Top 15 First Day of School Books

Are you looking for some good children’s books about the first day of school? Here are 15 kid favorite books with a back to school theme.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn:

It is time for the nocturnal Chester the Raccoon to head to school for the night. Like many kids getting ready to begin kindergarten, Chester the does not want to go school and does not want to leave his mom.

Chester’s mom tries to reassure him. She even tells him the secret “kissing hand.” Chester can feel his mom’s kiss “rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart.” Now Chester has the courage to go to school. The Kissing Hand has been a New York Times #1 best seller and also earned an Ed Press Award.

First Day Jitters by Julia Danneberg

First Day Jitters is one of our favorite back to school books. It is appropriate for any first day of school but especially helpful for a child that is changing schools.

I don’t want to give away the funny and enlightening ending but let’s just say this one lets students know that the first day of school can make EVERYONE nervous.

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child

Whether just starting preschool or kindergarten, kids will love this funny book featuring Lola who is convinced that she is “too absolutely small for school.” Lola’s brother Charlie has some very imaginative arguments for why Lola should go to school.

The vibrant mixed media illustrations in this first day of school book are a big bonus.

Don’t Eat the Teacher! by Nick Ward

For Sammy the shark, “It was the very first day of school, and he was very, very excited.” The problem is that when Sammy gets excited he starts biting things. It is fun to follow Sammy through his first day at school. Sammy gets really excited during music class and his friends have to yell, “Sammy, STOP! Don’t eat the …”

This cute first day of school book comes with a corner bitten off making this a very kid-attractive book.

If your child has a favorite book character from their preschool years, there’s a good chance that there is a back to school or first day of school book in the series. You can find these titles at your local library to check out or purchase one from your favorite local bookstore or amazon.com to add to your own library.

Is one of your child’s favorite characters on this first day of school book list?

Bernstein Bears Go to School by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Babar Goes to School by Laurent de Brunhoff

Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London

Pooh’s First Day of School and Time for School, Pooh by Kathleen W. Zoehfeld

Blue Goes to School by Angela C. Santomero

Spot Goes to School by Eric Hill

Maisy Goes to School by Lucy Cousins

Curious George Goes to School by Margaret & H.A. Rey

Clifford’s First Day of School by Norman Birdwell

Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois

What are your family’s favorite back to school books?