Got a little one with back-to-school jitters? Ease worries and get excited with these picture books!
School's first day of school
Adam Rex
jE Rex
"It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself"--
Wemberly worried
Kevin Henkes
jE Henkes
A mouse named Wemberly, who worries about everything, finds that she has a whole list of things to worry about when she faces the first day of nursery school.
Wemberly has massive anxiety about every aspect of starting school, a state that is gently, sensitively, and realistically rendered.
- Anne W
The Berenstain bears go to school
Stan Berenstain
jE Berenstain
This is now outdated when it comes to modern kindergarten - sorry kids, you're not going to be playing with clay and snacking all day - but it's still a sweet, matter-of-fact look at growing up and going off to school.
- Anne W
The pigeon has to go to school!
Mo Willems
jE Willems
The pigeon must go to school, but frets about math, learning the alphabet, heavy backpacks, and what the teacher and other birds will think of him.
The ever-popular, always-contrary, LOL hilarious pigeon is out here making demands again, this time re: his education.
- Anne W
We don't eat our classmates!
Ryan T. Higgins
jE Higgins
When the class pet bites the finger of Penelope, a tyrannosaurus rex, she finally understands why she should not eat her classmates, no matter how tasty they are.
Lighten things up a bit with a book addressing a back-to-school problem that probably won't occur.
- Anne W
Daniel's first day of school
Alexandra Cassel Schwartz
jE Daniel
"It's time for Daniel to start school. He's excited to make friends and learn new things, but he doesn't know what school will be like. Once he gets to his classroom, Teacher Harriet says, "When we do something new, let's talk about what we'll do," and tells Daniel and the other students about all the fun things they will do. Soon Dad Tiger is there to pick up Daniel, and Daniel can't wait to go to school again tomorrow!" --Amazon.
You can trust Daniel Tiger to give straightforward, reassuring info!
- Anne W
All are welcome
Alexandra Penfold
jE Penfold
Illustrations and simple, rhyming text introduce a school where diversity is celebrated and songs, stories, and talents are shared.
Celebrate coming together with new folks at the start of another school year with this touching and beautifully-illustrated book!
- Anne W
Miss Bindergarten gets ready for kindergarten
Joseph Slate
jE Slate
Introduces the letters of the alphabet as Miss Bindergarten and her students get ready for kindergarten.
A modern classic and fun alphabet book!
- Anne W
Butterflies on the first day of school
Annie Silvestro
jE Silvestro
"Rosie can't wait to start kindergarten--she's had her pencils sharpened and her backpack ready for weeks. But suddenly, on the night before the big day, her tummy hurts. Rosie's mom reassures her that it's just butterflies in her belly, and she'll feel better soon. Much to Rosie's surprise, when she says hello to a new friend on the bus, a butterfly flies out of her mouth! As the day goes on, Rosie frees all her butterflies, and even helps another shy student let go of hers, too" --
Draws attention to how worry and anxiety can manifest in our bodies; soothes and calms overexcited/worried little ones headed off to school.
- Anne W
First grade, here I come!
Nancy L Carlson
jE Carlson
Henry tells his mother that he did not like his first day of first grade, but as he describes what he did and learned, he begins to realize that he might enjoy it after all.
Describes a typical first day of first grade, in Nancy Carlson's signature bright, bold, affirming text and illustrations. She has a similar kindergarten title, too.
- Anne W
Llama Llama misses Mama
Anna Dewdney
jE Llama
Llama Llama experiences separation anxiety on his first day of nursery school.
Llama Llama deals with separation anxiety on his first day of preschool.
- Anne W
I got the school spirit
Connie Schofield-Morrison
jE Schofiel
As a new school year begins, a young girl is filled with school spirit as she zips her book bag shut, rides the bus, enjoys her classes, and eagerly anticipates the next day.
This toe-tapping, rhythmic read-aloud will have you excited about school in no time!
- Anne W
I would read a grocery list if Christian Robinson illustrated it. Plus, what a clever concept - the school itself is nervous about the first day?! Of course, why not!
- Anne W