Great Books for Back to School

A book is a wonderful way to help introduce a child to a new adventure and to work out potential fears. Going to school for the first time or even back to school can bring some anxiety with the unknown that lies ahead.

Fun Picture Books to Read for Back to School

These are my favorite books for back to school. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn


If you own only one back to school book ever, The Kissing Hand is the one you should get. It is so sweet and really helps children to feel brave facing that first day of school. You can give your child her own kissing hand to take to school with her. This is a popular book, so if you wanted some craft ideas to go along with it, a simple search on Pinterest would find you plenty of ideas.

Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray


This is a fun book that introduces the reader to various school helpers. The Gingerbread Man gets left behind by his group of school children and he runs through the school trying to find them. In his travels, he talks to people like the janitor, school nurse, and principal. This is a fun way to help your child see all of these people in the school are there to help you.


Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

This is a good one if you have a child going to Kindergarten. It is a fun rhyming book all about what Kindergarten is like. 

The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School by Deborah Diesen


The beloved character the Pout-Pout fish goes to school for the first time. He visits the wrong class over and over again, and finds school to be way too difficult! But once he finds the correct class, he is able to learn at his own level with his peers. 

Fancy Nancy Jo-Jos First Day Jitters by Jane O’Connor


This is a great one for preschoolers or other younger children. This is a lift the flap book and is all about little sister, Jo-Jo, getting ready for preschool. This is also sweet if you have older children with younger siblings starting school for the first time. It will help give them ideas for how to be a big help to their younger siblings.

Llama Lama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

This is the one for your new preschooler. The familiar bouncing rhymes with the familiar favorite llama. 

David Goes to School by David Shannon

This is a funny book. It is probably preferable for a student who has been in school before just because of how much David breaks the rules. Your child will shake his head at David’s antics. 

Pirates Go to School by Corinne Demas

This is a fun story about what it would be like if pirates went to school.

Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton


This is one of our favorite back to school books. Splat starts out nervous for school. Then he goes and teaches his peers and teacher a new outlook on life. He ends the book feeling many strong feelings about school, but they are quite the opposite of the anxiety he felt before the first day.

If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff

This is a fun story with the same series of events you have come to love and expect from the Numeroff books. 

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by James Dean

Like the gingerbread book introduced us to the school helpers, this one introduces us to the school rooms. All with the fun of Pete the Cat and his songs. 

You Will Be My Friend by Peter Brown

This is an amusing book about how to make friends (and how not to!).

100th Day Worries by Margery Cuyler

This one is better for later in the year when you are approaching the 100th day of school.

Do you have a favorite book for back to school?

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