Ultimate List of Back to School Books

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

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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.

First Day of School Books for Kids

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.

Can you hold two feelings at once? Yes, you can. You can scaredcited (scared and excited) about school starting. Turns out there are lots of mixed emotions you can hold throughout the day. Kids will love to determine the feelings/emotions of each word mashup and might even come up with some of their own to illustrate.  Enjoy Scarecited on the First Day of School by Alliah L. Agostini.

First day of a new school can bring on some big feelings especially when there are some big superpowers around. But, Super Goat Girl has a few powers of her own. Super Goat Girl by Tracey Baptiste is a  fun read for the first week of school.

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 [easyazon_link identifier=”1596439645″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]School’s First Day of School[/easyazon_link] 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 [easyazon_link identifier=”0380731487″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Sideways Stories from Wayside School[/easyazon_link].

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 Back to School Books

Get ready to start preschool with these first day of school preschool books.

Kindergarten Back to School Books

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!

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0062564234″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Twindergarten[/easyazon_link] by Ehrlich is the story of twins who will be in different classrooms for kindergarten.

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Amanda’s idea of kindergarten doesn’t go according to plan in [easyazon_link identifier=”0399554556″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten[/easyazon_link] by Ransom.

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Jump into kindergarten with [easyazon_link identifier=”1423175689″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Super Saurus Saves Kindergarten[/easyazon_link]by Underwood.

And, here are more books about starting kindergarten books from Coffee Cups and Crayons.

First Grade Back to School Books

Jump into first grade with this list from Sleeping Should Be Easy.

Books for Kids About Separation

Separation from home or loved ones can be tough for kids.  Here are a few books to help: [easyazon_link identifier=”0316077917″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Fred Stays With Me[/easyazon_link] by Coffelt, [easyazon_link identifier=”0395205034″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Ira Sleeps Over[/easyazon_link] by Waber, and [easyazon_link identifier=”1600608531″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Juna’s Jar[/easyazon_link] by Bahk.

Fitting In Stories for Kids

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Finding your place in a new setting has its challenges.  Read [easyazon_link identifier=”0316407445″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Chee-Kee: A Panda in Bearland[/easyazon_link] 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?

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[easyazon_link identifier=”1524766496″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]We’re All Wonders[/easyazon_link] 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.

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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.

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Also, check out the newer [easyazon_link identifier=”0545685206″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Tool School[/easyazon_link] 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

Our Classroom Rules! by Kallie George works really well for young students. Slide up alongside these classmates as they learn about working together independently and together, looking out for each other, and listening to the teacher and others.

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 [easyazon_link identifier=”0590431625″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]This Is The Way We Go to School[/easyazon_link] by Baer.

Kids will discover that many children around the world have dangerous trips just to get to school for an education in [easyazon_link identifier=”1927583780″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Way to School[/easyazon_link] by McCarney.

Need to talk about bus safety and rules, warm up with [easyazon_link identifier=”069401690X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]School Bus[/easyazon_link] by Crews.  Or, read [easyazon_link identifier=”0805094350″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Little School Bus[/easyazon_link] by Cuyler.

Stories About School Routines

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[easyazon_link identifier=”0786838965″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Wow! School![/easyazon_link] 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.

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Another funny one is [easyazon_link identifier=”0399250522″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Gingerbread Loose in the School[/easyazon_link]by 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: [easyazon_link identifier=”0375873007″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Best Book to Read[/easyazon_link] by Bertram, [easyazon_link identifier=”0545360994″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]We’re Going on a Book Hunt[/easyazon_link] by Miller, or [easyazon_link identifier=”158089142X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Lola at the Library[/easyazon_link]by McQuinn

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I also like to talk about our classroom library and the reading that will take place in our space. [easyazon_link identifier=”168119323X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]A Place to Read[/easyazon_link] by Hodgkinson is a good book to use to discuss “just right” reading spots.

Physical Education: [easyazon_link identifier=”0545069319″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Gym Teacher From the Black Lagoon[/easyazon_link]by Thaler or [easyazon_link identifier=”0553113747″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Busy Body Book: A Kid’s Guide to Fitness[/easyazon_link] by Rockwell

Art: [easyazon_link identifier=”1936261278″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Too Much Glue[/easyazon_link] 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: [easyazon_link identifier=”068981593X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Max Found Two Sticks[/easyazon_link] by Pinkney or [easyazon_link identifier=”1590789466″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]I Know a Shy Fellow Who Swallowed a Cello[/easyazon_link]by Garriel

Lunch Room and Recess: [easyazon_link identifier=”140485309X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Manners in the Lunchroom[/easyazon_link] by Tourville or T[easyazon_link identifier=”0439206375″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]he Recess Queen[/easyazon_link]by O’Neill

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School Nurse: The Boo-Boos of Bluebell Elementary by Chelsea Lin Wallace

Then there is that first fire drill.  Read [easyazon_link identifier=”0763660868″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill[/easyazon_link] by Harper.

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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, [easyazon_link identifier=”096006530X” locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]I Can Be a Superhero During a Lockdown[/easyazon_link].

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

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Do you have a class pet or are you thinking of getting a class pet?  Here are a few read-alouds: The [easyazon_link identifier=”1484743644″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Teacher’s Pet[/easyazon_link] by Rissi or [easyazon_link identifier=”0823425940″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos[/easyazon_link] by Velde.

A class plant is my kind of pet! This hilarious book will definitely have you adding a class “Jerry” to your room this year.  Enjoy a great read-aloud in The World’s Best Class Plant by Liz Garton Scanlon.

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 [easyazon_link identifier=”0399539050″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Here Comes The Teacher Cat[/easyazon_link] by Underwood.

Enjoy the classic [easyazon_link identifier=”0395401461″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Miss Nelson is Missing[/easyazon_link] 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 [easyazon_link identifier=”0312561199″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Substitute Teacher Plans[/easyazon_link] 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

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Perhaps you are switching schools or leaving teaching.  You’ll want to read [easyazon_link identifier=”1561459445″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Mrs. McBee Leaves Room 3[/easyazon_link]to 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.

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Pin this list now.  It’s one you will want to refer to over and over.—>PIN IT HERE