11 Sweet Picture Books for Back To School

The King of Kindergarten, by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
This empowering edict to one boy to begin kindergarten with royal confidence will warm any reader’s heart—and invite nervous young students to follow suit. The story models inviting others to play, sharing, and giving new activities a try—and shows how great things can come of these actions, like new friends, fun, and pride. “Hold your head high and greet everyone with a brilliant, beaming, majestic smile. For you are the King of Kindergarten,” Derrick Barnes encourages. Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s illustrations never disappoint, but her renderings of the African-American “King” and a diverse group of eager kindergarten classmates are particularly touching. This one belongs on any new kindergartener’s reading list.

So Big!, by Mike Wohnoutka
A little bear feels big as he gets ready for his first day of school—he gets dressed, packs his bag, pours his own cereal, and rides the bus. When he reaches school, though, the looming building also looks… SO BIG… and suddenly Bear feels tiny in comparison. When another timid classmate approaches the school steps, the two students brave the big door together, showing the youngest of readers that friends can make a scary situation feel manageable. The sparse text leave plenty of opportunities for children to notice details in the illustrations, and make connections to their own start-of-school experiences.

Mermaid School, by Joanne Stewart Wetzel, illustrated by Julianna Swaney
Under the sea, mermaids get a little anxious about starting school just like kids on land do. This story draws creative ocean-themed parallels to common school details; one mermaid boy hides in the kelp because he’s feeling shy, neatly labeled cubbies are nestled in a piece of coral, trumpetfish assist the music teacher, and the “Mermaid School Handbook” encourages students to leave their dogfish, catfish, and seahorses at home. Illustrated in pleasant, muted watercolors, this is a gently captivating title to introduce children to school norms.

Butterflies on the First Day of School, by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Dream Chen
Annie Silvestro always artfully captures childhood emotions. Rosie spends the summer brimming with confidence and excitement about starting school, but on the night before her big day, anxiety takes over. As the bus pulls up, her mother calls her nervous feelings “butterflies,” and Rosie’s imagination takes off. With each accomplishment—talking to a new friend on the bus, speaking aloud in class, participating in activities, and even reaching out to another worried classmate—Rosie’s butterflies flutter away one by one. This story is a lovely way to make releasing fears concrete for children.

If I Built a School, by Chris Van Dusen
If I Built a Car and If I Built a House are bookshelf staples, and this newest celebration of Jack’s big design dreams is destined to join their ranks. As an adult reading aloud, it’s hard not to snort with laughter as he proclaims to his teacher Miss Jane, “This school is OK, but it’s pitifully plain. / The builder who built this I think should be banned. / It’s nothing at all like the school I have planned.” Plan he does, with even more tunnels, automation and grand scale than his other brainstorms, and plenty of child-like gusto. Every kid who’s ever imagined a much, much cooler school will be swept away by this fun tale. (This one hits bookshelves August 13th, but you can pre-order it now!)

Goodbye Brings Hello: A Book of Firsts, by Dianne White, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman
This touching tribute to milestones begins, “There are many ways of letting go. / With each goodbye, a new hello.” This title sweetly honors the contrasting emotions that characterize transitions; it’s scary to stand at the edge of the swimming pool, but also exciting when you dive in. It’s surprising to feel your hair get cut off, but a new style feels good. As the book progresses, we see a family’s August calendar, with various events marked that culminate in the first day of school. The final pages show children saying goodbye to their families at the bus stop and hello to classmates. For young ones transitioning to a new school or starting for the very first time, this book gives concrete language and examples to help navigate the experience with grace.

Fairy’s First Day of School, by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Sara Not
A fairy mother prepares her little one for her first day of fairy school in charming detail. She’ll fly to school on the back of the schoolbird, hang up her backpack so her wings don’t get crushed, and sit “crisscross berrysauce” on the rug, raising her wand quietly to share. Of course, the mother’s gentle advice rings true even for non-fairy students: “If you’d like to join in, ask the other fairies, ‘Can I play?’” Little ones who love fairies will delight in this reimagining of one of life’s big events.

Click, Clack, Quack to School!, by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
A little back-to-school humor is always welcome, especially when provided by a gang of favorite characters. When Farmer Brown receives a note inviting him to bring the animals to Farm Day at the local elementary school, the whole barnyard moos, oinks and clucks with anticipation. The farmer launches into a firm discussion of school rules, though, squashing some of the excitement. The animals echo some children’s fears that school might not be so fun. Of course, they end up having a ball, and Duck provides one of his signature surprise endings. If you’re looking to chat with kids about expected behavior during different parts of the school day, this book is a playful conversation-starter.

All Are Welcome, by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Every child deserves to attend a school as beautiful in spirit as the one in this book. Families of every color and composition cross a city street together to greet diverse, smiling teachers. Children move through each aspect of the first school day to an echoed refrain, “All are welcome here.” While there are obvious opportunities for sharing this book as a classroom read aloud, enjoying it one-on-one is worthwhile as well, as kids will want to pore over details in the illustrations. Share it with your family and donate a copy to your school’s library.

The Truth About My Unbelievable School, by Davide Cali, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud
When his teacher asks him to give a new classmate a tour of the school, Henry acts like there’s nothing special to see. Young readers will immediately think otherwise, though; illustrations reveal a rocket ship under construction in the science room, a twisty slide leading to a treetop playground, a gurgling automated food server in the cafeteria, and more. The illustration of the levitating principal speaks to every kid’s wonder about what goes on behind office doors. This title injects some “out of this world” fun into going back to school.

The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez
The start of school can definitely bring worries for some children who feel different, isolated, or inferior to their peers. This gentle but wise title portrays the experiences of several such children as they enter a new classroom. It goes beyond empathizing though, empowering readers with the advice, “There will be times when you walk into a room / and no one there is quite like you until the day you begin / to share your stories.” A universally important message, for sure.