Back To School Books

School transitions can mark some major shifts in identity and stretch children’s social emotional skills. 

Children may be a part from their primary caregivers for longer than they have been before. 

Or maybe they have trouble finding where they “fit in”. 

Or maybe they don’t know how to react to others that feel or look different. 

Literacy is a powerful way for children to rehearse, discuss, and reflect on these common issues. When children hear messages that resonate with their own experiences, they feel understood and their feelings are normalized. Then, they can be more confident in handling the new social issues that may arise. 

Here is a list of books that go beyond “first day of school prep” and extend into the social nuances children often experience at school. 

For more information about guiding children through big transitions, check-out my Lunch & Learn Series: Big Transitions.

Thank you to Pranoo Kumar-Skomra at Rohi’s Readery in West Palm Beach, Florida. She contributed many of the titles below and some descriptions. To order your books from Rohi’s Readery, a bookstore committed to bringing lessons of social justice to young children, you can e-mail Pranoo at: pranoo@rohisreadery.com 

Separation Confidence 

• The Kissing Hand By Audrey Penn (Ages 3-7)

Chester Raccoon is feeling nervous about starting school and missing his mom. His mom shows him how he can carry her love to school. This is a great discussion piece to create a “concrete connection” item with children. 

• Invisible String By Patrice Karst (ages 4-8)

A storm scares Eliza and Jeremy one night, so their mom teaches them about the invisible string. It’s a string made of love that connects each person to their loved ones, even when they’re physically a part. A charming way to create “concrete connection” item with children. 

• When I Miss You By Cornelia Maude Spelman (Ages 4 - 8)

This book gives children validation and words to describe their feelings when they miss their parents. It talks through the practical logistics of separation and empowers children with coping strategies. 

•   Saturday By Oge Mora (Ages 4 - 8)

A sweet mother-daughter story about the time they get to spend together on Saturday. This is a great way to remind children what they get to look forward to when they’re adjusting to a new weekly routine. 

• Daniel Goes To School By Becky Friedman (Ages 3-7)

Daniel Tiger is feeling unsure about the first day of school. Dad Tiger reminds him that “grown-ups come back”. 

New Friends & Experiences

• All Are Welcome Here By Alexandra Penfold (Ages 4-8) 

A warm, enchanting story with pictures that walk children through the school day. This book build community in the classroom that gives children a sense of belonging. 

• Shubert’s New Friend By Dr. Becky Bailey (Ages 3-7)

Shubert feels so excited about his new friend at school! But when he meets Spencer, he’s not what Shubert expected. Some hurtful things are said and the teacher helps the class rewind and try again while giving Spencer the words to describe his feelings. 

• Each Kindness By Jacqueline Woodsen (Ages 5-8)

Maya is the new girl in school and the other kids don’t want to include her because she’s different. Eventually, Maya stops coming to school. When the teacher gives a lesson about kindness, the other children realize the importance of being kind and making new friends. 

• Sharing A Smile By Nicki Kramer (Ages 4+)

In a changing world, little Sophie is feeling a bit worried. She loves being outside and playing with her friends in her neighborhood. But going outside lately means wearing a mask — something Sophie is still trying to understand. And after taking a closer look outside her window, watching her neighbors adjusting to this new normal, she realizes she isn’t the only one who feels a little scared. Which gives Sophie and idea. With her grandpa’s help, she does something special for the people in her neighborhood! 

• The King Of Kindergarten By Derrick Barnes & Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Ages 3 - 6)

A book full of confidence and affirmation about the first day of kindergarten! A little boy wakes-up ready to be The King Of Kindergarten — excited to greet the morning, share his snack, and return home to share his experiences with his parents. 

Feeling Worried

• Ruby Finds A Worry By Tom Percival (Ages 3 - 6)

Ruby’s worry starts out small, so she tries to ignore it. The worry gets bigger, and bigger, and bigger. It becomes so big, she can’t ignore it! Then she finds someone else with a worry. She discovers the more she talks about her worry, the smaller it gets! A great way for children to learn a way to share their feelings. 

• When I Feel Worried By Cornelia Maude Spelman (Ages 4 - 8)

What does “worry” feel like? What can I do when I feel worried? This book is a wonderful launchpad for discussion to help children articulate their feelings and learn strategies for how to handle the worry. 

Big Feelings

• Big Feelings By Alexandra Penfold (Ages 4 - 8)

A class of children work together through some unexpected disappointment on the playground. Lots of “feeling” words are used to help children add to their feeling vocabulary list. The story also depicts what happens when things don’t go according to plan! Sometimes there is even more fun to be had! 

• The Boy With Big, Big Feelings By Britney Winn Lee (Ages 4 - 8)

Sounds sound SO loud. His feelings are bigger. The fears are scarier. So many big feelings can be overwhelming. This book is so relatable to children who are more sensitive than their peers. 

Feeling Different 

• Your Name Is A Song By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (Ages 5-10)

The teacher can’t pronounce Kora Jalimuso’s name and she leaves school upset and not wanting to go back. Empowered by her mother’s explanation of names being songs, Kora Jalimuso returns the school and sings her name so everyone learns how to say it. All the children are so excited, they want their name sung too! 

• Isaac And His Amazing Asperger Superpower By Melanie Walsh (Ages 2 - 6)

“I’m a superhero named Isaac! I might look like everyone else, but my brain works a little bit differently, and I’ve got special superpowers to prove it! Straightforward and illuminating, Isaac’s first person-narrative will help kids see the world through the autistic lens. 

• Isabel And Her Colores Go To School By Alexandra Alessandri (Ages 5 - 8)

Isabel knows that she will have to learn English at school, even though she prefers Spanish. Her first day feels overwhelming and uncomfortable until she learns that there’s more than one way to communicate with friends! 

• Becoming Vanessa By Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Ages 3 - 6)

Vanessa loves to be fancy, so of course she dresses extra fancy for her first day of school! But her classmates don’t appreciate her fanciness. Vanessa decides she wants to blend in and change her name. Her mother boosts Vanessa’s confidence by sharing the story of how Vanessa got her fancy name so that she can return to school and be herself! 

• The Day You Begin By Jacqueline Woodson (Ages 5 - 8)

What does it feel like when you can’t blend in, like you don’t belong? The things you love the most about yourself are suddenly uncomfortable? Angelina feels like this until she shares her story. Then, she and her classmates find out how much they have in common! 

• Alma and How She Got Her Name By Juana Martinez-Neal (Ages 4-7)

What’s in a name? For one little girl, her very long name tells the vibrant story of where she came from. As she heard the story, Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela starts to think her name might be a perfect first after all — and realizes that she will one day have her own story to tell. 

• I Will Dance By Nancy Bo Flood (Ages 4 - 8)

Like many children, Eva loves to dance. But unlike many children, Eva has cerebral palsy. She doesn’t know what dance looks like for someone who uses a wheelchair. Then Eva learns of a place that has created a class for dancers of all abilities. Her first movements in the studio are tentative, but with the encouragement of her instructor and fellow students, Eva becomes more confident. 

Visit Rohi’s Readery and Big Transitions Lunch & Learn for more information.