School children books

Best Back-to-School Books for the First Days of School

The first days of back-to-school can truly set the stage for the entire school year with students. And read-aloud books are a perfect way to get to know one another, encourage class discussions, and figure out which values will define your class’s identity. Here are 46 of our favorite back-to-school books plus follow-up activities for each one.

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1. Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School by Emily Jenkins

An energetic, funny book that follows Harry through the first 100 days of first grade—from name games to making friends to learning how to be a friend. It’s broken into short chapters, so add this to your list of back-to-school books for a fun way to start your first days of school.

Buy it: Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Start a 100-link paper chain to mark your first 100 days together, or try one of these fun activities.

2. The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague

When a child is born, their circle is very small. As they grow, the circle around them grows to include family, friends, and neighbors. This sweet story is perfect for back-to-school to set the tone for enlarging our circles to include new friends and experiences.

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Buy it: The Circles All Around Us at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Watch this video, adorably narrated by the author’s children.

3. Principal Tate Is Running Late! by Henry Cole

Looking for funny back-to-school books? When Principal Tate is running late, the students, teachers, parents, and visitors at Hardy Elementary School must come together to keep school running smoothly.

Buy it: Principal Tate Is Running Late! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Try one (or more) of these fun team-building activities with your students.

4. Hello World! by Kelly Corrigan

Everywhere we go, we can meet interesting people who add value to our lives. This charmingly illustrated book is a great conversation starter to help your students get to know one another.

Buy it: Hello World! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Try one (or more) of these icebreaker activities with your students.

5. A Letter From Your Teacher on the First Day of School by Shannon Olsen

In this heartwarming book, a teacher writes a love note to her students. She shares all the things she is looking forward to for the school year and all the fun things they will share.

Buy it: A Letter From Your Teacher at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to turn to a friend and share what they are most looking forward to this school year.

6. Butterflies on the First Day of School by Annie Silvestro

If you’re looking for the best back-to-school books to ease your students’ butterflies, try this sweet story. Rosie gets a new backpack and can hardly wait for school to start. But the first morning, she’s not so sure. “You just have butterflies in your belly,” her mom tells her.

Buy it: Butterflies on the First Day of School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Play a game of toss-around. Form a circle and begin by telling your students how you are feeling about the new school year. For example, “I was nervous, but now I’m excited.” Toss the ball to a student so they can share how they’re feeling. Play continues until every student who wants to has had a chance to participate.

7. The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi

An inspirational rhyming book that teaches kids the power of “yet.” We all have a lot to learn in life, and sometimes skills we wish we had just aren’t there … yet. A book about perseverance and having faith in yourself. Add this to your list of back-to-school books that teach growth mindset.

Buy it: The Magical Yet at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to write an entry in their journal about something they are hoping to learn or get better at this year.

8. My Wild First Day of School by Dennis Mathew

This humorous book by the author of Bello the Cello encourages kids to be brave, take a risk, and try something new.

Buy it: My Wild First Day of School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Brainstorm a list of “what if” questions with your students. Tap into their hopes and wishes and set the stage for an amazing year.

9. Most Marshmallows by Rowboat Watkins

If you’re looking for best back-to-school books about individuality, you’re going to want to check out this quirky tale. It’s all about marching to the beat of your own drummer. What would happen if you dreamed big?

Buy it: Most Marshmallows at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to write in their journals about what makes them unique.

10. If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen

Hover desks? Robo-chef in the cafeteria? Field trips to Mars? The main character of this school story has some out-of-this-world ideas about what his ideal school would look like.

Buy it: If I Built a School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to draw a picture, with captions and explanations, showing what their perfect school would look like.

11. Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

A young girl learns the musicality of African, Asian, Black American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names and returns to school eager to share with her classmates.

Buy it: Your Name Is a Song at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Go around the circle and ask each student if there is a story behind their name.

12. Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen

Back-to-school books like this one show your class that they are a family, no matter whether they meet for online or in-person learning.

Buy it: Our Class Is a Family at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have each student draw an image of their family and “extended family.”

13. Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hische

Sometimes the smallest gesture of kindness goes a long way. Reading sweet back-to-school books like this one teaches young ones how to be good friends and classmates.

Buy it: Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to share what is the most important thing about being a good friend.

14. I Got the School Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison

Students will love the rhythm and sounds in this book about back-to-school spirit. VROOM, VROOM! RING-A-DING! 

Buy it: I Got the School Spirit at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to share the sounds they identify with school!

15. Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems

Mo Willems has written some fantastic back-to-school books. In this one, when Gerald tells Piggie he has a surprise for him, Piggie can hardly wait. In fact, he has a hard time waiting all day! But when the sun goes down, and the Milky Way fills the night sky, Piggie learns that some things are worth the wait.

Buy it: Waiting Is Not Easy! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask your students to turn to a partner and share a time that they had to wait for something.

16. Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go to School! by Christina Geist

If you’re looking for back-to-school books for students who are having a hard time leaving their parents, this sweet tale is a good pick. Perfect for the child who is feeling a little nervous about going to school, this story features a family that doesn’t want to be left behind.

Buy it: Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go to School! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Draw a picture of what school would look like if students’ moms and dads came to school with them.

17. The Pigeon Has to Go to School! by Mo Willems

Want more back-to-school books by Mo Willems? This silly picture book addresses many of the fears and anxieties that little ones feel as they get ready to go to school for the first time.

Buy it: The Pigeon Has to Go to School! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: This one will get kids riled up, so after reading, have them stand up and shake their sillies out.

18. School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex

There are books about children, parents, and teachers being nervous for the first day of school. This adorable book examines the first day of school from the perspective of the school itself.

Buy it: School’s First Day of School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Project a photo of your school onto the board as inspiration as kids draw and color in their own image of school.

19. Brown Bear Starts School by Sue Tarsky

Sweet little Brown Bear worries about the first day of school, but soon he realizes he is more capable than he thought.

Buy it: Brown Bear Starts School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students turn and talk about one worry they had before school started.

20. Pirates Don’t Go to Kindergarten! by Lisa Robinson

Need back-to-school books for kindergartners? Ahoy, mateys! Pirate Emma has a hard time transitioning from her beloved preschool captain to the new captain aboard the S. S. Kindergarten.

Buy it: Pirates Don’t Go to Kindergarten! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to share their favorite things about preschool, which you can record on a piece of chart paper. As you list them, tell students something that will be just as fun about kindergarten.

21. The Cool Bean by Jory John and Pete Oswald

Once “peas in a pod,” poor chickpea doesn’t fit in with the other beans anymore. Despite having grown apart, the other beans are always there to lend a hand when chickpea is in need.

Buy it: The Cool Bean at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to write about a friend from whom they have grown apart.

22. How To Read a Book by Kwame Alexander

Back-to-school books can inspire students with beautiful illustrations about the miraculous pleasures of reading that will inspire the book lover in all of us. One reader gushes, “Every page is a wonder as the words and art melt into one.”

Buy it: How To Read a Book at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask students to write one colorful sentence in praise of reading.

23. The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton

The bubbly main character of this sweet story is bursting with excitement for the first day of school. His confidence will be contagious for your new kindergartners.

Buy it: The King of Kindergarten at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students turn to a neighbor and tell them the one thing they were most excited about on the first day of school.

24. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Starting fresh in a new environment, especially when you look around and think that nobody quite looks or sounds like you, can be scary. This lovely story will inspire your students to understand the gifts of individuality.

Buy it: The Day You Begin at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have your students play get-to-know-you bingo to find out just how much they have in common with their classmates.

25. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

A lovely story that celebrates diversity and inclusion in a school where everyone, no matter their dress or skin color, is welcomed with open arms.

Buy it: All Are Welcome at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Create an anchor chart of character traits. Brainstorm with your students all the ways they are alike and some of the ways they may be different.

26. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

One of the silliest back-to-school books, this story will crack up your students. Little Penelope Rex is nervous about going to school for the first time. She has some very important questions: What are my classmates going to be like? Will they be nice? How many teeth will they have? Little ones will relate to this charming story.

Buy it: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask your students to share some of the questions they wondered about before starting school.

27. You’re Finally Here! by Mélanie Watt

A perfect first read-aloud book to show your students how excited you are to finally meet them! Follow along with the main character, Bunny, as he bounces through a hilarious range of emotions. All of your students will recognize the back-to-school feelings beneath the surface of this silly, in-your-face story.

Buy it: You’re Finally Here! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students draw a self-portrait that shows the strongest emotion they felt coming into school this year.

28. First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of their stomach at the prospect of being the newbie. Sarah Hartwell is scared and doesn’t want to start over at a new school. Kids will love the delightful surprise ending of this sweet story!

Buy it: First Day Jitters at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students write about a time they were scared and how their situation turned out! Or have students partner with a friend and tell their stories to each other.

29. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

When Unhei, a young Korean girl, arrives at her new school in the United States, she begins to wonder if she should also choose a new name. Does she need an American name? How will she choose? And what should she do about her Korean name? This heartwarming story speaks to anyone who has ever been the new kid or welcomed one into their familiar surroundings.

Buy it: The Name Jar at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have groups of students brainstorm ten different ways they could make a new student feel welcome in class and create a poster to display.

30. The Exceptionally, Extraordinarily Ordinary First Day of School by Albert Lorenz

John is the new kid in school. When asked if the school is any different from his last one, he weaves a wildly creative tale that captures the attention of his new classmates. A hilarious story about conquering the fear of being the new kid.

Buy it: The Exceptionally, Extraordinarily Ordinary First Day of School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students write a tall tale about what school was like last year to share with their new classmates.

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

You might think a book with no pictures would be serious and boring, but this book has a catch! Everything, and we mean everything, written on the page must be read out loud by the person reading the book, regardless of how goofy and preposterous it may be. Irresistibly silly!

Buy it: The Book With No Pictures at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students work with a new friend or partner to create their own short book with no pictures. (Be sure to set clear parameters about content before letting students create.)

32. Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat! by Rob Scotton

How can there be homework when it’s only the first day of school? Splat must pick only one of all of his fun summer adventures to share with his classmates at show-and-tell.

Buy it: Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: First-day-of-school homework, of course! Have students write about one of their favorite summer adventures.

33. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff

You know the routine … if you take a mouse to school, he’ll ask you for your lunch box. When you give him your lunch box, he’ll want a sandwich to go in it. Then he’ll need a notebook and some pencils. He’ll probably want to share your backpack, too. Another silly story from one of our favorite authors that is not only fun but lays the groundwork for teaching sequencing.

Buy it: If You Take a Mouse to School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Using a long, narrow sheet of paper folded accordion-style, have students create their own “If You Take …” book. Students can build on the mouse story or create a character of their own.

34. Dear Teacher by Amy Husband

This hilarious collection of letters from Michael to his new teacher comes packed with alligators, pirates, rocket ships, and much, much more. Can Michael’s imagination save him from the first day of school?

Buy it: Dear Teacher at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students write a postcard to a friend or family member telling them about their fun first week of school!

35.

In a charming role reversal, the students in this story gently guide their teacher through the getting-ready process for back-to-school. Your students will laugh and surely learn a lesson or two themselves.

Buy it: How To Get Your Teacher Ready at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students compile a list of rules that will help their teacher have the best year ever.

36. If You Ever Want To Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! by Elise Parsley

An alligator for show-and-tell sounds like TONS of fun. What could possibly go wrong? Magnolia is determined to have the best show-and-tell ever. What will she do when her reptilian pal starts wreaking havoc in the classroom? This hilarious story is sure to inspire even the timidest of show-and-tellers.

Buy it: If You Ever Want To Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students write a story or draw a picture about something outrageous they would bring to school for show-and-tell.

37. This School Year Will Be the Best! by Kay Winters

On the first day of school, new classmates are asked to share what they hope for in the upcoming year. The children’s wishes, from the familiar to the off-the-wall, are shown in humorously exaggerated illustrations. As the first day draws to a close, there can be no doubt this school year will definitely be the best!

Buy it: This School Year Will Be the Best! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students draw a star, put their name in the middle, and write one wish for the school year on each point (total of five). Then, have them loop a colorful ribbon through a hole on top to hang from the classroom ceiling.

38. Back-to-School Rules by Laurie Friedman

School is in session! When it comes to surviving school, Percy has ten simple rules that show there is more to school than showing up on time and staying awake in class, including no spitballs, no running in the halls, and no crazy scheming! See what other trouble—and tips—Percy has in mind!

Buy it: Back-to-School Rules at Amazon

Follow-up activity: As a whole class, brainstorm “rules” that will make this year the best ever. Then, have students transfer their ideas to a class-promise poster that can hang prominently for the rest of the year. Have each student sign their name to make it official.

39. David Goes to School by David Shannon

David’s antics in the classroom will make your students giggle with recognition. He’s so enthusiastic about going back to school! But David needs to learn that every classroom needs rules so that every student can learn.

Buy it: David Goes to School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Gather the whole class on the rug. Select a few students to act out “bad” behavior and ask the other students to explain why the behavior is not OK for the classroom. Then have the same students act out the “good” behavior. Repeat with different sets of students to address the different rules you are reinforcing in your classroom.

40. A Place Called Kindergarten by Jessica Harper

One of the best back-to-school books for kindergartners, this story will help ease their worries before the event. Tommy’s barnyard friends are worried! He’s gone to a place called kindergarten. They wonder what will happen to him and if he will ever come back. Eventually, he returns with exciting tales of all the fun and learning he’s had.

Buy it: A Place Called Kindergarten at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have your students take a “field trip” around the school to learn more about their new “barnyard.”

41. Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? by Audrey Vernick

Is your buffalo ready for kindergarten? Does he play nicely with friends? Check. Share his toys? Check. Is he smart? Check!

Buy it: Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Follow along with Buffalo’s checklist in this hilarious look at first-day-of-school jitters.

42. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books! by Lucille Colandro

We’ve all heard about the old lady who swallowed a fly. Well, now she’s getting ready for back-to-school and is swallowing up a whole assortment of things to make it the best first day ever!

Buy it: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Trace the image of the old lady from the book cover without the books in her hands. Make a copy for each of your students and have them fill in the picture and write a sentence about what they would “swallow” for the first weeks of school if they were the old lady.

43. School Is Cool! by Sabrina Moyle

Holy smokes, tomorrow is the first day of school! The characters in this story have lots of needless worries as they discover that school is cool.

Buy it: School Is Cool! at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students do a turn and share about one thing they were worried about before the new school year started and how they are feeling about their worry now.

44. Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London

Lovable favorite Froggy is off for his first day of school. His mama is worried, but not him! He hops off with his trademark enthusiasm and curiosity.

Buy it: Froggy Goes to School at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Together with your class, make a “top-ten best things about school” poster. Ask for students’ input, then vote on the top ten.

45. Chairs on Strike by Jennifer Jones

Everyone’s excited about going back to school. Everyone, that is, but the classroom chairs. They’ve had enough of wiggly bottoms and smelly kids and go on strike to protest.

Buy it: Chairs on Strike at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Ask for volunteers to play the part of the different chairs and act out the story. Have a few rounds so that as many students that want to participate can.

46. It’s OK to Be Different by Sharon Purtill

If you’re looking for a back-to-school book that embraces the uniqueness of your class, this is a lovely tale that subtly broaches the subjects of diversity and kindness in a way that students can grasp.

Buy it: It’s OK to Be Different at Amazon

Follow-up activity: Have students reflect about the one thing that they think is truly unique about themselves and write a paragraph (or more) about this trait in their journals.

What are your favorite back-to-school books? Share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, if you like these back-to-school books, check out all of our book lists here.

12 books for little ones starting school

Looking for more in Book Lists?

The first day of school can be a worrying time for children. Help to settle those first day nerves with some familiar friends and gentle, reassuring stories.

Belinda Worsley Jean Adamson Topsy and Tim start school

The classic Topsy and Tim books offer reassurance to families as they navigate through the key milestones of childhood. In this story, the twins embark on their first day at school and discover plenty about the routines of the day – from playground fun to school dinners! The original Topsy and Tim artwork may have been brought up to date, but the instantly recognisable brother and sister still hold a trusted place in the heart of parents, carers and those working in education settings.

Adam Rex Neil Gaiman Chu's first day at school

The adorable, sneezing panda returns in this special story about the big questions that little people may ask before starting to school. 'What will happen?' and 'will people like me?' Chu asks his mum and dad the night before school. His worries are obviously allayed after his first day and the strong message about being yourself is a lovely one to share with children. The use of repetition and loud sound effects make this perfect for reading aloud!

Derrick Barnes Vanessa Brantley-Newton Queen of the Classroom

Mama and Daddy help MJ get ready for her first day of school - and, through a little kindness and caring, MJ shows that she is queen of the classroom! MJ's experiences and acts of kindness in this adorable picture book will show children that starting school doesn't have to be daunting, and that experiences like these are what you make them. Warm illustrations with bright colours make the classroom environment seem inviting, helping to calm the jitters that many children might be feeling before their first day of school.

Lauren Child I am too absolutely small for school

Big brother Charlie is on hand to convince his anxious sister Lola that going to school is a worthwhile exercise in this sweet, hilarious picture book for children about to start school. Lola is full of excuses as to why she doesn't need school, but quickly realises that she could be missing out on lots of fun. Child's unique illustrative style helps to bring this quirky picture book to life - the use of mixed media and collage ensuring that no two pages are the same. This is certainly a book to be read again and again - with new things to discover on each reading.

Allan Ahlberg Janet Ahlberg Starting School

Teachers may not collect actual dinner money like they used to, but so much else in this timeless picture book still rings true. Helping children navigate their way through their first day of school in a fun, but highly informative way, this book is perfect for calming any first day jitters. It also reassures little ones (and their grown-ups) that as their first week passes, they will get more and more used to their new routines and what's expected of them at school. As with all of the Ahlberg's picture books, the illustrations are a delight.

Adrian Reynolds Ian Whybrow Harry and the dinosaurs go to school

Finding a book with familiar characters who are embarking on the same experience as your child can be a great way to address a big milestone. In this reassuring story, Harry and his dinosaurs are all feeling a little nervous about their first day at school. We love how the dinosaurs all have their own personalities and anxieties - many of which will be familiar to little ones in the same situation. This is a positive and uplifting story with engaging illustrations - great for sharing with preschoolers.

Richard Byrne This book belongs to Aye-Aye

Less of a story about starting school, and more of a lesson for young children about the importance of being true to yourself, this school adventure is a joy to share with little ones. The unconventional protagonist - Aye-Aye - is determined to win the class prize for being the most helpful animal. But when foul play and bullying presents itself, Aye-Aye remains true to his values. A great message about resilience and humanity in the classroom, told with the help of Byrne's fun, expressive illustrations.

Caryl Hart Leonie Lord Whiffy Wilson: The wolf who wouldn’t go to school

Unlike other books which address pre-school nerves in general, this particular story explores the concerns of a little wolf who can't count to ten and has never learnt to write his name. Thankfully, his friend Daisy takes him under her wing and he soon discovers that school involves lots of opportunities to learn through play and have fun with friends. This rhyming book lends itself perfectly to being read aloud to a group and the lively illustrations are engaging and fun for a young audience.

Ali Pye Simon Puttock Mouse's first night at Moonlight School

This book was a favourite of P1 children in 2016 who voted it the winner of the Scottish Children’s Book Award. Many children starting school will be able to relate to shy, nervous Mouse as she embarks on her first night at Moonlight School. But with the help of her friends Owl, Bat and Miss Moon her teacher, she’s soon having great fun. A very calm, reassuring read for little ones.

Britta Teckentrup Mark Sperring Never take a bear to school

There are many reasons not to take a bear to school: they are big; they are clumsy; they eat so much food at lunchtime! This stylish book reminds children that it's normal to feel apprehensive about starting school - but that with so much fun to be had during the day, they will soon realise they don't need their bear - or other comforter - at their side. A funny, adorable book with pitch perfect text and illustrations.

Jan Lewis First time (school)

Books that talk about first experiences are ideal to use as conversation starters with children. This wonderfully simple book does just this - it poses questions about school from a little one's perspective and the conversational style makes it feel very natural. There's a diverse range of children represented on each page, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to see themselves in this story. And the additional material at the end also encourages parents, carers and teachers to have further dialogue with little ones before they start school.

Alison Brown Debi Gliori Little Owl's first day

This gentle, comforting story is ideal for children about to embark on their first day at school or nursery. Little ones may feel anxious about being separated from the family when they're about to start something new, but as Little Owl soon realises in this story, spending your day with friends can be such great fun! The illustrations are natural and expressive, bringing the text to life just perfectly.

Top 100 New Books for Children and Teenagers

Beautifully designed children's books for every taste are littered with bookshelves. But to find a book in this stream that will really interest a child - it doesn’t matter if it’s a kindergartener or a teenager - is an almost impossible task. You can rely on luck and try to look for a needle in a haystack. But it is better to use our recommendations. Mel publishes a list of the 100 best new books for children aged 1 to 17, which was presented by the Gaidar Children's Library.

The Arkady Gaidar Moscow City Children's Library has released its regular annual catalog "The 100 Best New Books for Children and Teenagers 2016". Library staff, together with experts from the Samokat and Grand Fair publishing houses, selected the highest quality new book releases - reissues and brand new works - to guide parents on the literature market. Among them are collections of poems, comic books, artistic and educational works by Russian and foreign authors. Mel studied this catalog, divided it into age categories, supplemented it with information from online bookstores, and presents it to its readers.

Age: 1-6 years old

1. Shel Silverstein. Generous tree. Melik-Pashayev Publishing House

Once upon a time there lived a boy. Every day he came to play in the meadow where a wild apple tree grew. The boy climbed up its trunk, swayed on the branches and ate its fruits. The apple tree gave the boy everything he needed to be happy. But time passed, the boy grew up, and for happiness he needed much more: money, his own house, a solid boat . .. And the apple tree gave itself all without a trace, if only the boy would fulfill his dreams and be happy.

This bright parable about true love that demands nothing in return was first published in 1964 and has been traveling the world for half a century. The book has long been in the world bestseller ratings, has been translated into more than 30 languages, and its total circulation over the years has exceeded eight million copies.

Shel Silverstein was a versatile man: musician, artist, screenwriter, playwright, novelist and poet. His musical compositions have received Grammy awards and Oscar nominations for Best Score. But Silverstein became world famous primarily for his children's books, which he himself illustrated.

2. Yuriy Koval. Collection of poems "How many crocodiles you want." Samokat Publishing House

3. Vadim Levin. Poems with mustard. Samokat Publishing House

4. Marina Boroditskaya. Collection of poems "Maykin's book". Clever Media Group Publishing House

5. Anastasia Orlova. This is a truck and this is a trailer. Rosmen Publishing House

6. Christina Andres. How to tame wolves. Rare Bird Publishing House

7. Rafik Shami, Catherine Scherer. Mouse fears. Rare Bird Publishing House

8. Lorenz Pauli. Only all together. Rare Bird Publishing House

9. Brigitte Endres, Joel Turlogna. Listen, I'm here! The story of a little chameleon. Enas-kniga publishing house

10. Bulat Okudzhava. Fairy tale-parable "Charming adventures". Vremya Publishing House

These were letters to my son, then a four-year-old boy, written in large letters, with funny pictures. Okudzhava sent them from Yalta so that his son would not be sad in separation. Once these letters were seen by the poetess Bella Akhmadulina. “Yes, this is a finished book!” she exclaimed. On her advice, Okudzhava combined all the letters into a fairy tale. It was almost immediately translated into several languages ​​and published in the Czech Republic, Poland, Georgia, Israel, and Japan. So the heroes of the philosophical fairy tale-parable "Charming Adventures" in many countries are known as well as "The Little Prince" or "The Seagull named Jonathan Livingston".

The book was published twice in Russian, both times with illustrations by the author. It sold out very quickly and became almost a museum rarity - only a few copies are kept in the Bulat Okudzhava house-museum in Peredelkino. But now the "Charming Adventures" begins a new life. The fairy tale was designed by the artist Evgeny Antonenkov.

11. Robert McCloskey. Blueberries for Sasha. Pink Giraffe Publishing House

12. Torben Kuhlmann. "Lindberg. The Incredible Adventures of the Flying Mouse. Polyandria Publishing House

13. Josef Capek. Adventures of Dog and Kitty. Azbuka Publishing House

14. Nastya Kovalenkova. A drop. Art-Volkhonka Publishing House

15. Evgeny Anisimov, Nikita Andreev. From mast to keel. DETGIZ Publishing House

16. Helia Pevzner, Maria Maramzina. Jam Nostradamus. Art-Volkhonka Publishing House

17. Nina Dashevskaya. Willy. CompassGuide Publishing House

18. Anastasia Orlova. Collection of poems "We are sailing on a boat" . Publishing House "Children's Time"

19. Airat Bagautdinov. What Shukhov came up with. Art Volkhonka Publishing House

20. Ilya Kolmanovsky. Why don't birds fall? Pink Giraffe Publishing House

The author of the well-loved Pocket Scientist podcasts, biologist, journalist and head of the biological laboratory of the Polytechnic Museum has written a funny and very interesting children's encyclopedia. There are no complicated terms and long articles here. The text is divided into small chapters, and even a novice reader can master each.

21. Alexander Blinov. Stories of a fat boy. Art-Volkhonka Publishing House

22. William McCleary. A story about a wolf. Career Press

23. Kate DiCamillo. Flora and Odysseus. Brilliant adventure." Makhaon Publishing House

24. Anastasia Strokina. The whale is sailing north. CompassGuide Publishing House

25. Thornton Burgess "Mother West Wind". Career Press

26. Joyce Seedman. Living spirals. Publishing house "Career Press"

27. Petr Bagin. Picture book "In the forest". Melik-Pashayev Publishing House

28. Alan Serr. I have the right to be a child. Samokat Publishing House

Age: 6-12 years old

29. William Grill. “Lost in the ice. Shackleton Expedition. Mann, Ivanov & Ferber

At the end of the "golden age of polar exploration", British explorer Ernest Shackleton embarked on a long-distance expedition to cross the frozen heart of Antarctica. But his plans did not come true. The ship "Endurance", having approached the mainland, was tightly locked in ice and sank. Left without a ship, thousands of miles from home, the team made a desperate attempt to escape and set off across the Antarctic ice in search of help.

The true story of Shackleton's heroic expedition entered the history of polar exploration as an example of the courage and endurance of people who managed to survive in extreme conditions.

British artist William Grill retells the story to the children, embellishing it with stunning illustrations that recreate the smallest details of the expedition with documentary accuracy.

30. Elsie Homeland Minarik. Cycle of stories "Bear cub". Pink Giraffe Publishing House

31. Bjorn Ousland. "Nansen. Through Greenland" and other books in the "Great Expeditions" series. Paulsen Publishing

32. Ted Hughes. Iron Man. Career Press Publishing House

33. Maria Gripe. Fairy tale "Children of the glassblower". White Crow Publishing House

34. Radiy Pogodin. Fairy tale "Tournament in the Kingdom of Fiofigas". Samokat Publishing House

35. Roald Dahl. The story "Piglets". Samokat Publishing House

36. Jan Grabowski. The story "Tuzik, Red and guests". Melik-Pashaev Publishing House

37. Angie Trius, Mark Doran. “Animals are doctors. How animals heal each other. Mann, Ivanov and Ferber Publishing House

38. Daniel Nassar. Animal architects. How animals build their homes. Mann, Ivanov and Ferber Publishing House

39. Vladimir Babenko. Crow and her relatives. Rare Bird Publishing House

40. Oleg Bundur. "Towards the polar bear." Rosmen Publishing House

How many of us have been to the North Pole, seen polar bears walking on huge ice floes? And who rode a real nuclear icebreaker? The author of the book "Meet the White Bear" Oleg Bundur succeeded. On the icebreaker "50 Years of Victory" he traveled across the Arctic Ocean to the very Pole and back. And he wrote a book to tell the children about all the amazing things he saw. In a simple and understandable language, the author talks about polar bears, seals and northern birds, about parallels and meridians, about orders on a ship, and even explains the design of an atomic engine.

41. Ulf Svedberg, Lena Anderson. "All year round". White Crow Publishing House

42. Olga Dvornyakova. Snowflake book. Nastya and Nikita Publishing House

43. Owen Davey. Crazy about monkeys. Mann, Ivanov and Ferber Publishing House

44. Thorstein Hellewe, Esther van Hülsen. "Ida. A look from the past". Walk to History Publishing House

45. Martin Sodomka. Books in the "Technical Tales" series: "How to assemble a motorcycle", "How to assemble a car", "How to assemble an airplane". Mann, Ivanov and Ferber Publishing House

46. Alexander Tkachenko. And we have running water. Nastya and Nikita Publishing House

47. Natalia Sapunkova. "Incarnation of Time". Nastya and Nikita Publishing House

48. Anke Ber. Endres, son of a merchant. From the life of a medieval city. Walking into History Publishing House

49. Katherine Timmesch. Designed by girls. Stories about outstanding inventors. Mann, Ivanov and Ferber

50. Alexey Oleinikov. Say hello to me. Samokat Publishing House

In Russia, people of different nationalities lived side by side for centuries and found a common language. Today, those whom we until recently called "residents of the fraternal republics" have suddenly become "migrants." If we explain who migrants really are, why they were forced to leave their native places, if we open the door to their culture, perhaps we will coexist more harmoniously. Stories about migrants are the subject of Aleksey Oleinikov's book Hello.

51. Faina Osmanova. The gimlet reached the handle. What and on what they wrote at different times. Publishing house "Boslen"

52. Vasily Volkov, Natalia Volkova. Professions of old Russia in drawings and photographs. Rech Publishing House

53. James Mayhew. Katya in the art gallery. Young Mother Publishing House

54. Lyman Baum. "The Great Wizard of Oz". Pink Giraffe Publishing House

55. Elena Borisova. Childhood on ships. Publishing house "Art-Volkhonka"

Illustrated edition for family reading, telling about the hard fate of the children of sailors of the Russian squadron, who were forced to leave the shores of Russia in 1920.

56. Rudolf Chekhura. Maxi-dog Fik. White Crow Publishing House.

57. Jean Regno, Emile Bravo. Comic book "My mother is in America, she saw Buffalo Bill". Bumkniga Publishing House

58. David Kali. Picture book "I didn't do my homework because. ..". Career Press

59. Paul Gallico. Novella "Verna". Clever Media Group Publishing House

60. ABC truths. Clever-Media-Group Publishing House

A book for smart teenagers who want to think and draw conclusions. It contains the opinions of 33 contemporary writers on 33 different philosophical and ethical concepts. Each of the concepts corresponds to one of the letters of the Russian alphabet. Among the authors are Lyudmila Petrushevskaya, Boris Akunin, Alexander Arkhangelsky, Boris Grebenshchikov.

61. Stanislav Vostokov. "Higher powers need help." Clever Media Group Publishing House

62. Anatoly Orlov. The story of Pym the Fawn. Rosmen Publishing House

63. Alexandra Litvina. Metro on the ground and underground. Walking into History

64. Ian Graham. Informative comic "Dare to Climb Everest" and other books in the "Dangerous Adventures" series. Paulsen Publishing House

65. Ekaterina Polgueva. "A second before the explosion." Publishing house "Vremya"

This book is a tragic and bright story about the fate of children from a big city, who in a big city find themselves in the epicenter of an armed conflict between two neighboring countries.

66. Tamara Mikheeva. Fantastic story "Children of Dolphins". KompasGid Publishing House

67. Ulf Stark. "My friend Percy, Buffalo Bill and me." Samokat Publishing House

68. Nina Dashevskaya. The story "Violin of an unknown master". DETGIZ Publishing House

69. Frida Nilson. I was adopted by a gorilla. Samokat Publishing House

70. Elena Novichkova, Ekaterina Buntman, Anna Ratina. "Peter I". Labyrinth Press Publishing House

300 years separate us from the era of bold undertakings and unprecedented changes. On the pages of this interactive historical publication, Peter the Great appears to the sound of cannon fire, the sound of axes and the splashing of the Baltic waves. Tsar and ship's carpenter, commander and simple bombardier. Generous and quick to punish, desperate and far-sighted - a truly extraordinary ruler of a vast country. As additional materials - three-dimensional structures, movable elements, valves, books, interactive illustrations and maps, battle diagrams, a poster with portraits of Peter the Great's associates, a boat model for assembly.

71. Maria Bershadskaya. Collection of poems "The sea that is not on the map." Rosmen Publishing House

72. Victor Lunin. Collection of short stories "My Beast". BeringA Publishing House

73. Laurent Quentin. Catherine Racer. Encyclopedia "The World in the XIII century". Walking into History Publishing House

74. Thea Beckman. Crusade in jeans. Publishing House "Walk into History"

75. Fanny Britt. Jane, the Fox and Me Graphic Novel. White Crow Publishing House

76. Evgeny Rudashevsky. The story "Hello, my brother Bzou!". KompasGid Publishing House

77. Tamara Zinberg. The story of the Seventh Symphony. Rech Publishing House

The story of a besieged girl who, like other Leningraders, barely survived, but took upon herself the burden of caring for a helpless three-year-old boy.

78. Nina Dashevskaya. The story "I'm not a brake." Publishing house "Samokat"

This book is the winner of the sixth season of the All-Russian competition for the best work for children and teenagers "Kniguru". An inconsistent monologue of 13-year-old Ignat, moving on roller skates, a scooter, a skateboard around Moscow. He needs to be everywhere. And on the go he rhymes, draws, reads. She also dreams of learning to play the trumpet. He is interested in everything! The pace of life of Ignat is similar to the pace of life in a metropolis.

79. Lois Lowry. The novel "In Search of Blue". Pink Giraffe Publishing House

80. Victoria Lebedeva. A series of stories for family reading "Devices and Gadgets". Publishing House "Wise Cricket"

81. Irina Degtyareva. The story "Steppe Wind" about a village boy Mishka. AST Publishing House

82. Chris Grabenstein. The story "Escape from Mr. Limoncello's Library". Career Press

83. Roland Smith. Adventure novel "Peak". Pink Giraffe Publishing House

84. Frank Cottrell Boyce. The story "Just Space". Pink Giraffe Publishing House

85. Aya en. The story "Christmas Tree, which is a steamboat". Rosmen Publishing House

86. Evgenia Putilova. “Row of golden steps. A book about childhood and books of childhood. DETGIZ Publishing House

87. Alexander Sharov. "Magicians come to people." Rech Publishing House

88. Dan Smith. Brother's secret. Clever-Media-Group Publishing House

The first book in the new Just Good Books series tells about heroic young men and women living under the yoke of the most brutal totalitarian regimes. But even here there will always be people who are ready to defend freedom and justice. Edelweiss - a flower that grows in incredibly difficult natural conditions - has long been a symbol of courage and resilience. It was this name that was chosen for their union by young men and women who were not afraid to remain faithful to their convictions in Nazi Germany.

"Edelweiss Pirates" distributed leaflets, fought with members of the Hitler Youth, supported prisoners of war. Autumn 19For 44 years, most of the activists were detained and sent to prisons and concentration camps. In Cologne, 13 young people associated with this organization were executed.

89. Francesco D'Adamo. The novel "The Story of Iqbal". KompasGid Publishing House

90. Elena Sholokhova. The stories "Bad, cruel, the best", "Below the abyss, above the clouds", "Star". Aquilegia-M Publishing House

91. Yulia Yakovleva. Novel-fairy tale "Children of the Raven". Samokat Publishing House

92. Irina Bogatyreva. The story "Kadyn". Eksmo Publishing House

93. Masha Rolnikayte. Documentary story "I have to tell". Samokat Publishing House

94. Marie-Aude Muray. The novel "Smart". Samokat Publishing House

95. Anastasia Maleiko. My mother loves the artist. CompassGuide Publishing House

96. Larry Gonik. Algebra. Natural science in comics. Hummingbird, Azbuka-Atticus Publishing House

97. Marilyn Plenar. Tales about masters and crafts. Rare Bird Publishing House

98. Natalya Evdokimova. The story "Aquarium fish". Wise Cricket Publishing House

99. David Macauley. The Illustrated Encyclopedia How It's Built. From bridges to skyscrapers." Mann, Ivanov and Ferber Publishing House

100. Andrei Zhvalevsky, Evgenia Pasternak. The story of the open ending. Vremya Publishing House

The plot of the book revolves around one of the pupils of the ballroom dance studio. Each of the boys and girls has their own experiences, and in the finale they will all face a common drama. The fate of their coach is in jeopardy - a tough man, but devoted to his work with all his heart. Family problems, teenage complexes, attempts to figure out one's vocation, conflicts with parents, falling in love and ambitions. The heroes of this story will come out of it as different people.

top 10 rating according to KP

Children's literature is a special world. The most incredible stories happen here, amazing meetings and travels take place. We make a lot of demands on a children's book. It must be paper, bright, beautiful and capture from the very first pages! Years go by, and to the classic works of Marshak, Barto, Mikhalkov, Nosov, no less wonderful works by contemporary writers are added.

Oksana STASHENKO

theater and film actress, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation

— The first books I remember are little books. My mother bought them for me, a one and a half year old girl, walking past a bookstore from work. Then they cost two, three, five kopecks. It was 1967-1968. “Gray neck”, “About the dog Paw” - I still remember what they looked like! Every evening my mother, putting me to bed, read books. Very quickly I learned all the poems and fairy tales by heart. At the age of 4, without studying letters, she began to read herself. We walked down the street and I began to read the signs. I was very fond of Dragunsky "Deniska's stories". By the way, when I went to enter the Saratov Theater School after the eighth grade, I read just one of the stories - “From Above, Down, Obliquely”. And they accepted me!

The CP poster will tell you what you should definitely read to your heirs. We have compiled a rating of the best books for children according to the KP version, which includes both works familiar from Soviet times and novels by new talented authors. And parents and psychologists shared with us their lists of literature for children and adolescents. Tell us about your favorite children's books in the comments.

1.

Author: Viktor Dragunsky

Plot: In these short stories, every schoolchild will recognize himself. The stories published in 1959 are still being read with a bang! And in 2012 they were included in the list of "100 books for schoolchildren."

The main character of the stories is a boy Denis Korablev. He, like all boys, loves to play pranks, learn new things and experience everything. And Denis is one of those who learn not from the mistakes of others, but from their own. He pours semolina out of the window, naively thinking that no one will know about it, inadvertently becomes a "decoy" in the circus and flies under the dome, comes up with incredible reasons for being late to school, from time to time does not study his lessons and gets into oh-oh- very awkward situations. Children, reading this book, will laugh heartily with their parents, and at the same time unobtrusively wrap morality around their ears about how important it is to obey and learn lessons.

2.

Author: Keith DiCamillo

Plot: This work will not leave any reader indifferent. It is about how a cold porcelain rabbit acquires the ability to love and compassion. Once, grandmother Pelegrina gave her granddaughter Abelin a luxurious birthday present - a dapper porcelain rabbit. Abelin loved him, but he did not reciprocate her love. He didn't care. It seemed as if he had no heart. And can a porcelain doll have it?

One day, Edward accidentally fell over the side of the ship and ended up in the depths of the sea. It was caught by an old fisherman. There was no trace of Edward's former gloss. But it turned out that in order to be loved, you don’t have to be beautiful at all! The fisherman brought the rabbit home to his wife. Later, Edward began to fall into all sorts of hands - good and bad. Each such meeting seemed to add something good to the soul of the rabbit. Of course, a miracle happened: he learned to endure, love and feel losses ...

3.