It’s that time of year again — time to send the kiddos back to school!
While at once exciting, it can also be a scary time for children, especially if they’ve never been before or if they’re at a new school. So here are some entertaining children’s books to help little kids work through their fears and get excited for school!
Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish
Jump into the childhood of America’s favorite literal-minded housekeeper! Amelia Bedelia is sure that she will absolutely love school — after all, what’s not to love? But after hopping on the bus “just like a bunny”, confusing her name tag with a game, and gluing herself to her seat, Amelia Bedelia discovers that what she takes for granted is not always the way the world works. Still, friendships are formed, lessons are learned, and projects are completed, and through it all Amelia Bedelia’s teacher, Mrs. Edwards, offers gentle guidance and an open heart.
Jordan's First Day by Modello Brown
It was the first day at school, for our friend Jordan Brown. He’d just moved from another place, he was brand new in town. When Jordan turns up at his new school, he is relieved to find a diverse group of friends waiting for him. But when Nick, the school bully decides to pick on him, are his new friends there to back him up? Jordan’s First Day, the first in the Hip-Hop Little series, touches upon the daunting prospect of ‘going to school’, finding friendships, diversity, racism and allyship. If you love this book and are eager for more, the series continues with Nona’s Nerves. (Check out the BookTrib review of Jordan’s First Day here.)
Lola Goes to School by Anna McQuinn
In this Lola Reads series book, Lola embarks on a new adventure — the first day of school! A comforting and cheerful picture book read that demystifies the school day, perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Lola and her family prepare for the first day of school the night before, then wake up early, take pictures, and head to class. Lola puts her things in her cubby, chooses her activities, reads, plays, and has a snack. Before she knows it, it’s time to sing the good-bye song and rush into Mommy’s arms for a warm reunion!
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
A perfect new school year pick for kindergarteners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders who are feeling nervous or anxious about starting their first day. Sarah Jane Hartwell has that sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach — she’s nervous and doesn’t want to start a new school year. She doesn’t know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With a little convincing from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly heads to class. Shy at first, she’s quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton and is reminded that everyone at school gets the jitters sometimes.
Monsters Love School by Mike Austin
Have some monstrous fun going back to school! Celebrate the first day of school with hilarious, energetic monsters in Monsters Love School by the author-illustrator of Monsters Love Colors. Summer is over, and now it’s time for the biggest adventure of all… Monster School! Join these colorful monsters as they go to school for the first time. Reading and writing and learning your monster history has never been so much fun!
Time for School, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
Join Mouse from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie as he hunts for his homework in this comic getting-ready-for-school adventure! In this book, Mouse searches high and low for his homework, finding lots of other things in the process. Time for School, Mouse! teaches kids new words while celebrating the fun of going to school! This board book with sturdy pages is perfect for preschoolers who are not yet ready for Mouse’s hardcover picture book adventures.
