LibraryAware Back to School

Back to School (For Kids)

Looking for something new to read? Check out these

recommendations curated by our librarians!

Back to school, weird kids rule!
by Dan Gutman

Complemented by additional pages of games and bonus content, a back-to-school adventure finds a disgusted A.J. enduring the last days of summer at Andrea's house while attending a summer day camp filled with strange counselors and wacky challenges. Simultaneous and eBook. 75,000 first printing.

The pigeon has to go to school!
by Mo Willems

The irrepressible Pigeon from the Caldecott Honor-winning Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! throws a fit over his worries about the first day of school, from heavy backpacks to finger paint on his feathers. 500,000 first printing

The king of kindergarten
by Derrick D. Barnes

A Newbery Honor-winning author offers an empowering story about a confident little boy who takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, encouraging new students with a reassuring message about this exciting milestone. Simultaneous eBook.

Preschool, here I come!
by David J. Steinberg

A preschool-themed poetry collection by the author of Kindergarten, Here I Come! celebrates such relatable milestones as the first day of school, making new friends and feeling frustrated with unfamiliar challenges. Simultaneous and eBook

Mermaid School
by Lucy Courtenay

When she starts at Lady Sealia Foam's Mermaid School, Marnie Blue worries about fitting in and doing the right thing when a classmate is in danger

Back to school, Splat
by Lara Bergen

When Splat comes home from the first day of school, his homework is to pick one fun summer adventure to share with his class

The day you begin
by Jacqueline Woodson

The National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and author of the Coretta Scott King Award-winning Brown Girl Dreaming combines lyrical, reassuring text with artwork by the award-winning illustrator of Book Fiesta to inspire readers to find the courage to connect with others. Simultaneous eBook

All are welcome
by Alexandra Penfold

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text introduce a school where diversity is celebrated and songs, stories, and talents are shared

Llama Llama misses Mama
by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama experiences separation anxiety on his first day of nursery school

I got the school spirit
by Connie Schofield-Morrison

The award-winning creators of I Got the Rhythm present an onomatopoeic celebration of the first day of school that follows the experiences of a young girl with energetic school spirit who rallies her classmates through their ABCs and 123s. Illustrations.