Back-to-school can be an exciting time, but also one filled with uncertainty and big feelings. Books can be a perfect way to start conversations about all of the changes and the emotions that children may be feeling. From common school worries like being away from home or fitting in, to reintroducing important social emotional learning skills and personal hygiene, here are some of our favorite books to ease kids back to school. If you’re looking for the perfect read for back-to-school, we have you covered! 

 

Big Feelings: School Worries, Fitting In, and Separation Anxiety

1. Donut Worry

By Christianne Jones, illustrated by Jack Viant (K-2)

Poor Donut is feeling anxious. School is about to start again, and Donut can’t stop all sorts of worries from filling her round donut head. She’s tired of her friends and family saying, “Don’t worry!” As if it’s that easy! Can her new friend, Cookie, help her find ways to manage her anxiety?
(Also available in Interactive eBook format.)

 

2. Betty the Yeti and the First Day of School

By Mandy R. Marx, illustrated by Antonella Font (K-3)

It’s hard being a yeti at a school full of humans. What happens when Betty gets stuck in her desk? What’s a yeti to do during recess? Betty finds out what makes her different is what makes her wonderful! From the Betty the Yeti early chapter book series.
(Also available in Interactive ebook and paperback formats.)

 

3. Best Buddies

By Lynn Plourde, illustrated by Arthur Lin (PreK-1)

The story of a boy-and-dog duo who are BEST FRIENDS and who do EVERYTHING together! So how will they manage being apart when the boy heads to school for the first time? Find out how a clever boy with Down syndrome and his loyal pet find the perfect way to feel close even when they can’t be together. A sweet, inspiring story that will ease concerns about the first day of school and other big changes for kids.
(Also available in Interactive eBook format.)

 

4. First Day of Unicorn School

By Jess Hernandez, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum (K-2)

Milly is incredibly excited to go to Unicorn School, a school that accepts only the best and the brightest. There’s only one problem: she isn’t a unicorn! She’s a donkey in a party hat. Milly first feels uncomfortable but eventually learns that she and the others at the school have more in common than it might have seemed.
(Also available in Interactive eBook format.)

 

5. The Very Last Leaf

By Stef Wade, illustrated by Jennifer Davison (K-2)

Lance Cottonwood is the best and brightest of the leaves, but even the top students on the tree have worries. Can Lance conquer his fear of falling and just let go when the time comes for his final exam, or will he let his worries take over? In this funny and encouraging picture book, best-selling author Stef Wade tells an engaging story and deftly addresses social and emotional struggles many kids encounter each day: feeling anxious, wanting to be perfect, and facing fears. 
(Also available in Interactive eBook format.)

 

Relationship Skills

6. Mindful Mr. Sloth

By Katy Hudson (PreK-3)

Sasha has one speed—fast. She loves to do lots of things, all at once, as fast as possible. Mr. Sloth has one speed—slow. He loves to do things one at a time, at a nice, easy pace. Can Mr. Sloth’s mindful ways teach Sasha to slow down and enjoy life? Best-selling author Katy Hudson gently weaves a mindfulness theme into this unlikely friendship tale between an energetic girl and a sloth, encouraging children to stop, breathe, and be present in every moment.

Activity: Watch the Mindful Mr. Sloth book trailer and download the complete activity kit.
(Also available in Interactive eBook and board book formats.)

 

7. Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader 

By Christianne Jones, illustrated by Cale Atkinson (PreK-2)

Harrison P. Spader sat a little too close. Shook hands a little too long. High-fived a little too hard. And hugged a little too much. Harrison P. Spader was a personal space invader. But that all changes when he learns the Space Saver rhyme: Arms out front, then out real wide. Now place your arms back by your sides. Author Christianne Jones uses humor and relatable situations to teach early learners about self awareness.

Activity: Download social emotional learning bookmarks for your classroom.
(Also available in paper over board format.)

 

8. The Social Butterfly

By Beth Bracken, illustrated by Sofia Cardoso (PreK-2)

Charlotte loves her friends. She also loves talking, singing, and playing. What Charlotte doesn't love is sitting still, being quiet, and listening. Charlotte doesn't have time for that boring stuff! But Charlotte's social ways might just ruin her friendships. Find out if Charlotte can fix her overly social behavior in this relatable picture book.
(Also available in Interactive eBook and paper over board formats.)

 

Friendship Stories

9. Cecilia's Fundraiser

By Bryan Patrick Avery, illustrated by Arief Putra (K-2)

Mr. Grizley's class is hosting a fundraiser for the animal shelter. Cecilia is disappointed that she forgot the tamales she was going to sell. Can her classmates come to the rescue and help her make a new plan?

Each story in the early chapter book series Mr. Grizley's Class focuses on a different classmate and is especially designed to build social emotional learning skills, complete with a related activity at the end of each story. Read along to hang out with the best class around—Mr. Grizley’s Class! Also try Emily's Big Shot, Mordecai's Magic, and Shaw's Solo.

Activity: Watch the Mr. Grizley's Class book trailer and download bookmarks for your classroom.
(Also available in Interactive eBook and paperback formats.)

 

10. Astrid and Apollo In Concert

By V.T. Bidania, illustrated by Evelt Yanait (K-2)

Astrid and Apollo are chosen to play a duet in the third-grade recorder concert. They practice hard for weeks, but their little sister keeps getting in the way. She wants to play too! Then, on the night of the concert, it’s one disaster after another. What’s going on? And will they still be able to perform? Readers will love joining the twins on their adventures in this chapter book series about a Hmong American family.

Activity: Download bookmarks for your classroom and a Zoom background for your next virtual meeting.
(Also available in Interactive eBook and paperback formats.)

 

11. Sadiq and the Big Election 

By Siman Nuurali, illustrated by Christos Skaltsas (1-3)

Ms. Battersby has announced that Sadiq’s third-grade class will be having elections for student government! Everyone is buzzing with excitement, but Sadiq isn’t sure about any of it. Should he run for one of the positions? He does lots of research and gets good advice from his parents and siblings. Watching an inspiring speech finally helps him decide exactly what he wants to do. But when a good friend has the same idea, Sadiq questions his decision. Can friendships survive an election? Also try other titles from the Sadiq book series.

Activity: Watch the Sadiq book trailer.
(Also available in Interactive eBook and paperback formats.)

 

School Silliness

12. Zany School Riddles

By A.J. Sautter (K-3)

Why didn’t a school janitor get hurt when he fell off a 20-foot ladder? At the school cafeteria, if pie costs $3 and chocolate costs $9, how much do chips cost? Learn the answers to these and many other zany school riddles that readers can use to stump their friends and keep them asking for more!
(Also available in Interactive eBook format.)

 

Mysteries & Magic

13. The Magic Lunch Box 

By Hanna Kim, illustrated by Emily Paik

Fourth-grader Ben Lee is anxious to make new friends at his new school in Michigan. But on his first day, things take a turn for the worse. The other kids act grossed out by the homemade kimbap in his lunch box. Embarrassed, Ben makes an impulsive wish, and soon strange things start happening. A ham sandwich appears in his lunch box inside instead of Mom’s homemade mandoo. At first, Ben is thrilled. But soon the magical switcheroos start happening regularly and to other things—like Ben's favorite Korean cartoon, Tobot V. And the special pencils his grandma sent from Korea. How far will the lunchbox magic go? And how far will Ben go to set things right?
(Also available in Interactive eBook format.)
 

14. The Scientific Life of Azaleah Lane 

By Nikki Shannon Smith, illustrated by Gloria Felix (K-2)

It’s a big week for Azaleah Lane. The principal, Ms. Li, is choosing a third grader to be the STEM lab monitor, and Azaleah’s name is the one picked! But the week doesn’t go quite as planned. First Azaleah gets paired up with a bossy classmate for a group project. Then the STEM lab guinea pig goes missing—on Azaleah’s watch! Can she use her scientific thinking and detective skills to get to the bottom of things before it’s too late? Or will Azaleah Lane go down as the worst STEM lab monitor ever? From the Azaleah Lane book series.

Activity: Watch the Azaleah Lane book trailer and download the coloring sheets.
(Also available in Interactive eBook format)

 

15. School Spirit 

By John Sazaklis, illustrated by Jesus Lopez (K-2)

Dawson wants to try out for the basketball team, but he gets bullied into being the mascot instead. And to make matters worse, the suit is possessed by a spooky spirit! Dawson decides to befriend the ghost and take school spirit to a new level in this early chapter book from the Boo Books series. 
(Also available in Interactive eBook format)

 

Find all of these back-to-school books and more in our booklist here.

 

Expand student learning with these PebbleGo articles:

• What Is Anxiety?
• I Feel Worried
• Making New Friends
• Self-Confidence
• Being Mindful
• Personal Space
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Self-Discipline
• Being Responsible