12 Books That are Great for Back-To-School

As a former teacher (I used to teach fifth grade.) I get all kinds of excited every year when it is back-to-school season. I love all the school supplies that flood the stores and I get particularly excited about back-to-school books. I love the role that they play in helping kiddos prepare for school as well as get excited about it.

Below are a dozen fantastic picture books that are perfect for back-to-school season. They cover themes of inclusion, diversity, anti-bullying, friendship, acceptance and more. Each one also features school itself in one way or another whether that is the main setting or it is touched on. Each one also has so much to offer. Check them out, you’re bound to love them too!

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Speak Up by Miranda Paul and Ebony Glenn- This book is one that is a call to action for children to speak up in support of what is right and against what they know to be wrong. IT is inspiring and joyful in it’s approach and I love it.

Ways to Welcome by Linda Ashman and Joey Chou- This book is a celebration of diversity and ways that we can be welcoming and accepting of others. I love the examples in the book as well as the happy illustrations.

Play Day School Day by Toni Yuly- In this story an older sibling explains to a younger sibling what school is all about. It is short and very sweet. Perfect for younger readers.

Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow – This book is a celebration of names of every kind. It features a young girl who is upset because her teacher got her name wrong on the first day of school. Her mom gently reminds her how wonderful her name is and that she can speak up to help others get it right.

Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali and Rahele Jomepour Bell – This book features several students in a classroom from diverse and different backgrounds and their favorite cultural celebration of the year as they share it with their class. Such a great idea and so well done.

Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten by Laura Purdie Salas and Hiroe Nakata- This book features a sensory sensitive protagonist and how she comes to terms with the sensory overload that school offers and even finds a way to enjoy it. Great for building empathy for children who need accommodations at school.

Shy Ones by Simona Ciraolo- This story is for all the kids who lean towards the shy side when school starts. It also helps that it features the worlds most adorable octopus and how she makes a new friend despite being so shy.

The Word for Friend by Aidan Cassie – In this story two new friends don’t let a language barrier come in the way of enjoying each other’s company or finding a way to communicate. I love this one for building empathy and developing new friendships as well as acceptance and inclusion.

When You Need Wings by Lita Judge- In this story a young girl is nervous about her first day of school and how she uses the power of her imagination to “give her wings” and help her cope. It is beautifully done and so insightful.

The Day Saida Arrived by Susana Gómez Redondo, Sonja Wimmer  and Lawrence Schimel- This book shares the story of two friends who make their friendship work despite having different backgrounds and a language barrier. They learn from each other and find their own way to communicate.

The Unicorn Came To Dinner by Lauren DeStaano and Gaia Cornwall- This book is positively adorable! In the story a unicorn comes home for dinner and it isn’t until the end that we learn that it was the daughter all along. Such a fun tribute to kids who like to escape reality a bit with their imaginations from time to time. It’s also tied to the first week of school.

Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds and Ema Reynolds- This one makes me chuckle. In the story a little girl is alarmed when she spies her teacher at the deli over the weekend. She immediately sets off on a “rescue mission” to return her to her “natural habitat” (the school). Kids will love it!

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