It's a pretty safe assumption that "back to school" looks much different than any of us expected this year. Depending on where you are in the world, kids are attending class under a series of new requirements or possibly even learning virtually from their own homes. And while it's certainly understandable that some of the enthusiasm for a new school year may not be as evident this year, it's still very important to make sure our children are excited about learning.
Books are great tools for creating interest. In our house, a good story will easily grab my kindergartner's attention and kickstart her topics of conversation for days. As a parent, there's no better feeling than seeing your child become really enthusiastic about something. And, thankfully, there are many great back to school books that are perfect for this time of year to help build that excitement.
No matter if it's your child's first day of kindergarten or if they're a seasoned elementary student, there are great back to school books for your family. We encourage you to take a look at some of our favorites below and help get your student ready to embrace a new school year!
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!
Author: Mo Willems
Pigeon is back and this time he's going to school!
The latest edition of Mo Willems' popular series features his title character facing the anxiety that comes with the first day of school.
What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns too much? How's he supposed to carry this heavy backpack!?
Willems use of comedy, fun comic-illustrations and a beloved character are the perfect combination to get kids excited about going back to school. There's also a fun call back to Willems first book, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, that will certainly have fans of the series smiling.
All Are Welcome
Author: Alexandra Penfold
The 2018 hit All Are Welcome is not only a great back to school book, but also one of our favorite books about diversity and inclusion as well.
This brilliant picture book shows children of many diverse backgrounds enjoying a day at school with each other. Although all of the children are different in their own ways, their friendship and acceptance of each other create an amazing environment that is sure to inspire. Penfold's harmonious message is portrayed beautifully by illustrator Suzanne Kaufman's detailed art work.
All Are Welcome has been a mainstay on the New York Times Best Seller's List. It's an excellent selection for kids of all ages.
If You Take a Mouse to School
Author: Laura Numeroff
When it comes to classic back to school books, If You Take a Mouse to School has to be one of the first that comes to mind.
This fun read by Laura Numeroff is featured in classrooms everywhere and brings back her iconic character from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. It follows the familiar layout from other books in Numeroff's series by running through the wild ride that starts from the single question, what if you take a mouse to school?
The beloved series from Numeroff and Felicia Bond (illustrator) is a New York Times Best Seller and are great books for preschool and elementary children.
The Pout Pout Fish Goes to School
Author: Deborah Diesen
The Pout Pout Fish series of books are some of the most popular stories for preschoolers and younger elementary kids.
In this edition, the Pout Pout Fish is reliving his first day of school. However, instead of feeling excitement, the day is full of apprehension and uncertainty. Whether it be reading, math or art, the young fish just can't seem to get it right. But with the help of a great teacher, Pout Pout Fish is able to overcome his first-day jitters and find success at school!
The Pout Pout Fish Goes to School is great back to school book for children ages 4 to 7.
First Day Jitters
Author: Julia Danneberg
It is not uncommon to have anxiety on the first day of school. New things can be scary.
In Julia Danneberg's First Day Jitters, readers will learn that everyone gets nervous sometimes, even adults. But with the help of new friends, its a lot easier to make a smooth transition.
The fun water-color illustrations, lighthearted tone and surprise ending makes this an excellent back to school book. First Day Jitters is ideal for kids 4 to 8.
The Kissing Hand
Author: Audrey Penn
Perhaps the most heartwarming story on our list, The Kissing Hand has been a must-own back to school book since its debut in 1993.
Although a new school year is starting in the forest, little Chester Raccoon does not want to go. But after his mom shares a family secret of the kissing hand, Chester finds reassurance that his mother's love is with him always, even when they are separated.
For children who are dealing with a little separation anxiety, The Kissing Hand is a great story. This classic children's book is a perfect choice for teachers and parents of preschool and elementary students.
We Don't Eat Our Classmates
Author: Ryan T. Higgins
Ryan T. Higgins' We Don't Eat Our Classmates is a mixture of three things that make a great children's book: dinosaurs, comedy and an important lesson.
In the story we find Penelope Rex excited about her first day of school. Although she can't wait to meet her new friends, she is faced with an unexpected problem....children are delicious! But with the help from the class pet, Penelope soon learns that it's no fun being eaten.
This lighthearted story is complete with really fun illustrations and great for preschool and elementary children.
Llama Llama Misses Mama
Author: Anna Dewdney
Arguably no children's book series has been more popular over the last decade than Anna Dewdney's Llama Llama books.
In this edition, it's Llama Llama's first day of preschool but he's feeling really nervous. Even though there are toys, playgrounds and fun activities at school, Llama Llama really just wants to be with his mama. But with the help of some new friends, little Llama learns how fun school can be!
For younger children that have a little bit of separation anxiety, Llama Llama Misses Mama is an excellent selection. Fans of other Anna Dewdney books will find familiarity with the books fun, rhyming pattern and bright illustrations.
The Day You Begin
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Everyone has differences and sometimes it can be difficult to embrace what may be uncomfortable. Jacqueline Woodson’s The Day You Begin is the elegant story about being brave and finding the courage to connect with others. The book encourages children to discover the beauty within and push through the uncertainty and fear that comes with new situations. Rafael Lopez’s illustrations features a diverse cast of characters and brings to life the book’s important message.
The Day You Begin is great selection for teachers and parents of preschool and elementary children. The story also makes our list of best children's books about diversity and inclusion!
School's First Day of School
Author: Adam Rex
Adam Rex's School's First Day of School is one of the most creative back to school books on our list. While its common for 'first day of school' books to feature themes of nervousness, Rex provides a twist from the norm and approaches the first day from the perspective of the school itself!
Will the kids be nice? Will they like the school? What will they do when they get here?
The story's conclusion of overcoming first day jitters is an encouraging theme for new students to see that everyone gets nervous sometimes. School's First Day of School is not only a great choice for parents, but for teachers of preschool and elementary students as well!
The Cool Bean
Author: Jory John
Best selling author Jory John follows his popular stories The Good Egg and The Bad Seed with his third book in the series, The Cool Bean.
The book introduces us to three "coooool beans" and one, well, not-so-cool bean. Although he tries his best to fit in with the others, the one bean just can't seem to be cool. However, in the end, the bean learns a really important lesson that being cool really means being kind.
While not a traditional back to school book with the theme of 'first day jitters', The Cool Bean does teach children the important lesson of being kind to one another, and is a great choice to help prepare children to meet new friends. Jory John's mix of humor, along with this important message, make this an easy read for children 3 to 8.
The Name Jar
Author: Yangsook Choi
The Name Jar by Yanksook Choi is a popular back to school book that features a heartwarming and multicultural message.
Unhei's family has just moved from Korea and now it's her first day of school. Instead of telling the new kids her name, Unhei keeps it hidden because she's worried about being accepted. Unhei's pledge to choose a new name leads to the other children putting names in a jar for her to select. However, once one of her classmates discovers her real name and its meaning, the other kids get rid of the jar on the day of Unhei's selection and she's encouraged to choose her real name.
The books uplifting and positive theme have helped the The Name Jar become one of Amazon's top sellers. Choi's brilliant story is accompanied perfectly by her detailed illustrations that are sure to keep children 3 to 8 engaged.
If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't
Author: Elise Parsley
If you're looking for a silly back to school book, look no further than Elise Parsley's If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't!
This funny story shows kids what happens when you try to bring an alligator to school for show and tell. And although Magnolia initially thinks it's a great idea, she quickly learns that they are nothing but trouble!
The book is full of hilarious illustrations that will appeal to preschool and younger elementary kids. Although the story may not carry a deeper message like others on our list, we recommend this one if you simply want an easy, enjoyable read with your student.
How to Get Your Teacher Ready for School
Author: Jean Reagan
How to Get Your Teach Ready for School follows other humorous books in Jean Reagan's best-selling HOW TO series.
Using an instructional style format, the story shows young students describing what it will take to get their teacher ready for the first day of school (along with other school milestones along the way). But with this creative role reversal, the children actually find that they get themselves ready for school in the process!
Reagan's unique story structure and Lee Wildish's fun illustrations are a perfect combination in this celebration of teachers. How to Get Your Teacher Ready for School is recommended for children ages 4 to 8.
Click, Clack, Quack to School!
Author: Doreen Cronin
Some of our favorite children's books are from Doreen Cronin's Click, Clack series. Starting with her award winning Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type in 2000, Cronin has come back with her back to school book, Click, Clack, Quack to School!
The story starts with Farmer Brown being invited to Farm Day at the local elementary school. This news has all of the barnyard animals excited, as they start preparing for the big day. But soon they discover that farm animals aren't actually allowed at school! With the help of some clever disguises, the barnyard animals make sure that they wont miss this big day at school.
Click, Clack, Quack to School! is a funny story for preschool and elementary kids. We definitely recommend picking this one up if your a fan of the other books in the series!