Check out these back-to-school books to get your kid ready for an epic return to the classroom!
The first day of school is upon us, and this is a school year like no other. With many kids returning to the classroom, they may be experiencing a whole new level of jitters and excitement. And what better way to get them amped up (in a good way) for a new school year than with new books? These digital stories will get them ready for what’s ahead, calm uneasy nerves and get them stoked for their first day.
Check out our favorite back-to-school books below!
Back-to-School Books on Epic
Next Stop: Kindergarten!
By: Brooke Jorden
Illustrated by: Back Julia
Ages: 3-5
This adorable picture book congratulates preschool graduates and builds up their confidence ahead of their first day of kindergarten by reminding them of all the fun things they’ve learned. With engaging rhyming text and cute cutout illustrations, it’s a fun way to reassure them that they’re ready, while also preparing them with the basics they’ll need as incoming kindergarteners—from the ABCs and counting to making new friends.
Out The Door
By: Christy Hale
Ages: 3-6
“Out the door, down the stoop, past the neighbors, along the block…” Now the adventure begins! Follow a young girl in Brooklyn as she makes her way to school and back. From tree-lined streets, to the subway and into the classroom, there’s so much to see. With gorgeous collage illustrations and easy-to-understand text, this book is perfect for read-alouds and teaching pre-K kids and kindergarteners directional concepts, like out, down, past and through.
First Day Jitters
Written by: Julie Danneberg
Illustrated by: Judy Love
Ages: 3-7
This is one of our favorite back-to-school books on Epic! The first week of school is coming up and Sarah Jane Hartwell is starting over at a brand new school. But she’s scared because she doesn’t know anyone. She’s convinced it’ll be awful until she becomes friends with the school principal Mrs. Burton, who reassures her that It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous and that there’s nothing to be afraid of.
Your little student will love this charming edition of the popular Jitters series, and get a kick out of the surprise twist ending.
First Grade Stinks!
Written by: Mary Ann Rodman
Illustrated by: Beth Spiegel
Ages: 3-7
Hayley is super-excited to start the first grade, until she discovers it’s not quite what she’s used to. Her new classroom isn’t bright and colorful like it was when she was in kindergarten. Her new teacher isn’t as smiley as her last one. And on top of all that, now she only gets one recess and story time is too short! When she has enough and shouts out, “First grade stinks,” her very understanding teacher Ms. Grey shows her there’s a lot to love about it, too.
Kids will relate to little Hayley as she struggles against her disappointments to embrace new and unfamiliar experiences.
The Kissing Hand
Written by: Audrey Penn
Illustrated by: Ruth Harper, Nancy M. Leak
Ages: 3-7
It’s the first day of school in the forest, but Chester Raccoon is afraid to go. So his mother, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret, the kissing hand, to remind him of her love any time things get scary.
This heartwarming book is perfect for reassuring little ones experiencing the anxieties of separation, whether they’re starting daycare, going to camp or attending kindergarten for the first time.
1, 2, 3, Off to School!
By: Marianne Dubuc
Ages: 3-7
Pom won’t be ready for kindergarten for another year. But that doesn’t stop Pom from stopping by the schools of a host of animal friends! Pom sets out to explore, starting with watching the mouselings ride the bird bus, then the rabbits as they’re learning to read, write and count. Next Pom sees the froglets making art, and so many other fun activities to look forward to.
This delightful, imaginative book will give your preschooler a glimpse into what to expect when it’s time for them to enter kindergarten, and all the wonders that await.
THAO
By: Thao Lam
Ages: 4-8
Based on the author’s own childhood experiences, this own-voices book follows young Thao’s story of growing up with a name that’s unfamiliar to the other kids. Despite the simplicity of her name (it’s only four letters long), no one can ever pronounce it. So she decides to try on a new name: Jennifer. It does seem to help matters, but it isn’t until she finds her mother’s homemade Vietnamese spring rolls, that she cheers up and starts to feel more comfortable with who she is.
Full of humor and heart, this book encourages any kid who has ever felt different the importance of staying true to yourself and taking pride in your identity. For some more Own-Voices books for kids of all ages, check out our posts: “20 Own-Voices Picture Books” and “Pacific Islander & Asian History Read-Alouds.
Adventures to School
Written by: Miranda Paul
Illustrated by: Isabel Munoz
Ages: 4-8
What’s your morning school routine? You might whip up a quick breakfast before dropping your little one off for a day of learning. But kids in other parts of the world get to school in all sorts of other ways. Determined to obtain an education, children in other countries walk for several hours, ride in rickshaws, walk over wire bridges and travel under other extraordinary circumstances to get to school. This fascinating book follows 13 real students as they embark on their sometimes dangerous treks in pursuit of knowledge.
Isabel and Her Colores Go to School
Written by: Alexandra Alessandri
Illustrated by: Courtney Dawson
Ages: 5-8
This vividly illustrated English-Spanish picture book imagines languages as colors.
It all starts with Isabel before her first day of school. She feels ready to take on the day, except for one thing—she doesn’t speak much English. She knows she’ll need to learn, but it doesn’t feel right. English feels like blustery blues and whites, and she prefers the warm oranges and pinks of Spanish. At first she doesn’t feel at home among her native-English speaking classmates, until she discovers that there are other ways to communicate with friends.
This book is perfect for students learning English as a second language and any other kid who struggles with feeling different.
The Boy in the Orange Cape
By: Adam Ciccio
Illustrated by: Emmanuel Volant
Ages: 5-10
Corey wears an orange cape everywhere he goes—he wears it to bed, even to school. And when a bully named Billy starts ripping his cape off every day, Corey shows up the next day (and the next) wearing a new one. At first the kids tease him, but when another little boy finds out the noble reason behind Corey’s capes, he starts wearing one of his own. And soon the whole school follows suit.
This is an inspiring book about caring, courage and embracing the superhero in all of us.
Other Recommendations
Looking for more popular, high-quality back-to-school books? Check out these picks available off our platform, all on Amazon.
School’s First Day of School
Written by: Adam Rex
Illustrated by: Christian Robinson
It’s the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone’s got a case of the first-day jitters. But the most nervous one of all is… the school. What will the kids do when they first arrive? Will they like the school? Will they be nice to him? Things start out rough, but the school eventually feels better when he sees that he’s not alone in being nervous.
Llama Llama Misses Mama
By: Anna Dewdney
The beloved main character from the Llama Llama series is just starting preschool. This adorable picture book takes readers through his first day, from getting ready, to meeting the teachers and the other children, to coping with separation when it’s time for Mama Llama to leave.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School
By: Mo Willems
From the author and illustrator of the hilarious cautionary books, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” and “Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!” comes “Why does the Pigeon have to go to school?” He already knows everything (what if he learns too much?!) and he worries he won’t like it. Kids will laugh out loud at this silly school readiness book.
The Day You Begin
Written by: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by: Rafael Lopez
This heartwarming, beautifully illustrated book gives kids a poignant lesson in finding the courage to connect in sometimes scary circumstances, like when they feel different, alone or nervous about change and trying something new. The lyrical text lets kids know that everyone feels these things sometimes, but when we reach out and share, others will reciprocate.
The King of Kindergarten
Written by Derrick Barnes
Illustrated by: Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Some kids are nervous on the first day of school, but not this little boy! His mommy tells him that morning that he’s going to be the King of Kindergarten, and he can’t wait. This joyful story takes an enthusiastic look at his big day, from getting dressed and eating a pile of pancakes to telling his parents about his achievements.
That’s it! Hope you check out some of these great back-to-school books.
Like our book lists? Check out more great books for kids of all ages in our post: “Best Books to Read Online.”