Back to school books for kids can be one of the most helpful ways to get children thinking about the new school year before the first day arrives! Some children are excited to see their friends again and can’t wait to find out who their new teacher will be, while others may feel nervous about walking into a new classroom, making friends, or getting used to a completely different routine.
One of the easiest ways to help children get ready for that transition is through books. Stories about school can give children a chance to see familiar situations from another child’s perspective, talk about things they may be wondering about, and sometimes realize that the things making them nervous are actually pretty normal.
That is one reason back to school books can be so useful for kids around this time of year. A good school story does not have to be a serious lesson about preparing for the first day. Sometimes a funny story about a classroom, a new teacher, or an embarrassing first day is enough to get a child thinking about what their own school year might be like.
The best part is that there are plenty of different kinds of school books to choose from. Some are perfect for children starting kindergarten, while others are better suited to elementary readers who are heading into another year of school. Some focus on friendships and first-day nerves, while others are simply funny stories that make school seem like a fun place to be.
If you’re looking for some books to read together before school starts, here are 15 back to school books for kids worth adding to your reading list.
What Makes a Good Back-to-School Book for Kids?
A good back-to-school book does more than simply show children a classroom. The best stories give kids something they can recognize from their own experiences, whether that is meeting a new teacher, wondering where they will sit, trying to make friends, or figuring out a new routine.
Age is also important. A preschooler getting ready for kindergarten will probably connect with a very different story than a third grader who is starting another year of school. Some children will want a reassuring story about their first day, while others will be much more interested in a funny school adventure.
There is no single type of book that every child needs before the school year begins. Instead, look for stories that match your child’s age, interests, and personality. If your child is nervous about school, a reassuring story may be helpful. If they are already excited, a funny classroom story might be a better choice.
With that in mind, here are 15 back to school books for kids covering a range of ages, experiences, and reading levels.
Top 15 Best Back-to-School Books for Kids
1. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
The Kissing Hand is a particularly popular choice for children who are feeling nervous about being away from their parents when school starts.
The story follows Chester Raccoon, who is worried about leaving home to go to school. His mother gives him a special reminder that he can carry with him even when they are apart, helping him feel connected to home while he begins this new experience.
This can be especially meaningful for children starting kindergarten or another new school. The story gives parents an easy way to talk about separation and reassure a child that feeling nervous about a new experience does not mean they are not ready for it.
Best for: Preschool and early elementary readers
Good for: First-day nerves and separation
2. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
First Day Jitters takes a slightly different approach to first-day nerves, which is part of what makes it so much fun to read with children.
The story follows Sarah Jane Hartwell as she tries to avoid going to school on the first day. The twist at the end gives children a funny reason to look at the first day of school from a different perspective.
This is a great read-aloud for children who are nervous about starting school because it treats those feelings as something normal rather than something embarrassing. It can also lead to a conversation about how even grown-ups can feel nervous when they are facing something new.
The publisher lists the book for ages 5–8 and grades K–3, making it a particularly useful choice for children in the early elementary years.
Best for: Kindergarten through early elementary
Good for: First-day nerves and humor
3. The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems
If your child enjoys Mo Willems’ Pigeon books, The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! is an obvious choice before the new school year.
Pigeon has plenty of reasons why school sounds like a terrible idea. What if the teacher doesn’t like him? Or if he doesn’t know the answers? What if he doesn’t know how to do everything he’s supposed to do?
The humor makes the story approachable, but underneath all of the complaints is a very familiar feeling. Children can be excited about school and still have worries about what is going to happen once they get there.
For children who prefer funny books over more serious stories about school, this is one of the books that can make the conversation easier.
Best for: Preschool through early elementary
Good for: School worries and humor
4. Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen
Our Class Is a Family focuses on the classroom community and the idea that school is more than a place where children complete assignments.
The book introduces children to the idea that classmates and teachers can become an important part of their daily lives. It also emphasizes kindness, cooperation, and creating a classroom where everyone feels included.
This makes it a useful choice for children who are starting a new classroom or entering a new school year with uncertainty. It can also be a good book for parents who want to start a conversation about what makes a classroom feel welcoming.
Best for: Kindergarten through early elementary
Good for: Classroom community and belonging
5. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
The Day You Begin is a thoughtful story about feeling different and finding the courage to connect with other people.
The characters in the story do not all feel like they quite fit in, and the book explores what can happen when children begin sharing their experiences with one another.
This is particularly useful for back-to-school reading because making friends is often one of the biggest concerns children have when entering a new classroom. A child may worry that nobody will understand them or that they will be the only one who feels different. Penguin Random House describes the book as a story about taking those first steps into a place where nobody knows you yet.
The book has also been used in educational resources to discuss belonging and classroom community.
Best for: Kindergarten through elementary school
Good for: Friendship, belonging, and confidence
6. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
For children who are about to start kindergarten, Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten is a fun way to introduce the idea of preparing for a new classroom.
The story follows Miss Bindergarten and her students as everyone gets ready for the first day. Children can see familiar parts of the kindergarten experience presented in a way that feels exciting rather than overwhelming.
Books like this can be especially helpful because the first day of school is much less mysterious when a child has already seen some version of what it might look like. Scholastic also includes Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten among its recommendations for young readers.
Parents can also pair this type of book with other kindergarten stories to help children become familiar with common school routines before the year begins.
Best for: Preschool and kindergarten
Good for: Kindergarten preparation and routines
7. Kindergarten, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg
Kindergarten, Here I Come! is a collection of poems about the kindergarten experience.
Instead of following one long story, the book gives children short glimpses into different parts of school life. That makes it easy to read a few pages at a time and talk about the parts that your child finds interesting.
Poetry can also be a nice change of pace for children who are used to traditional picture books. The short format makes this useful for reading together when you do not want to sit for a long story.
Best for: Preschool and kindergarten
Good for: Kindergarten preparation and read-alouds
8. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
The Name Jar follows Unhei, a young girl who has recently moved to the United States and is nervous about introducing herself to her new classmates.
Rather than focusing entirely on the first day itself, the story explores identity, friendship, and the experience of entering a new community.
That makes it a particularly good choice for children who may be starting at a new school or who are worried about fitting in. It can also give parents an opportunity to talk about the importance of respecting other people’s names and backgrounds.
Penguin Random House lists the book for grades K–2 and describes the story as focusing on Unhei’s experience as a new student and her decision to embrace her own name.
Best for: Kindergarten through elementary school
Good for: New schools, friendship, and identity
9. School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
School’s First Day of School gives children a very different perspective on the first day because the school itself becomes one of the characters.
The school is nervous about meeting its new students and is not quite sure what to expect. As the day progresses, it gradually becomes more comfortable with the idea of having children running through its halls.
That perspective makes the story funny while also capturing something important about starting school: everyone is adjusting. Children are not the only ones figuring things out.
For a child who is nervous about everything being unfamiliar, this can be a nice reminder that the first day is a new experience for everyone.
Best for: Kindergarten through early elementary
Good for: First-day nerves and humor
10. How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
The How Do Dinosaurs? series is a favorite for many young children, and How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? brings that familiar humor into the classroom.
The book shows children what good classroom behavior looks like by imagining what would happen if a dinosaur behaved badly at school.
For younger readers, that combination of familiar characters, humor, and simple expectations can make the idea of classroom rules much more approachable. Children can also talk about which behaviors they recognize from their own classrooms.
Best for: Preschool through early elementary
Good for: Classroom behavior and routines
11. The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
The Night Before Kindergarten is another popular choice for children who are getting ready to start school for the first time.
The rhyming story follows children and their families as they prepare for kindergarten, from getting school supplies ready to saying goodbye on the first day.
The format can be especially appealing to younger children because the familiar rhythm makes the story easy to follow and fun to read aloud. It also gives families an opportunity to talk about the parts of kindergarten that their child may be excited or nervous about.
For children who are not quite sure what to expect from their first day, this is one of the back to school books for kids that can help make kindergarten feel more familiar.
Best for: Preschool and kindergarten
Good for: Kindergarten preparation and first-day nerves
12. Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish
Amelia Bedelia’s literal interpretation of language makes school an especially funny setting for her adventures.
Children who enjoy jokes and wordplay can have fun watching Amelia misunderstand the things people say around her. At the same time, the story introduces familiar classroom experiences that children may encounter themselves.
This is a good option for children who are moving beyond very simple picture books and are ready for longer stories with more text. It can also be a fun choice for a child who enjoys humor and is beginning to read more independently.
Best for: Early elementary readers
Good for: Humor and developing readers
13. The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
Since The Night Before Kindergarten is already included above, this title should not appear twice in the final article. Instead, a stronger choice for this spot is The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes.
The King of Kindergarten follows a young boy through his first day of kindergarten as he approaches the experience with excitement and confidence.
This can be a useful contrast to some of the more nervous characters in other school books. Not every child needs a story about worrying before school starts. Some children are already excited and simply want a book that reflects that excitement.
The story can also give parents a chance to talk about the different parts of a school day, from arriving in the morning to meeting classmates and getting comfortable in a new classroom.
Best for: Preschool and kindergarten
Good for: Kindergarten preparation and confidence
14. The Teacher from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler
Many children have imagined that their new teacher might be terrifying, and The Teacher from the Black Lagoon turns that fear into a funny story.
The book follows a child who imagines all sorts of ridiculous things about a new teacher. Of course, reality turns out to be very different from the child’s imagination.
That makes it a useful reminder that children can spend a lot of time worrying about things they do not know yet. Reading a funny story about those fears can make it easier to talk about them before the school year begins.
Best for: Early elementary readers
Good for: Teacher worries and humor
15. Because I Had a Teacher by Kobi Yamada
Because I Had a Teacher focuses on the positive influence teachers can have on children’s lives.
Rather than concentrating on the first day itself, the book celebrates the many ways teachers encourage children to learn, explore, ask questions, and become more confident.
It can be a nice choice for reading at the beginning of the year because it helps shift the focus from worrying about a new teacher to thinking about all of the things a teacher can help a child discover.
For families looking for back to school books for kids that focus on the positive side of the school experience, this is a thoughtful option.
Best for: Elementary school readers
Good for: Teachers, learning, and school appreciation
How to Choose the Right Back-to-School Book for Your Child
With so many school-themed books available, you do not necessarily need to find the one “perfect” book. Start with whatever part of the school transition seems most relevant to your child.
If your child is starting kindergarten and seems nervous about leaving home, choose a story about separation or first-day jitters. A child who is excited about school but worried about making friends may connect more with a story about friendship and belonging.
Reading level matters too, but don’t let the level printed on the cover become the only factor you consider. More advanced stories can still work well as read-alouds when a child isn’t ready to read them independently.
Your child’s interests can guide you as well. Someone who loves dinosaurs may be more interested in a dinosaur school story than a serious book about classroom routines.
If you are unsure about choosing books at the right difficulty, take a look at our guide to how to tell if a book is the right reading level for your child.
The goal is not to make your child read a certain number of school books before the first day. Instead, give them an enjoyable way to think about the new school year.
Should You Read Back-to-School Books Before School Starts?
There is no requirement to finish a stack of school books before the first day. Trying to turn back-to-school reading into another assignment can take some of the fun out of it.
Instead, choose a few books that fit naturally into your regular reading time. You might read one before bed, bring one along during a trip to the library, or let your child choose a school-themed story when they want something different.
For children who are nervous, reading the same reassuring book more than once can also be helpful. Familiarity is one of the reasons children often return to favorite stories, and the same thing can apply to books about starting school.
Parents can also use these stories as a starting point for conversations about the new school year. If a character is nervous about making friends, ask your child whether they have ever felt the same way. If a character is excited about school, talk about what your child is looking forward to.
Reading together can make those conversations feel much more natural.
Final Thoughts
The start of a new school year is a big transition for children, even when they are returning to a school they already know. New teachers, new classmates, different schedules, and higher expectations can make the first few weeks feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
Books give children a simple way to explore some of those feelings before they experience them themselves. The best back to school books for kids do not all need to teach the same lesson. Some can help with first-day nerves, some can start conversations about friendship, and others can simply make children laugh about the strange things that happen at school.
If your child is starting kindergarten, moving to a new school, or simply getting ready for another year of elementary school, choose a few stories that match what they are experiencing right now.
You can also use the beginning of the school year as an opportunity to build a regular reading routine. Our guide on how to build a reading routine for kids has more ideas for making reading part of a child’s everyday schedule.
For more ideas, you can also explore our guide to the best books for beginning readers.
FAQ: Back-to-School Books for Kids
What are the best back-to-school books for kids?
Some popular choices include The Kissing Hand, First Day Jitters, The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!, The Day You Begin, and Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten. The best choice depends on your child’s age and what they are feeling about the new school year.
What books are good for kids who are nervous about starting school?
Books such as The Kissing Hand, First Day Jitters, and The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! can help children understand that nervous feelings are normal. Funny stories can be especially helpful because they allow children to think about school worries without making the conversation feel too serious.
What are good books for kids starting kindergarten?
Children starting kindergarten may enjoy Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Here I Come!, The Night Before Kindergarten, and The King of Kindergarten. Stories about kindergarten can help make the new experience feel more familiar before the first day arrives.
Can back-to-school books help kids make friends?
They can provide a useful starting point for conversations about friendship. Books such as The Day You Begin and The Name Jar explore what it can feel like to enter a new community and get to know other children.
Should parents read school books to kids before the first day?
Reading school-themed books before the first day can be helpful, but it does not need to become a formal preparation activity. A few enjoyable stories can give children a chance to talk about school and ask questions while keeping reading fun.
How many back-to-school books should kids read before school starts?
There is no specific number of books children need to read before school begins. A few books that match your child’s age and concerns can be enough to start conversations about the new school year. The most important thing is to keep reading enjoyable rather than turning it into another assignment.
Aprendí mucho. Estudio de transcripción: Gem Transcribe — . Gem Transcribe