My eldest is headed back to school next week! We have a few traditions we love to do before the first day of school to get him excited and ready. Of course, there’s the school supplies shopping, getting healthy food for lunches, buying new clothes and shoes, etc. But, the most important part for us is getting him emotionally ready. He doesn’t like change, and the thought of going into a new class (even a small one, like at his private school) and a new teacher is scary for him. I have a few back to school books that help us get him ready for the first day of school and remind him just how much fun he has while he’s there.
Of course, when I’m getting all of my lists of books together (like my Advent Calendar for Little Bookworms), I never actually plan all that much ahead, so I have to be able to find the books either by using Amazon Prime
Back to School Books for Kids
The Kissing Hand
Matthew’s preschool teacher read this one on the first day last year and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It’s the sweetest book about a Mama raccoon giving her baby raccoon a kiss to carry with him during his schoolnight (because obviously raccoons don’t go to school during the day!). It’s going to be our first-day-of-school book every year until they’re in college, read along with a slice of banana nut bread and almond butter!
Curious George’s First Day of School
Curious George was invited to the first day of school to be a special helper, but gets himself into trouble. That little mischievous monkey gets me every time! Plus, giggles are good for making a kid feel more comfortable about something scary. Curious George is always a winner in our house, so this was one of the first I bought for my stockpile of books for back to school.
The Berenstain Bears Go to School
Another classic, the Berenstain (Berenstein) Bears are off to school! It’s Sister Bear’s first day of kindergarten and she’s nervous about all the new parts, but of course, her sweet family and the school help settle her down and she finds out that it’s actually a lot of fun. How much more perfect to calm the nerves of a kiddo could it be?
Cool Dog, School Dog
Tinka, a Golden Retriever, always reminds Matthew of his pup, Chewie (a yellow lab). We originally had “Snow Dog, Go Dog” which is a super sweet book about a boy and his dog in the snow (perfect for the first snow of the year when we were living in DC), so this one is a hit at our house. In Cool Dog, School Dog, Tinka gets sad when her boy leaves her at home to go to school, so she runs up to find him in his classroom, causing a ruckus along the way. Not technically about the first day of school, but a fun read for a back to school books list (especially since it’s made so younger readers can read it themselves)!
How to Get Your Teacher Ready
A role-reversal for kids is entertaining enough, but the “how to” style of the book makes it fun for a child of any age (and awesome for a pile of books for back to school). Through the book, they’re getting their teacher ready for the first day of school– and find out that they’re really getting themselves ready. How to Get Your Teacher Ready is a perfect one to read the week or two before school starts to help your kiddo feel more comfortable with the first day!
The Kissing Hand sounds lovely! I’ll put it on my “to get” list when we swing by Barnes & Noble this weekend!
It’s the sweetest!
These are great! I’m actually looking for back to school book ideas for my little boy!
Visiting from Jams and Scones =)
The Kissing Hand was a favorite of my oldest when he was little. So many wonderful memories with that book. It is the perfect choice to share with a young child who is starting school.