Back to School Picture Books

Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the next couple of weeks! Whether it’s your child’s first year in school, your child’s first year in a new school, your first year teaching in a classroom, or just plain back-to-school time for your family in general, check out some of the books below to get back in the groove. Some are funny, some gently ease fears, some are better in a classroom setting, and all are worth knowing about.

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Back to School Picture Books

The Watcher by Nikki Grimes: An excellent title for mid- to upper elementary students, The Watcher uses Psalm 121 and the Golden Shovel technique to discuss bullying, friendship, and how we treat our neighbors. An outstanding title to jumpstart discussion right at the beginning of the school year! Highly recommended.

If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen. Illustrations just like Mercy Watson! Jack dreams up a truly amazing “school” full of surprises and wild adventures. Who wouldn’t want to go his school?

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex: Another title we’ve reviewed before, this is a fun back to school picture book … from the school’s perspective! A delightful twist with terrific, multicultural illustrations.

This Is My Home, This Is My School by Jonathan Bean: We’ve talked about this one before–it’s a terrific back to school picture book for… homeschoolers! Bean’s delightful illustrations capture the cheerful chaos in a home education environment while his text echoes the familiar terms used in a traditional school setting. If you have a new homeschooler of any age, this is a very fun book to start your year with!

The Secret Life of Squirrels: Back to School by Nancy Rose: Rosie and Mr. Squirrel are getting Rosie’s classroom ready for all her new students. Perfect for helping preschoolers and kindergartners know how much their teachers prepare for them–and are excited to see them!

Someone New by Anne Sibley O’Brien: This would be a great resource to use in a classroom setting to help students know how to be friends with those who initially appear different. For middle grades kids, a fantastic title along similar lines is Save Me a Seat.

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes: A classic for the elementary school crowd and for good reason: Chrysanthemum is a delight and worth revisiting if it’s been a few years (or read it for the first time!).

Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes: Lily has a hard time waiting until the right time to share her special things.

Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban: For picky eaters everywhere! This is one of our favorite series.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins: When you’re the only dinosaur in a room of tasty children, well, what else would you do?

My First Day by Phung Nguyen Quang. Gorgeous illustrations help tell the story of a young Vietnamese boy journeying by river to school. Note: the end has a little of the “make your own destiny” flavor, but the book is worth seeking out nonetheless.

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick D. Barnes: This one takes the royalty idea a bit too far, but the gist is sweet, and those anxious about the very first day of “real” school may especially enjoy it.

Frank and Lucky Get Schooled by Lynne Rae Perkins: Frank and Lucky learn a lot in this exuberant picture book, but they don’t learn it in a classroom. A fun reminder that our traditional school subjects are relevant to real life–and that you can learn plenty even if you aren’t in a traditional school classroom. Check out our starred review.

We Are (Not) Friends by Anna Kang: Weyant’s simple, large illustrations coupled with Kang’s simple, straightforward text and plenty of white space make this work equally well as a classroom read aloud or independent read for an introspective new reader. And this particular scenario–new friends joining existing friend groups–will be playing out on repeat in these first few weeks of a new school year! (From our earlier review)

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days by Erica Silverman. Fun, sweet volume in this early chapter book series for young horse lovers.

Each Kindness by Jaqueline Woodson: Beautifully illustrated, this is a good one to pair with The Watcher (see above) because both address bullying, kindness, and bravery.

Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard: A “school story” picture book classic!

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt: Hilarious. One-by-one, a boy’s crayons write him letters to complain.

I Got the School Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison, illustrated by Frank Morrison. Colorful, vibrant, bouyant. “Spirit” is a little odd, but it’s catchy, fun, and full of onomatopoeia.

Pterodactyl Show and Tell by Thad Krasnesky, illustrated by Tanya Leonello. If you had a pet pterodactyl, of course you would want to bring him for show and tell! But why aren’t your teacher and classmates more enthusiastic?

Don’t miss our Back to School Books for Middle School!