15 Back to School Picture Books for Kids

Are you gearing up for the first day of school like I am? We have a 3rd grader this year and our youngest is starting 1st Grade. (Did you hear my sniffle?) But it’s not all tears… because that means a whole new reason for new books!

Today I’m offering up a list of back to school picture books for your kiddos. This week, we have been enjoying the humor of Timothy Goes to School. And honestly, we read Llama Llama Misses Mama throughout the year, but it’s also the perfect back to school book. And who doesn’t love The Berenstain Bears Go to School? Tell me which ones are your favorites!

You can find these back to school picture books for kids listed below at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links for your convenience.

15 Back to School Picture Books for Kids

Back-to-School Rules: School’s in session! When it comes to surviving school, Percy’s at the head of the class. If you can follow his ten simple rules, making the grade will be a piece of cake (and school will be a lot of fun). But there’s more to school than showing up on time and staying awake in class. If you have any doubts, Percy also shows exactly what not to do.

Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat!: How can there be homework when it’s only the first day of school? Splat must pick only one of all of his fun summer adventures to share with his classmates at show-and-tell. But in the end, Splat may find that the best part of his summer wasn’t an adventure at all. . . .

The Berenstain Bears Go to School: A sympathetic story about Sister Bear, who conquers her fear of starting kindergarten.

David Goes To School: David’s teacher has her hands full. From running in the halls to chewing gum in class, David’s high-energy antics fill each school day with trouble-and are sure to bring a smile to even the best-behaved reader.

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School (Charlie and Lola): Lola is not so sure about school. After all, why would she need to count higher than ten when she never eats more that ten cookies at a time? Once again, it’s up to ever-patient big brother Charlie to persuade Lola that school is worthwhile — and that her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, will be welcome, too.

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes: Pete the Cat is back—and this time he’s rocking in his school shoes. Pete discovers the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and lots of other cool places at school. And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops moving and grooving and singing his song . . . because it’s all good.

Back to School Tortoise: It’s time to go back to school. But Tortoise is worried. What if he falls down? What if he doesn’t like lunch? What if the kids are mean to him? What if he falls down, doesn’t like lunch, and the kids are mean to him? The perfect back-to-school book about being brave, with a surprise at the end!

How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? Everyone’s favorite dinosaurs are back–and this time they are going to school. More fun dinosaur antics await. These prehistoric pupils are in a class of their own! As in their previous books, Yolen and Teague capture children’s rambunctious natures with playful read-aloud verse and wonderfully amusing pictures.

Timothy Goes to School: Timothy is very excited about starting school–until he meets Claude. Claude sits next to him, and he wears all the right clothes, says all the right things, and garners all the praise from his teacher and classmates. Timothy is feeling down, until he meets a girl who’s having the same problem with her seatmate….

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten: It’s the first day of kindergarten and Miss Bindergarten is hard at work getting the classroom ready for her twenty-six new students. Meanwhile, Adam Krupp wakes up, Brenda Heath brushes her teeth, and Christopher Beaker finds his sneaker. Miss Bindergarten puts the finishing touches on the room just in time, and the students arrive. Now the fun can begin! This rhyming, brightly illustrated book is the perfect way to practice the alphabet and to introduce young children to kindergarten.

First Day Jitters (Mrs. Hartwell’s Class Adventures): Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn’t want to start over at a new school. She doesn’t know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. This charming and familiar story will delight readers with its surprise ending.

Chrysanthemum: Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. “You’re named after a flower!” teases Victoria. “Let’s smell her,” says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?

Llama Llama Misses Mama: It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back?

The Night Before First Grade: It’’s the night before the Big Day—-first grade! Penny is excited to start the year with her best friend right beside her in the same classroom. This humorous take on Clement C. Moore’s classic tale has a perfect twist ending that will surprise readers —as well as the “heroine” of the story— and help all about-to-be first-graders through their own back-to-school jitters.

 Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School: Amelia Bedelia is sure she will love everything about school, including new friends, a new teacher, her own desk, music, books, gym, art, recess and (of course) lunch.

Like these back to school picture books? Find even more engaging book lists for kids with more than 100 book-themed reading lists!