Children's books about going to school
21 back-to-school books to help kids adjust to school
Whether your child is strapping on a backpack for the first time or just starting a new year, the first day of school is nerve-wracking even in the best of times. With school schedules changing and continued precautions around coronavirus, parents can expect even more back-to-school jitters this year.
Parents can ease first-day jitters is by establishing the new routine ahead of time and reading books to prepare for the big day.
Books about starting school range from tender to hilarious. Try one of these picture books, a mix of old favorites and titles as new as your little student:
1. "Sounds Like School Spirit," by Meg Fleming and Lucy Ruth Cummins
This clever cheer-themed book is sure to get little ones in the school spirit with pep-rally style chants: "We say BOOK, you say BAG/We say NAME, you say TAG..." The equally cheerful illustrations make a great introduction to all the parts of school to shout about.
2. "A Hundred Thousand Welcomes," by Mary Lee Donovan and Lian Cho
Welcome children back to school in any language with this inclusive poem and illustrations that show multi-cultural greeting traditions.
3. "Wherever You'll Be," by Ariella Prince Guttman and Genevieve Godbout
This sweet poem from former TODAY producer Ariella Prince Guttman reminds children that wherever they'll be, parents will be thinking of them and waiting for a happy reunion.
4. "Little Ghoul Goes to School," by Jef Czekaj
Will the first day of school be ghastly? Little Ghoul can only hope so, but his worst fears come true when he arrives at school and finds his teacher is nice and lunch isn't revolting.
5. "My School Stinks!" by Becky Scharnhorst and Julia Patton
Wildwood Elementary stinks, literally, thanks to the creatures who share the school with an unhappy human. In humorous diary entries, he learns to go with the flow and forgive a nervous bite or two.
6. "First Day Critter Jitters," by Jory John and Liz Climo
If you think your child is nervous for the first day of school, just imagine how hard it would be for a snake to strap on a backpack. This funny picture book shares the first day anxieties of all sorts of critters, and will show little ones that everyone gets a little nervous.
7. "Danbi Leads the School Parade," by Anna Kim
Danbi has an extra-tough adjustment to make as she arrives at her first school in America. She'll use communication — verbal and non — to connect to her new classmates.
8. “The Day You Begin,” by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López
This touching read acknowledges the times when children feel different or misunderstood and encourages them to share their stories, so “the world opens itself up a little wider to make some space for you.”
9.
“We Don’t Eat Our Classmates,” by Ryan T. HigginsPenelope Rex is shocked to discover her classmates are children.
So she eats them. She’ll have to learn to keep her appetite in check if school is going to work out.
Mo Willems is back with his sixth Pigeon book, and this time Pigeon has to go to school, even though he already knows everything (and is maybe a little scared). What if he learns too much?
11. “The King of Kindergarten,” by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Conquering kindergarten is a snap for the hero of this story, who takes his first day in stride, makes friends and gets his royal rest. It's a burst of positivity and confidence.
12. “Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous: A First Day of School Dilemma,”by Keith Calabrese and Juana Medina
Lena is all ready for kindergarten. It’s just her shoes that are nervous. Good thing the rest of her closet can show them that the best things happen when we’re nervous.
13. “Mae’s First Day of School,” by Kate Berube
It’s Mae’s first day, and she doesn’t want to go.
What if she’s the only one who can’t read and misses her mom? In a sweet encounter with a classmate and new teacher, she’ll discover she’s not the only one.
14. “The Kissing Hand,” by Audrey Penn, Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to go to school. To ease his fears, Mrs. Raccoon shows him the Kissing Hand — a trick that might help any child worried about separation.
15. “School’s First Day of School,” by Adam Rex and Christian Robinson
Turns out even schools get nervous — and covered in nose milk. This first day from the school’s perspective shows how lucky the school and kids are.
16. “Truman,” by Jean Reidy and Lucy Ruth Cummins
Truman the turtle spends his days with Sarah, until she straps on a backpack and leaves, mysteriously. He’ll have to be brave to venture across the vast, unsettling landscape of home to find her.
17. “Owl Babies,” by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson
This sweet book about Mama’s safe return is recommended for preschoolers and children with separation anxiety.
18. “All Are Welcome,” by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman
This inclusive picture book shows exuberant children of all shades and religions. It’s a great reminder about embracing difference.
19. “Your First Day of Circus School,” by Tara Lazar and Melissa Crowton
What’s the first day of school like when the cafeteria’s a literal zoo? This fun take on the first day of school has a can-do spirit.
20. “Llama Llama Misses Mama,” by Anna Dewdney
It’s Llama Llama’s first day of school, and he feels so new. He’ll find out how fun it can be just in time for Mama Llama to come back.
21. “The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade,” by Justin Roberts and Christian Robinson
Nobody notices Sally McCabe, the smallest girl in the smallest grade. But by raising her hand she shows how a small voice can make a big difference.
For more stories like this, check out:
- 12 must-have back-to-school supplies — starting at $7
- State-by-state guide to school face mask mandates
- Metallic sneakers, printed joggers and more trending in back-to-school fashion
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Lisa Tolin
Lisa Tolin (she/her) is a contributor to TODAY.
Her debut picture book,"How to Be a Rock Star," illustrated by Daniel Duncan, published in 2022. Previously, she was head of special projects for TODAY and supervising health editor for NBC News Digital, and held various roles for The Associated Press, including East Coast lifestyle and entertainment editor.
Children's Books about Going to School
Is your child going to school for the first time? Read these children’s books about going to school to get him excited and ready for the big day.
My son was three-years-old when we first enrolled him in preschool. He described what he did (“We read Pete the Cat!”) and the projects he worked on. He talked about his classmates, what they played, and even what they wore (“Paul is the one with the black and white striped shirt.”).
That said, going to school hasn’t always gone so smoothly.
All my kids have felt both excited and anxious about spending hours away from their norm.
They’ve cried and clung to our arms, refusing to let go. Even returning to the same school meant adjusting to a new teacher and unfamiliar faces.
And of course, going to school these days has never looked so different.
Just this past week, their current school re-opened for a few hours of on-campus learning. While they see familiar faces from their computer screens, standing six feet apart and not having recess are just some of the strange adjustments they’ve had to make.
As I do with major changes, we read children’s books about going to school to sort through the emotions and expectations they may have.
Going to school, whether a new preschool or re-entering their campus, can be overwhelming. These books will help your child feel excited, or address the worries he might feel. To get the conversation going, check out my favorite children’s books about going to school:
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase.
Sounds Like School Spirit by Meg Fleming and Lucy Ruth Cummins
Little Ghoul Goes to School by Jef Czekaj
The Color Monster Goes to School by Anna Llenas
If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
David Goes to School by David Shannon
School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex
Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen
First Day of School by Mercer Mayer
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems
Curious George’s First Day of School by Margret and H. A. Rey
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Back-to-School Rules by Laurie Friedman
Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go to School! by Christina Geist
I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child
How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Jean Regan
This School Year Will Be the BEST! by Kay Winters
The Berenstain Bears Go to School by Stan Berenstain
Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London
The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? by Jane Yolen
Rufus Goes to School by Kim T.
Griswell
Get more tips:
- What to Do when Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go to School
- 6 Tips to Make Your Morning Routine for School Run Smoothly
- Help Your Child Transition to Preschool (and Calm Your Nerves as Well!)
- Useful Back to School Tips for Parents and Kids
- How to Get Your Child Interested in School
Free download: Want even more book selections? Join my newsletter and download the Read Aloud Book List! You’ll get hundreds of favorite selections to read aloud with your kids. Get it below—at no cost to you:
7 interesting books about school and students that children will like | Books
Children are especially interested in reading about their peers and the adventures they face in such a seemingly familiar environment as school. A selection of exciting, funny and instructive books about school and schoolchildren will allow children to take a fresh look at the learning process and escape from everyday boredom.
Naughty seven-year-old Hedwig is going to school soon, which means it's time for all sorts of interesting things and new acquaintances. For a girl, this is especially important, because she lives in a real wilderness, where there is not a single peer among the neighbors. Now she will be able to communicate with the guys - and for her it's like a breath of fresh air!
At first glance, Hedwig is a real minx. She is a little wild, and therefore every now and then makes her parents blush. But at the same time, she always feels the love of the household and the support of her relatives - isn't this important at such a difficult age, when any careless word can harm?
This book is a great option for family reading. It will allow you to get acquainted with the inner world of a 7-8 year old child, to understand his problems, experiences, feelings and thoughts.
This is a story about the inner world of a modern teenager and the problems of growing up.
The action of the story takes place in the city of Varlamov, and the characters are eighth-graders of one of the schools in the city.
Vera Odintsova's class is almost a real flock where you beat or beat you. Boys and girls are two neighboring clans with their leaders. Faith does not want to live by such laws. She dreams of becoming a writer, plays in the school theater, composes music, helps her beloved teacher. And it is these hobbies that help her change everything around.
An instructive book about a spoiled, obnoxious girl by Elizabeth Allen. The parents decide to send her to a boarding school, hoping that there their daughter will take the path of correction. No matter how! Elizabeth decides by all means to make sure that she is expelled. She begins to foul, be rude, do not follow the rules of the school. However, she did not take into account the fact that the school was not quite ordinary...
It is in this school that Elizabeth finds friends and reveals the best features of her character.
If a child has already read all of Dragunsky and Krapivin, then Olga Grosheva's book will definitely appeal to him.
The book is written in the format of short stories on behalf of an eight-year-old schoolboy Slavka, with whom various adventures happen every now and then: at school, at home and on the street. There is no fantasy, symbolism and hidden meanings here. Just the ordinary life of a modern student. For example, how Slavka's hooligan friends are transferred to a humanitarian class, and he himself remains to study in mathematics, where he soon has new comrades - excellent students.
Universal book for children and their parents - funny, unobtrusive, but leaving a positive impression. The narrative is built in the form of stories illustrating the most fun and incredible situations from school life.
Here you can find stories about children of all ages: from first graders to sixth graders. And the best part is that all the stories are real! The publication contains stories of children (of course, with the indication of authorship), which children from all over the country once sent to the editors of the Kostyor magazine.
“I'm not weird, I'm normal. All the others are weird. In fact, you are considered normal only because there are more of you! As if if there are more people, then they are right. By the way, most people thought the Earth was flat.” This book is a story of two boys who are not like everyone else. One of them is Lyova Inozemtsev, an unusual child, he is fond of mathematics and music. And... has color hearing. At school, he is considered strange and no one wants to be friends with him.
But life is still amazing, and as a result, Lyova's friend becomes the one who mocked him the most.
“This is a touching and fascinating story about us, curious children of all ages: small, grown up and old. This is a story about our thoughts and feelings, sorrows and joys, relationships with the world and people around us, and, of course, about first love.
"Scarecrow", Vladimir Zheleznikov (12+)
School is not only funny stories and friendship until the end of time, but also problems that sometimes have to be faced for the first time.
Lena Bessoltseva, new in the class, was nicknamed the "scarecrow" because of her eccentric grandfather, who leads a secluded life. Trying to win favor, Lena tries to smile at all the barbs of the class leaders, but such strange behavior only angers and annoys the offenders.
One day Lena comes face to face with the betrayal of a classmate whom she considered to be truly close. She becomes a real outcast: she is harassed and boycotted.
The book deals with difficult topics: teenage cruelty, betrayal, dissent. The story of one little man with a pure soul and a big heart will not leave indifferent any schoolchild.
Books about school and schoolchildren
On the threshold of primary school age, a child is overwhelmed by many questions. Will I be interested? Am I good at studying? Will my classmates like me and will I like them? Will the teacher be too strict? It will be easier to adapt to the school if the future first grader understands well what awaits him within its walls.
Good books from recognized classics and modern authors will help to create a positive image of the school, feel the atmosphere of lessons and changes, imagine yourself as a student and prepare for a new status psychologically.
"Funny stories about schoolchildren"
The genre of school stories has been very popular with authors and readers since the very beginning of the school. Funny and sad, tense and frivolous, lyrical and detective ... Stories about the school can be anything, because anything can happen at school! But the funny still outweighs. The book "Funny stories about schoolchildren" includes stories by V. Dragunsky, V. Golyavkin, V. Oseeva, I. Pivovarova, M. Druzhinina and I. Antonova about the first friendship and first love, about mischievous pranks and comic stories that happen with schoolchildren every day.
Leonid Kaminsky. "Laughter Lesson"
Humor should be a separate school subject along with mathematics or life safety, the children's writer Leonid Kaminsky believed.
This book is the first and only collection of school self-irony of its kind. Leonid Kaminsky collected and illustrated an extensive collection of children's real stories about school, conversations at breaks and on the street, and answers at the blackboard, after which the teacher takes out valerian, and classmates begin to hiccup with laughter. Funny color illustrations for the stories are also drawn by the author.
M. Marlier, J. Delae. "Marusya goes to school"
The ruddy girl Marusya is known in all corners of the world, and in her native France, stories about Marus-Martin (in each country the heroine is called differently) are included in the compulsory reading program of elementary school. The stories about her are very simple, they have a lot of active action and lively dialogues, and they are typed in large print as comfortable as possible for the first reading. Each plot of the series is a small adventure that is suddenly assembled from the most ordinary circumstances at first glance.
But the main thing in the books about Marus is, of course, the charming postcard illustrations of Marcel Marlier, which you can’t help but fall in love with. The collection "Marusya Goes to School" includes three stories that tell about why it is so important to study, what school is and how it works.
E. Uspensky. "Uncle Fyodor goes to school"
The stories of Eduard Uspensky about the inhabitants of the village of Prostokvashino go far beyond the legendary cartoons. From this book you will learn how the Internet was brought to the legendary village and what came of it. In addition to the title fairy tale, the book includes witty poems by the author on the topic of study: “A task for the prince”, “Memory”, “Accents”, “Loser” and others.
Yu. Aleshkovsky. "Shoo and Two Portfolios"
The story of friendship between a first grader Alyosha, who on the very first day of school was given the nickname Two Briefcase for his small stature, and his puppy Kysh is familiar to many from the film “Shoo and Two Briefcases”.
Not everyone knows that it was based on the book of the same name by Yuz Aleshkovsky - a bright, lively and very instructive work about how important the trust of adults is for young students. Alyosha and Kysha are in for incredible adventures - almost a detective story with kidnapping, chase and, of course, a happy ending!
M. Druzhinina. "It Happens"
The stories of Marina Druzhinina are guaranteed to cheer up anyone who reads them. Simple, bright, naive, they very accurately convey the worldview of a schoolboy who discovers the wisdom of adult life. It will be easy for children to try on the roles of Druzhinina's heroes, understand and share their interests and learn a little more about what awaits them outside the school door.
I. Zartaiskaya. "Tim the Bunny Goes to School"
Irina Zartaiskaya's book "Tim the Bunny Goes to School" is an excellent choice for those who want to prevent children's fears associated with entering first grade.
The fairy tale describes the first day of school of a very cute and very anxious hare. The story helps to set the child in a positive way and not to worry about trifles. The first day of school is a holiday, which means that there is a place for joy and even magic.
Big Book of Funny Stories
This large colorful book includes stories from books about school childhood: "Lyolya and Minka", "Deniska's stories", "Notebooks in the rain", "Stories of a little boy" ... Among the authors are well-known and famous L. Panteleev, M. Zoshchenko , V. Dragunsky, V. Oseeva, R. Pogodin, others. And modern writers I. Antonova, M. Druzhinina, Tim Sobakin, I. Gamazkova, Lion Izmailov, others. Laugh to your health!
I. Tokmakova. “Alya, Klyaksich, the letter “A” and others”
It will be much easier to tune in to gaining knowledge if you present learning as a game. This will help the story of Irina Petrovna Tokmakova "Alya, Klyaksich, the letter "A" and others.
" Interesting tasks are deftly beaten by the author in an adventure story. The villain Klyaksich wants to replace all the letters in the primer with blots so that the girl Alya cannot write a letter to her mother. Fortunately, the brave letter “A” comes to the aid of Alya… The book is complemented by expressive illustrations by Lev Tokmakov. With such a book, the child himself will not notice how he will master the alphabet and want to learn how to write!
Daniels G. Witch Cake, or How Ella Went to School
Little witch Ella is not like all her brothers. She does not like black, is afraid of spiders and loves frivolous sequins and bows. But like everyone else, Ella needs to go to first grade. This is where the nightmare begins: the magic does not obey it, and you don’t want to scare people. One day, Ella gets the chance to come up with her own unique recipe for a magical dish for the Big Magic Cooking Competition and prove to everyone what she is capable of.
