to interrupt, how it can be frustrating and gives us the opportunity to discuss why we try not to interrupt others as well as techniques to help us wait our turn.
The Family Book | Todd Parr
This is a great book to read to read at the beginning of the year when students are learning about their classmates and their families. This books help open the conversation about how all families are different and unique.
The Paper Bag Princess | by Robert Munsch
This story defies the typical princess stereotype and shows that princesses can be heroes too.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar | by Eric Carle
Familiar story that is great for reviewing the days of the week.
Don’t Squeal Unless It’s a BIG Deal: A Tale of Tattles | by Jeanie Franz Ransom
This book helps children figure out the difference between problems they can work out themselves and problems they need adult assistance with.
Pirates Go to School | by Corinne Demas
What if Everybody Did That? | Ellen Javernick
Pete the Cat: Too Cool For School | by Kimberley and James Dean
The Day the Crayons Quit | by Drew Daywalt
The Interrupting Chicken | by David Ezra Stein
Waiting Is Not Easy | Mo Willems
The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School | Deborah Diesen
BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK WISHLIST:
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse | by Kevin Henkes
Dinosaur vs. School | by Bob Shea
Rosie Revere, Engineer | by Andrea Beaty
Maddi’s Fridge | by Lois Brandt, illustrated by Vin Vogel
She Persisted – 13 American Women Who Changed the World | by Chelsea Clinton
If You Take a Mouse to School | by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Chrysanthemum | by Kevin Henke
How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? | by Jane Yolen
*This post was originally published on BookNook Learning on August 14, 2018
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