The pencils are sharpened, glue bottles are filled, and the backpacks are stuffed. It’s time for school. Starting a new school year initiates feelings of excitement, anticipation, and maybe even fear. This ultimate list of back to school books will cover all your needs.
Back to School Books for All Your Needs
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Need a book list about making friends? Could you use a book to prepare for a substitute? Would you like an awesome read-aloud for the first day of school? I’ve got you covered! Here are all the topics that come up at the beginning of the school year.
All About School Books For Children
First Day of School
Need a book to get the students excited about a new school year? Try Sounds Like School Spirit by Meg Fleming. It’s got a call and response cheer built-in on almost every page. It’s full of rhythm and fast-paced. A hit for a first-day read-aloud.
This Is a School by John Schu shows us there are a lot of people who make up a school from the students to the librarians. And, a school is a place for discovery, wonder, trying, failing, and trying again. Most of all a school is a community where we all come together.
If you want to walk kids through how their day will go, check out We’re Going to School by Tammi Salzano. It starts with the sun coming up and getting dressed in the morning all the way to home time.
And, here are even more first day of school reads.
The first day of school evokes lots of emotions from anxiety to excitement. Share these great read-alouds about the big day.—>FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL BOOKS
Another fun one to read is told from the perspective of the school on its first day. Check out School’s First Day of School by Rex.
Books That Take Place at School
What Do We Do All Day? has an early chapter book list featuring stories that take place at school. My third graders always loved Sideways Stories from Wayside School.
Stories About Starting a New Grade
Moving to a new grade comes with unique challenges. Check out these grade level back to school books.
Preschool
Get ready to start preschool with these first day of school preschool books.
Kindergarten
Here are a few newer kindergarten reads.
MJ is ready for school. Her mom gives her a special tiara to help remind her of all the good things she brings to the classroom. It’s such a positive message of being your best and spreading your joy to others. We should all don our visible or invisible tiara and take this message into the new school year. Check out The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes. And, don’t miss The King of Kindergarten.
Ready for Kindergarten by Bethany V. Freitas helps young children see that they know and are able to do all the things that are expected for starting kindergarten. They are truly ready for this new adventure!
Twindergarten by Ehrlich is the story of twins who will be in different classrooms for kindergarten.
Amanda’s idea of kindergarten doesn’t go according to plan in Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten by Ransom.
Jump into kindergarten with Super Saurus Saves Kindergartenby Underwood.
And, here are more books about starting kindergarten books from Coffee Cups and Crayons.
First Grade
Jump into first grade with this list from Sleeping Should Be Easy.
Books About Separation
Separation from home or loved ones can be tough for kids. Here are a few books to help: Fred Stays With Me by Coffelt, Ira Sleeps Over by Waber, and Juna’s Jar by Bahk.
Fitting In Stories
Finding your place in a new setting has its challenges. Read Chee-Kee: A Panda in Bearland by Rim is a great one to read with the kids. The Panda family has just moved to Bearland, but they just don’t feel like they fit in with the other bears. They eat different foods and play different games. Will they ever feel a part of the bear community?
We’re All Wonders by Palacio is a good one to read to the whole class. It’s a great conversation starter about acceptance and helping everyone fit into their surroundings.
Books About Friends for Kids
Welcoming new friends to the classroom is so important. Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome by Kat Zhang is the story of a new student joining the classroom and not being able to communicate in English. Even though our new classmates might not speak the same language, we can still make them feel welcome.
Help kids make friends with this making friends book list.
And, then help them be a good friend with this being a good friend book list from Childhood 101.
Books About Names
Our name is one of the first words we learn and for kids, it’s one of their favorite words. Help your class learn their classmates’ names and explore their own names with these books.—>BOOKS ABOUT NAMES
Books About Teachers
Some kids are always amazed that their teachers don’t sleep at school.
Have you ever seen a teacher out in the wild? My students were always so surprised to see me at the grocery store. Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds is a hilarious read about finding your teacher out of her natural habitat and the lengths a student will go to return her where she belongs.
Here are some more fun books about teachers that Boy Mama Teacher Mama shares.
Books About Building Classroom Community
We strive for creating a supportive, positive, and growth mindset community. This Classroom Meeting Books list from Proud to be Primary provides lots of books to build that safe community.
Also, check out the newer Tool School by Holub about a group of tools that learn to work together to get things done.
Positive Attitude & Growth Mindset Books
Helping kids get in the right mindset to learn and grow is so important. These books will help encourage conversation around the topic.
The Importance of Having a Positive Attitude
Trying New Things from What Do We Do All Day?
Books that Inspire Kids to Learn from Edventures with Kids
Encouraging Desired Behavior At School Books
There will be times when our kiddos have tough times whether that is not getting along with others, being honest, or struggling to be good listeners. There are books that can help with all these specific situations.—>BOOKS FOR REDIRECTING AND PROMOTING GOOD BEHAVIOR
Books About Getting to School
Explore the transportation involved in getting to school with these books.
Children around the world by many different means. Explore all the different ways in This Is The Way We Go to School by Baer.
Kids will discover that many children around the world have dangerous trips just to get to school for an education in The Way to School by McCarney.
Need to talk about bus safety and rules, warm up with School Bus by Crews. Or, read The Little School Bus by Cuyler.
Stories About School Routines
Wow! School! by Neubecker is a good teacher read aloud that will open up a conversation about the parts of the school day and could be read before a tour of the building.
Another funny one is The Gingerbread Loose in the Schoolby Murray.
Switching classrooms and meeting new teachers can be exciting and confusing. Read about each place you will visit or the teacher you will meet.
Library: The Best Book to Read by Bertram, We’re Going on a Book Hunt by Miller, or Lola at the Libraryby McQuinn
I also like to talk about our classroom library and the reading that will take place in our space. A Place to Read by Hodgkinson is a good book to use to discuss “just right” reading spots.
Physical Education: The Gym Teacher From the Black Lagoonby Thaler or The Busy Body Book: A Kid’s Guide to Fitness by Rockwell
Art: Too Much Glue by Lefebvre is a fun one for talking about the just right amount of glue to use. Art is Basic also shares a neat list of books to read on the first day of art class.
Music: Max Found Two Sticks by Pinkney or I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Celloby Garriel
Lunch Room and Recess: Manners in the Lunchroom by Tourville or The Recess Queenby O’Neill
Then there is that first fire drill. Read Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill by Harper.
And, now we have intruder drills too. Those can be a bit scary for everyone involved. Rachel Copeland created a book to help explain those drills to kids and it’s called, I Can Be a Superhero During a Lockdown.
And, then we have picture day. Read School Picture Day by Plourde. This series also has a book for Science Fair Day, Book Fair Day, and Field Trip Day.
And take away the anxiety of getting the perfect picture with On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex. A little girl wakes up with gum stuck in her hair. Then, more and more things become stuck from the scissors to the cat. And guess what! Today is picture day. This makes a super fun and silly read-aloud with students.
Books About Class Pets
Do you have a class pet or are you thinking of getting a class pet? Here are a few read-alouds: The Teacher’s Pet by Rissi or 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos by Velde.
Beginning of the Year Chapter Book Read-Alouds
Wouldn’t it be nice to have all the chapter books you wanted to read aloud planned out for the entire year? I’ve got you covered. In fact, you can even print the downloadable lists to keep in your lesson planner.
Read Aloud Chapter Books for Preschoolers
Read Aloud Chapter Books for Kindergarteners
Read Aloud Chapter Books for First Graders
Books About Having a Substitute Teacher
There will be a time that the kids will have a substitute and that can be tough for everyone involved. Here are a few read-alouds to talk about the experience and the expectations.
Cat finds himself in charge of a room of kittens in Here Comes The Teacher Cat by Underwood.
Enjoy the classic Miss Nelson is Missing by Allard before your first day away.
Imagine leaving your day off plans instead of the teaching plans for the day. That is what happens in Substitute Teacher Plans by Johnson.
100th Day of School Books for Kids
It’s time to celebrate 100 days in with Miss Mingo and the 100th Day of School by Jamie Harper. Miss Mingo’s class shows all the way to make 100 and in the process learns some fun animal facts too.
End of the Year Books to Read Aloud to Students
Perhaps you are switching schools or leaving teaching. You’ll want to read Mrs. McBee Leaves Room 3to the kids.
Do you feel ready for the new school year to start? You now have lots of books to read with the kids to start the year.
Join the FREE Growing Book by Book Community and Get the Printable Back to School Book List as a Thank You Gift!
Grab a printable book list of all the books above as a thank you gift for becoming a VIP of the Growing Book by Book community.
Pin this list now. It’s one you will want to refer to over and over.—>PIN IT HERE
Laura Purdie Salas says
Wow, fabulous lists! my new book, clover kitty goes to kittygarten (illus by hiroe nakata), comes out aug 1, and I look forward to it being part of the larger back-to-school ocean of books (esp great for kids with sensory processing issues). it’s on amazon first reads this month, too. thanks for this great roundup! i see a bunch to add to my tbr list.