As I was starting to compile a back-to-school list this year, I realized just how many great picture books there are about the 1st day of school experience. So many that they needed their own list. There is some universality to the 1st day of school experience and anxiety/excitement that can carry over to be read at different times throughout the school year also, but these will be especially poignant at the start of the school year.
Here are 24 picture books I recommend all about the 1st day of school!
My First Day
Becoming Vanessa
Butterflies on the First Day of School
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
Danbi Leads the School Parade
Papa, Daddy, and Riley
First Day Critter Jitters
The Arabic Quilt
The King of Kindergarten
A Tiger Tail (or What Happened to Anya on Her First Day of School)
All Are Welcome
The Day You Begin
School’s First Day of School
Your Name is a Song
Mae’s First Day of School
Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous
Truman
The Name Jar
I Got the School Spirit
The Proudest Blue
The Pout-Pout Fish Goes to School
Sea Monster’s First Day
Suki’s Kimono
Our Favorite Day of the Year
