Back-to-School Books

Whether your kids are heading off to school for the very first time or are old pros at navigating lockers and homework assignments, the books on this list are bound to entertain (and maybe even reassure) them. Need help managing first-day-of-school jitters? No problem. Looking for middle school books or high school stories? We've got 'em -- from popular current series to modern classics. Learning remotely? These books are like fond postcards from classrooms past -- or future! For more choices, check out these lists: Books to Help Your Kid Survive Middle School and Kindergarten Books. Happy reading!

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First Day Critter Jitters Poster Image
BOOK

First Day Critter Jitters

age 3+

Hilarious, fun book to soothe first-day-of-school nerves.

By: Jory John (2020)
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Here Comes Teacher Cat Poster Image
BOOK

Here Comes Teacher Cat

age 3+

Funny sub teacher tale shows classroom routines in fun way.

By: Deborah Underwood (2017)
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The King of Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

The King of Kindergarten

age 3+

Fun tale pictures a kid's royally good first day of school.

By: Derrick Barnes (2019)
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Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to School? Poster Image
BOOK

Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to School?

age 3+

Rhyming picture book promotes enthusiasm about school.

By: Bill Martin Jr. , Michael Sampson (2013)
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The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! Poster Image
BOOK

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

age 3+

Fresh, wacky take on first-day-of school jitters.

By: Mo Willems (2019)
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Happy children dancing in a classroom
BOOK

The World Needs More Purple Schools

age 3+

Bright, upbeat celebration of individuality and curiosity.

By: Kristen Bell , Benjamin Hart (2022)
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All Are Welcome Poster Image
BOOK

All Are Welcome

age 4+

Kind, uplifting story of inclusion and diversity at school.

By: Alexandra Penfold (2018)
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Chu's First Day of School Poster Image
BOOK

Chu's First Day of School

age 4+

Sneezy panda conquers fitting-in fears in reassuring tale.

By: Neil Gaiman (2014)
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The Class Poster Image
BOOK

The Class

age 4+

Relatable look at different kids getting ready for school.

By: Boni Ashburn (2016)
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Click, Clack, Quack to School! Poster Image
BOOK

Click, Clack, Quack to School!

age 4+

Animals let loose at recess in fun school-visit tale.

By: Doreen Cronin (2018)
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Curious George's First Day of School Poster Image
BOOK

Curious George's First Day of School

age 4+

George makes school silly and fun.

By: Margret Rey , H. A. Rey (2005)
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The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

The Day My Mom Came to Kindergarten

age 4+

Kindergarten jitters flipped in cute story of mom at school.

By: Maureen Fergus , Mike Lowery (2013)
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The Day You Begin Poster Image
BOOK

The Day You Begin

age 4+

Encouraging advice for kids who feel excluded or less than.

By: Jacqueline Woodson (2018)
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Frank and Lucky Get Schooled Poster Image
BOOK

Frank and Lucky Get Schooled

age 4+

Playful intro to academic subjects via curious boy and pup.

By: Lynne Rae Perkins (2016)
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I Got the School Spirit Poster Image
BOOK

I Got the School Spirit

age 4+

Spirited girl shines in joyful back-to-school book.

By: Connie Schofield-Morrison (2020)
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Marco Goes to School Poster Image
BOOK

Marco Goes to School

age 4+

Bird's first day at human school is good, silly fun.

By: Roz Chast (2012)
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Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten Poster Image
BOOK

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

age 4+

Calms first-day-of-kindergarten fears.

By: Joseph Slate (1996)
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Cover of the book The Monster on the Bus
BOOK

The Monster on the Bus

age 4+

Hilarious and unexpected twist on classic children's song.

By: Josh Lieb (2022)
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Monsters Love School Poster Image
BOOK

Monsters Love School

age 4+

Monsters lead way in reassuring first-day-of-school romp.

By: Mike Austin (2014)
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Otter Goes to School Poster Image
BOOK

Otter Goes to School

age 4+

Otter plays teacher, gains confidence in reassuring tale.

By: Sam Garton (2016)
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