The Best Back-To-School Books

How is it already back to school time? Some of my friends in the south have already started (kids and everything!), and I'm probably in the last group of teachers to go back (we also got out way later in June. I think I'd rather start earlier!).  But I've been thinking about back-to-school reads for a few weeks now.  There are some fantastic ones out there, and I wanted to share some of the newer ones with you.  Anything to make this time of year easier, right?

1. School's First Day of School (written by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson)
Have you ever thought about what the first day of school is like . . . for the school?  School is a new building, and he's pretty nervous about the first day.  What should he expect?  What will all the kids be like?  What if they don't like him, or he doesn't like them?  Oof.  Those fears will probably all be familiar to anyone who's a little anxious to start school, even if, like a lot of our younger students, they can't verbalize them.  This is a really touching story and a good reminder to take care of the school building, too.  Robinson's illustrations invoke plenty of emotions on the characters' faces, including School, and his collage-style watercolors (I think they are watercolors--I'm not an artist!) are friendly and approachable.  There are also a solid range of diverse characters portrayed, which is refreshing and will help students feel welcome.

2. The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! (written and illustrated by Mo Willems)
When I looked at an early copy of this at ALA this year, the Hyperion employee told me it was her favorite Pigeon book. I was skeptical, because how could Mo Willems top what he's already done?  He does, though.  The Pigeon, as you can guess, does not want to go to school.  He already knows everything, of course, and what even happens at school?  Will paint get in his feathers?  Does the teacher like pigeons?  What happens at lunch?!?  This is another great one to talk about first-day jitters with kids, and it's hilarious to boot.  The sweet ending made me tear up a little.  I definitely second the Hyperion employee's opinion!

How relatable is this line from the Pigeon?

3. Strictly No Elephants (written by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo)
This isn't a book specifically about back-to-school, but its message of kindness and inclusion makes it an ideal candidate for your September plans.  Our protagonist, a little boy with a small pet elephant, wants to go to Pet Club, where there are dogs, fish, cats--but no elephants allowed.  His creative solution provides a fun surprise at the end.  This one is also a great way to incorporate some art by giving students the opportunity draw a picture of themselves with whatever kind of pet they would want.

4. We Don't Eat Our Classmates (written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins)
Penelope Rex is very excited and very nervous to start school.  She's got her backpack with ponies on it (ponies are her favorite, because they're yummy) and 300 tuna sandwiches in her lunch, but there's one important thing she's missing: self-control!  And for Penelope, a T. Rex, that means she really wants to eat her classmates.  If it sounds a little dark, don't worry: the tone and illustrations are light and fun, and no one's actually in any danger.  Penelope is a wonderful character to talk about boundaries and self-control with, especially if you have a student struggling with those concepts.

5. The Day You Begin (written by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López)
Everyone knows Jacqueline Woodson is a stunning writer who excels at verse, and The Day You Begin further proves that point.  The story starts with the sentence, "There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you."  Maybe it's because your hair is different, or the way you speak sounds strange, or your lunch looks unusual.  Maybe it's something totally random.  But no matter what, you feel that you don't fit in.  This book is a beautiful reminder that we all feel different sometimes, but those differences are actually things that can connect us if we're willing to share.  Every reader will see someone they recognize and relate to through both the writing and the illustrations, which intertwine beautifully throughout the book and both shine.

What are some of your back-to-school favorites?  

Crayon logo and font at top is from A Perfect Blend Teaching on Teachers Pay Teachers.