7 Picture Books Perfect for Back to School Storytime

My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.), by Peter Brown
Bobby’s not exactly a bad kid, but he’s a rule bender, and his teacher, Ms. Kirby, is always quick to note his transgressions. That’s why Bobby believes his teacher to be a monster—and it doesn’t hurt that she roars, stomps, and possesses a distinct reptilian look. The two have a chance meeting at a park on the weekend, however, that drastically alters the course of their relationship. Maybe there’s a time and a place for horseplay, and perhaps teachers are a little more like people, after all?

Planet Kindergarten, 100 Days in Orbit, by Sue Ganz-Schmitt
In this madcap follow up to Planet Kindergarten, readers quickly realize that kindergarten is more than a grade—it’s a destination, and an accumulation of out-of-this-world adventures. On Planet Kindergarten, everyone was an alien at first, but soon they became friends, and after 100 days in orbit, they’ve learned so many new things, and had so much fun together! This is a perfect way to celebrate your little reader’s learning journey—blast off tonight!

First Grade, Here I Come!, by Tony Johnston and David Walker
Kindergarten is so…last year. “I’m zooming off to first grade now,” cheers an indefatigable, red-headed boy. He imagines all the fun he’ll have throughout the day, and the friends he can’t wait to share snacktime, lunchtime, show-and-tell, and, of course, recess with. Share this sweet story with your proud kindergarten graduate as soon as you can!

The Very Best Teacher, by Ye Shil Kim and Miku Moriuchi
To her 10 diligent rodent pupils, Ms. Tulip is the very best teacher, and her birthday’s tomorrow! Squeak! The mice frantically scurry around in search of the perfect gift, but they’re running out of time. It quickly becomes clear that a little teamwork is in order to get the very best for their irreplaceable Ms. Tulip. What ever will it be?

Maple & Willow Apart, by Lori Nichols
Through quiet, poignant prose, Nichols tells the story of two sisters separated by school. Maple and Willow are best friends, and, as their names suggest, they love to explore nature together. In fact, they spend all summer that way. But when the school bus picks Maple up for the first day of kindergarten, everything changes. Will they find a way to stay connected even though they live in different worlds now? The heartwarming conclusion will make this an instant favorite in your house.

Are We There, Yeti?, by Ashlyn Anstee:
The classic backseat refrain takes on a hilarious new twist when Bigfoot the Bus Driver takes his adventurous crew on a mysterious, extended field trip. The rapidly changing landscape out the bus windows is captured in Anstee’s whimsical, highly-detailed illustrations, and the bus doesn’t stop until the children reach distinctively Alpine surroundings. Bigfoot is at home here, but the kids have a lot of questions and exploring to do. Hop on for this hilarious romp—you may never look at road trips the same way again!

If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!, by Elise Parsley
Desperately searching for an entertaining way to ease your children back into a school-friendly mindset? Look no further than this hilarious cautionary tale. When Magnolia, our determined heroine, attempts to outdo her classmates on show-and-tell day with an alligator, her epic check-mate attempt soon lands her in checkmarks-on-the-chalkboard territory. Full of nonstop laughs and heart-pounding illustrations, this is a tale your little reader will never tire of!
What picture books are you reading this back-to-school season?