Lower Elementary Reads
I Walk with Vanessa
This wordless picture book allows children to explore how it feels when a classmate is unkind, as well as, how it feels to witness someone being treated poorly. The beautiful illustrations show how one simple act of kindness can help more than one person.
The King of Kindergarten
Let this young friend guide your child through their first day of kindergarten. He begins first thing in the morning and takes readers through the very end of the day. This story is a great way to prepare your child ahead of time.
Click, Clack, Quack to School
When Farmer Brown is invited to Farm Day at Dinklemeyer Elementary School, he sets about preparing the animals for all of the expectations at school. However, barnyard animals may have a tough time being quiet and calm. Will they be able to follow school expectations?
The Day you Begin
Each child comes from and travels to different places. Each family has different beliefs and structures. It can be very difficult to go to a new school, make new friends, and experience new things. Yet, when you make the effort, you may just find that others aren't as different as they seem.
Butterflies on the First Day of School
Rosie is excited for school to start, until the night before. That's when her tummy starts to hurt. Her mom assures her that those are just butterflies. As Rosie takes brave steps throughout her day, she releases her butterflies and starts to feel better. This is a great visual representation of nerves and how to handle them.
The Magical Yet
This growth mindset book gives children a friend named The Yet. It's always with you, believing in you when you don't believe in yourself. Knowing how far you can go. The Yet will keep children moving forward.
First Day Jitters
Sarah has the jitters and doesn't want to go to school! But when she arrives, she is befriended by the principal, Mrs. Burton. All of the silliness associated with not wanting to go to school ends in a great big surprise!
Upper Elementary Reads
The Exceptionally, Extraordinarily Ordinary First Day of School
This wonderful book tells the story of the new kid on the first day of school. His name is John, an ordinary name, but his previous school, well that was not an ordinary place. As John tells his tall tales, he gains the attention of many in his new school. Will his stories help him make friends?
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Join Wallace as he uses the obligatory "What I did over the summer" essay to tell the harrowing story of his kidnap by cowboys and the following months of learning the ways of the west. It's up to your child to determine if his stories are true!
Thank you, Mr. Falker
A moving story based on real-life events from author Patricia Polacco's childhood. As a child with dyslexia, Patricia thought school could be hard sometimes. Thank goodness for the help of a wonderful teacher who encouraged her to not give up.
Do Unto Otters
Mr. Owl advises Rabbit to treat his new neighbors, The Otters, the way he would want them to treat him. The Golden Rule. Rabbit gets help from lots of his forest friends to figure out how he wants others to treat him. This makes an excellent review of manners before heading back to the classroom.
It’s Back to School We Go: First Day Stories From Around the World
Have you ever wondered what the first day of school looked like in other countries? Take a trip to 11 different countries, learn about different cultures, and experience the first day of school from many different perspectives!
I Didn’t Do My Homework Because….
Although this is not a traditional back-to-school book, it is a great way to explore concepts such as responsibility and perseverance before the school year starts. As you read through the hilarious excuses for why the homework wasn't completed, you can discuss how to be a good student in the upcoming school year.
School’s First Day of School
Most back to school read alouds focus on the jitters of students and sometimes teachers, but what about the school itself? Take a trip through a nerve-filled day from the perspective of the school building. Will the kids take care of it and be nice? Will they like it?
Reading to or with your kids has so many benefits. I encourage you to take a few minutes each day to share some of these books with them, have a meaningful discussion about the school year and their worries, and enjoy the time you get to spend with each other.
What is your favorite back to school book to read with your kids?