16 Best Books for Back to School
It’s August and that means for many kids it’s time to head back to school! The list of 16 best books for back-to-school make wonderful choices as the first day read alouds. And don’t just think young elementary-age kids. Older kids enjoy being read aloud to as well! Wouldn’t it be lovely if you started your first day of school with a few minutes of calm, quiet reading aloud in the midst of syllabi, instruction, and that little bit of stress?
I love titles that are welcoming, that promote kindness and individuality, and the promise of good things to come. You’ll find all of that in the titles below. What I also love, is finding diverse reads, silly stories, and inspiration for the new year. You’ll find all of those as well. If you’re looking for even more great titles (and maybe a couple of duplicates – they’re that good!) check out this list of titles to create a classroom community as well.
16 Best Books for Back to School
- All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
- Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds
- Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Adam Rex
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López
- How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
- I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
- The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
- The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Álvarez
- Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by April Harrison
- The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora
- The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems
- School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson
- Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hirsche
- We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
- Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illustrated by Luisa Uribe
- You’re Finally Here! by Mélanie Watt
Looking for even more great titles? Check out this back-to-school list from a few years ago!
