Back-to-School Books

Last updated: September 12, 2025

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. 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.

Jory John Picture Book (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.

Deborah Underwood Picture Book (2017)

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I'm Sorry You Got Mad book cover: Angry, red-faced boy seated at desk, crumpled-up drafts of apology notes swirl above him

BOOK

I'm Sorry You Got Mad

age 3+

Boy learns how to apologize in wise, relatable empathy tale.

Kyle Lukoff Picture Book (2024)

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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.

Bill Martin Jr. , Michael Sampson Picture Book (2013)

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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.

Derrick Barnes Picture Book (2019)

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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.

Mo Willems Picture Book (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.

Kristen Bell , Benjamin Hart Picture Book (2022)

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Tiny T. Rex and the First Day Oopsies book cover: Green Tiny T. Rex is on yellow school steps with stuff spilling out of his backpack and lunch bag

BOOK

Tiny T. Rex and the First-Day Oopsies: A Back-to-School Book

age 3+

Learning from mistakes is great lesson in cute school story.

Jonathan Stutzman Picture Book (2025)

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All Are Welcome Poster Image

BOOK

All Are Welcome

age 4+

Kind, uplifting story of inclusion and diversity at school.

Alexandra Penfold Picture Book (2018)

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Back to School, Backpack! book cover: Illustration of a scared-looking teal backpack holding on to closet doors, refusing to leave

BOOK

Back to School, Backpack!

age 4+

Pack reflects kids' worries in clever back-to-school tale.

Simon Rich Picture Book (2023)

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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.

Doreen Cronin Picture Book (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.

Margret Rey , H. A. Rey School (2005)

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Fall Is for Beginnings book cover: Near a tree turning color, a diverse bunch of kids run toward school on the first day

BOOK

Fall Is for Beginnings

age 4+

Lively look at a new school year and expanding friendship.

Rajani LaRocca Picture Book (2025)

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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.

Lynne Rae Perkins Picture Book (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.

Connie Schofield-Morrison Picture Book (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.

Roz Chast Picture Book (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.

Joseph Slate Coming of Age (1996)

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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.

Mike Austin Picture Book (2014)

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My First Day book cover: A boy stand-up paddling through a blue sky above lush multicolored waves

BOOK

My First Day

age 4+

Boy paddles down Mekong River in stunning journey to school.

Phùng Nguyên Quang , Huynh Kim Liên Picture Book (2021)

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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.

Sam Garton Picture Book (2016)

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