Back-to-School Books for Children

Topics: Books & Reading 

Age Range: Preschool 

While it may seem as if summer vacation is endless, it’s time for many families across America are to prepare for back-to-school. Whether it’s your child’s first time going to school or not, there are several entertaining books available to help them make the transition. Enjoy reading these books with your child, and take time to discuss their feelings as you do so.

The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing

We can all remember how difficult it was to sleep the night before our first day back at school. With colorful images and engaging rhyming text, The Night Before Preschool tells the story of a little boy who’s shy and nervous about preschool. However, as his first day of preschool goes by, he realizes that it’s a fun place to be.

This is one of a series of books which includes other titles such as The Night Before Kindergarten and The Night Before First Grade.

Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten by Candice Ransom

Amanda Panda is excited to start kindergarten, and visualizes how perfectly her first day will go. However, all of her big plans don’t work out the way she planned, and she meets another girl who persistently tries to be her friend. Amanda decides to quit kindergarten and join her older brother in his second grade classroom. Here, she realizes that second grade isn’t right for her, and she returns to kindergarten to try again and make new friends.

The Berenstain Bears Go to School by Stan and Jan Berenstain

This classic book shows the first day of school through the eyes of Sister Bear, who is nervous about starting kindergarten. She visits the school before the first day and meets her new teacher, takes the bus with other nervous children, and slowly begins to enjoy herself as her day full of stories, playtime, and new experiences unfolds.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Chester Raccoon is nervous about starting school, and wants to stay in his familiar home instead. To help him feel better about the transition, Mrs Raccoon tells him about all the fun things he will do at school, including making new friends, reading new books, and playing with new toys. She helps him feel more secure with a family secret called the Kissing Hand, which will help Chester feel connected to her if he gets scared.

School’s First Day of School by Christian Robinson

In this unique book, the story of the first day is told from the perspective of the school. Frederick Douglass Elementary is a brand-new school who is nervous about all of the new children, and what to expect. In this story, the school feels the anxiety of the children at the beginning, but they all eventually begin to have fun. This interesting story will allow children to understand that everyone feels back-to-school jitters, but they eventually go away.

Lola Goes to School by Anna McQuinn
Age range: 2-5 years

Preschoolers and kindergarteners can follow along with Lola as she gets ready for school, and see what happens when she arrives. With colorful illustrations and easy-to-follow text, this book will help children understand what happens at school.

If You Take a Mouse to School 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.

Little Yellow Bus: A Back to School Bravery Adventure by Erin Guendelsberge
Age range: 4-7 years

If your child is nervous about school, they may be comforted to know that sometimes others get nervous about it too. This is the story of Little Yellow Bus, who is excited to take children to school, but also nervous as well.

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.

These back-to-school books are ideal ways to help your child understand any nervous or scared feelings they may be having about their first day. They will also give your child examples of what they can expect in school, which can help to relieve their fears. With these books, you can help your child get prepared and excited for their first day of school.