15 Books for the First Day of School

It’s that time of year… Back to School! Honestly, it’s a little early for us, the district I live in won’t go back until the end of the month, but I know a lot of schools in the south and west are starting back this week and next! Whether your little one is starting kindergarten for the first time, or they’re heading to an upper grade and have done this before, it’s a new experience and lots of kids have BIG emotions about it!

Check out these 15 books for the first day of school to help ease some of their nerves and butterflies. And if you’re a classroom teacher check out my blog post on Creating a Classroom Community and this one which is a little older, but still has great reading recommendations!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

15 Books for the First Day of School

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

In our classroom safe and sound.
Fears are lost and hope is found.

Discover a school where all young children have a place, have a space, and are loved and appreciated.

Readers will follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where students from all backgrounds learn from and celebrate each other’s traditions. A school that shows the world as we will make it to be.

The Cool Bean by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald

Everyone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool.

And then there’s the uncool has-bean . . .

Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd—until one day the cool beans show him how it’s done.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Raphael López

There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is quite like you.

There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it.

Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Pete Oswald

In just one hundred days, Harry will learn how to overcome first-day jitters, what a “family circle” is, why guinea pigs aren’t scary after all, what a silent “e” is about, how to count to 100 in tons of different ways, and much more. He’ll make great friends, celebrate lots of holidays, and learn how to use his words. In other words, he will become an expert first grader.

Made up of one hundred short chapters and accompanied by tons of energetic illustrations from bestselling illustrator of The Good Egg and The Bad Seed, this is a chapter book all first graders will relate to–one that captures all the joys and sorrows of the first hundred days of school.

How to Get Your Octopus to School by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

Getting your octopus to school won’t be easy. He would much rather stay home with you and play hide-and-seek or dress-up. But you know your octopus will love school if he gives it a chance. And you’ll tell him that . . . as soon as you can find him . . .

How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

This humorous new book in the beloved HOW TO . . . series takes readers through a fun and busy school year. Written in tongue-in-cheek instructional style, a class of adorable students gives tips and tricks for getting a teacher ready—for the first day of school, and all the events and milestones that will follow (picture day, holiday concert, the 100th day of school, field day!).

And along the way, children will see that getting their teacher ready is really getting themselves ready. Filled with charming role-reversal humor, this is a playful and heartwarming celebration of teachers and students. A fun read-a-loud to prepare for first day jitters, back-to-school readiness or end of year celebrations..

Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Daniel Jennewein

Your buffalo is growing up. He plays with friends. He shares his toys. He’s smart! But is he ready for kindergarten? (And is kindergarten ready for him?)

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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 his mark! He’s dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can’t wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he’s up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can’t wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements–and then wake up to start another day.

Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo

It was the first day of school.

But even the kindergarteners of room 2B could tell something was seriously wrong . . . Where was the teacher? Who left this sandwich on the desk?

The only clue, written on the chalkboard, were three simple letters: Mr. S

Never, Not Ever by Beatrice Alemagna

Never, Not Ever! is the instant classic from Beatrice Alemagna—a laugh-out-loud tribute to little kids everywhere who would prefer not to leave home on the first day of school.

The other animals are marching dutifully to school, but Pascaline could care less. “Never, not ever!” she declares. She’s NOT going. And nothing—not even her parents pulling her by her feet—will change her mind.

She shrieks so loudly that her parents shrink down to the size of peanuts—becoming just the right size to fit snugly under Pascaline’s wing. Now they can all go to school together!

Principal Tate Is Running Late! by Henry Cole

ery day goes smoothly at Hardy Elementary School because Principal Tate keeps everyone happy and everything in order. But what happens when her car breaks down one day and she’s running late?

How will the students, teachers, parents, and visitors get through the day? Will chaos take over Hardy School? The solution is simple: Everyone at the school must do their part to save the day.

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson

It’s the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone’s just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. What will the children do once they come? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him?

The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he’s not the only one going through first-day jitters.

Tomorrow I’ll be Kind by Jessica Hische

Tomorrow I’ll be everything
I strive to be each day
And even when it’s difficult
I’ll work to find a way.

Immerse yourself in the beautifully hand-lettered words of widsom, hope, and positivity alongside adorable illustrations of love and caring. This book is a reminder to all readers, young and old, that the smallest kind gesture can make the biggest difference in the world–we just have to remember to be kind to one another.

The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud

What really happened over the summer break? A curious teacher wants to know. The epic explanation? What started out as a day at the beach turned into a globe-spanning treasure hunt with high-flying hijinks, exotic detours, an outrageous cast of characters, and one very mischievous bird! Is this yet another tall tale, or is the truth just waiting to be revealed?

Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl’s mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Your Name is a Song is a celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names.