16 Great Back to School Books to Read With Your Students

By Mark Ryan | Aug 14, 2018Oct 21, 2022

What books will you read your first week back? The first books you read with your students give you the opportunity to discuss all those “Back to School” feelings and set the tone for the learning environment you want to create with them this school year. I like a balanced mix of “Back to School” books and books that encourage values I feel are especially important in my classroom. Check out the list below for my favorite books to kick the year off!

School’s First Day of School | by Adam Rex

This is one of my new favorite back to school reads. It’s a book about the first day of school, written from the point of view of a newly built school that has never had students before.

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? | by Carol McCloud

Prompts conversation about the importance of being kind and how it makes you and others feel.

First Day Jitters | by Julie Danneberg

Charming and familiar story of first day nerves that ends with a twist. It’s not just the students that get nervous about a new school year…

The Book With No Pictures | by B.J. Novak

Hilarious book that proves books don’t need pictures to be fun. This book is great for children transitioning from picture books to books with more text and less or no pictures.

David Goes to School | by David Shannon

David shows readers what you are not supposed to do at school, which makes it a great book to naturally bring up school rules and why they are important to follow.

H is for Happy – An Emoji ABC Book | by Evan Nimke

When I found this book last year it quickly became one of my new favorites. It uses emojis to discuss social-emotional language from A to Z. Being able to identify and communicate feelings is a powerful tool for children that will help them both socially and academically.

Beautiful Oops! | by Barney Saltzberg

This books teaches that it’s ok to make mistakes and that mistakes can be marvelous learning experiences. This book is especially great to read before trying a new type of project in class. It encourages perseverance and creativity, two key skills in 21st century learning.

I’m A Frog | by Mo Willems

This book is a great conversation starter for discussing what imagination and pretend play are.

A Bad Case of the Stripes | by David Shannon

This book is about a girl who is worried about what others think of her. This story engages students in conversation about learning to be yourself and being comfortable in your own skin.

Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses | by Kimberly and James Dean

The Pete the Cat series is all about being positive and looking on the brightside. This book from the series in particular is great for various ages.

What Should Danny Do? | by Ganit and Adir Levy

Interactive book that is written in a “Choose Your Own Story” style. The reader helps the main character, Danny, make choices throughout his day that are choices children face on a daily basis. This is a book you can read many times and children enjoy seeing how making different decisions for Danny changes the story. This book is great for teaching social-emotional skills and empowering children to take ownership of the decisions they make.

The Kissing Hand | by Audrey Penn

This classic is great to read for a pre-first day meet and greet or on the first day of school. Separation can be very difficult for some children and parents and this story does a beautiful job bringing those feelings to light and giving comfort.

My Mouth Is a Volcano | by Julia Cook

This book shows what it means to interrupt, how it can be frustrating and gives us the opportunity to discuss why we try not to interrupt others as well as techniques to help us wait our turn.