Books to Help Kids Adjust to Back-to-School

Whether your child is going to school for the first time or not, there are many emotions around the start of the school year. Enjoy these back-to-school books with your child that can support them with the transition.

If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
Age range: 2-5 years

Following in the same style as the classic “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” this book shows children the elements of school, such as notebooks, pencils, and backpacks, while following the mouse in an amusing and engaging day.

School Is Cool! by Sabrina Moyle
Age range: 3-5 years

With engaging rhyming text and colorful illustrations, this book prepares young children for their first day of school. It addresses the range of emotions and uncertainties kids can experience, and helps encourage your child.

The Crayons Go Back to School by Drew Daywalt
Age range: 3-7 years

This colorful and imaginative book shows the emotions and experiences of different crayons as they prepare to go back to school. Through the crayon characters, your child can understand the common feelings associated with returning to school, and there are many opportunities for you and your child to discuss these experiences together.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
Age range: 5-8 years

While school is exciting for some children, others may feel nervous because they worry they won’t fit in. This beautifully illustrated book helps to reassure children that it’s normal to feel different sometimes, and it empowers them to connect with other kids even if they’re nervous to do so.

It's Back to School We Go!: First Day Stories From Around the World by Ellen Jackson
Age range: 5-9 years

This book shares first day of school stories from children all around the world – from Kenya, Kazakhstan, Australia, and more. Your child will learn more about other cultures and have fun imagining a typical school day in countries all over the world.