Looking for some books to get your kiddo excited about going to school? Check out the titles below. You are sure to find one they love!
Picture Books
School People by Lee Bennett Hopkins
This book is filled with simple poems about the many grown ups young students can count on at school.
It’s your First Day of School, Busy Bus! by Jody Jensen Shaffer
Busy Bus has a case of the jitters on the first day of school. Thank goodness the Bus Driver shows Busy Bus all the great things about the first day. If you have a kiddo who will be a bus rider for the first time this year, this book will be great!
Unicorn Is Maybe Not So Great After All by Bob Shea
This book is great for first and second graders. Filled with the laughs you’d expect from Shea, giggles will replace any jitters in no time! Unicorn is already loved by his friends, but some serious first-day jitters have him up his fabulousness with unexpected (and undesired) results.
Nugget and Fang Go to School by Tammi Sauer
Nugget and Fang are off to school, but Fang has a little trouble adjusting to Mini Minnows Elementary. Luckily Fang the Shark get some much needed encouragement from Nugget to help his school year get off to the right start and make friends.
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
This is a sweet telling of the first day of kindergarten. I love that this book has a protagonist that is confident and exited about starting school since so many books seem to focus on the jitters. If your kiddo can’t wait for the first day of school, this book will be a winner at your house!
First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John
Did you know that even teachers get the first day of school jitters? In this silly story, a group of jittery critters arrive for the first day of school just to find their teacher, Armadillo, curled up tight in a ball. A funny approach to the first day of school.
The Pigeon Has To Go To School by Mo Willems
Math? Alphabet?! HEAVY BACKPACKS?!? The Pigeon is just not sure about going to school! Great fun for the younger crowd!
The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Light-up shoes, a new backpack, and her sister wearing a beautiful blue hijab to school for the first time have Faizah very excited for the first day of school. Sadly, it doesn’t quite go the way she expects. A beautiful story about sibling relationships and being proud of who you are.
Levi is scared for his first day at a new school. His dad tells him the same thing he was always told: “Big boys don’t cry.” As Levi walks to school he sees that maybe his dad is wrong. His first day is actually very good and when he gets home, he discovers his dad is crying, realizing his misstep and his own worries for his son. A great social-emotional story about how showing feelings is a good thing for everybody.
Pirates Don’t Go To Kindergarten! by Lisa Robinson
Emma does NOT want to go to kindergarten! Like any good pirate, she goes back to preschool and stirs up a mutiny against Kindergarten. Funny story and a great chance to talk about all the great things to expect as your little transitions from preschool to kindergarten.
Butterflies on the First Day of School by Annie Silvestro
Rosie has been excited about going to school for weeks. The night before her first day though, she gets a tummy ache. Her mom tells her it’s just butterflies. Throughout the day, Rosie figures out ways to release the butterflies and feel better. She even manages to help another shy friend with the same problem. I honestly wish this book was around when my daughter started school. She was (and still is) a worrier, even about things she is looking forward to and this story would have been helpful!
Chapter Books
Best Buds Under Frogs by Leslie Patricelli
Being the new kid is so hard. Being the new girl who throws up on the playground on the first day? Harder. Especially when you want to make friends! Despite the rough start, Lily makes friends with quirky Darby. The two even make a club, the Rizzlerunk Club. Just when everything is looking up, Darby’s former best friend Jill returns after a move to London. Sadly, Jill can be mean and isn’t thrilled that Darby has a new friend in Lily. Will Darby and Lily stay friends? Great story about friendship with the humor you have come to expect from Patricelli.
Jordan has dreams of going to an art school. He is excellent at creating comics about his life. Instead, his parents enroll him in a private school known for it’s academics. It’s very upscale and far removed from the apartment his family lives in. He is one of the only persons of color in his grade and doesn’t feel like he fits in at all. As the school year goes on he also doesn’t feel like he fits in with his friends at home. Can Jordan figure out how to navigate the school year, keep his old friends, make new ones and stay true to himself? This book is great for upper elementary/middle school kiddos who love graphic novels.
Becoming Brianna by Terri Libenson
Part of the Emmie & Friends series, this graphic novel is told in past and present chapters. It follows Bri, who is super smart but very quiet. She breaks out of her norm this school year and decides to do something that will really push her outside of her comfort zone. She will have to give a speech, learn a new language, and be in to spotlight. Gross! Can she handle the pressure?
Chase not only can’t remember his fall off the roof, he also can’t remember anything about himself! As he goes back to school, he learns about who he was through the eyes of his fellow students, but he isn’t sure he likes what he hears. Can amnesia give you a chance to restart your life?
Miss Daisy Is Crazy by Dan Gutman
AJ’s second grade year off with a surprise. Even though he isn’t thrilled to be back at school, Miss Daisy needs his help. She can’t read, write, or even do math! If he and his classmates want to keep their Principal from finding out, it’s up to them to teach Miss Daisy what she needs to know before it’s too late! This book is full of laughs and surprises. This early chapter book is perfect to read together or for first to third grade readers to tackle on their own.
Penelope wants to make a good impression at her new school, so when nerdy Jaime tries to talk to her, she makes it clear that they aren’t going to be friends. Instead, she joins Art Club and tries making friends there. When Art Club and Science Club (Jaime’s club) go to war, will Penelope rethink a friendship with Jaime? A great back to school read for late elementary through middle school who love graphic novels. This is book 1 of the Berrybrook Middle School series, so if your kiddo loves it, there are more to keep them happy!
Check out these books and many others for back to school now! The library is open 9 to 5, Monday through Friday and we even offer Curbside Pickup from 10-4.
Moline Public Library Kids 
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