The Best Back-to-School Books of 2024

The class pets are on the loose! Hamsters, lizards, rabbits, and birds have escaped from their cages, and are running loose around the school, and the teachers need help rounding them up. With adorable illustrations of animal characters, clever rhymes, and a school theme that will make kids excited to be back in the classroom, this picture book is the perfect read to spark their imaginations. How to Catch a Class Pet is perfect for students ages 4-10, and anyone else who wants to try their hand at catching these riotous class pets.

In this heartwarming book by Gregory E. Lang, beautiful animal illustrations remind us just how important our teachers are. With genuine sentiment and gentle rhymes, this heartfelt book is sure to inspire your kids to appreciate their teachers and forge connections between students and mentors. And, if your little one is apprehensive about time away from loved ones, this story will show them that teachers are there to help at school, like Mom/Dad/Grandma/Grandpa/Aunt/Uncle is there at home. Why We Need Teachers is perfect for children ages 4-7, and is sure to be a favorite repeat read.

Beatrice Bottomwell has never made a mistake. She never forgets her homework, never wears mismatched socks, and wins the school talent show every year! But, one day, Beatrice does make a mistake - in front of everyone. Beatrice will learn that it's okay to mess up sometimes, and that life is more fun when you enjoy everything, even the mistakes. Readers and perfectionists will learn alongside Beatrice that everyone makes mistakes, and there is always a positive way to look at them! Perfect for children ages 4-8.

A story about calming first-day jitters and preparing your child for a school-day routine, My First Day of Kindergarten reminds readers that they are brave, kind, and ready for kindergarten, and the people they love are always in their hearts, even if they're not at school. With a unique downloadable Put Me In The Story feature, parents can customize with their child's name and personalized back-to-school facts that will help little ones feel more confident than ever before their first day.

My First Day of First Grade prepares children to start the school year on a good note. With affirmations of love, bravery, and kindness to calm first-day jitters and animal characters that let all children see themselves in the story, this book will help your child feel ready to start the first grade. Like My First Day of Kindergarten, this book contains the downloadable Put Me In The Story feature to personalize the story for your child.

Starting preschool can feel scary, but My First Day of Preschool reminds little ones that their loved ones (Mom/Dad/Grandma/Grandpa/Aunt/Uncle) are always with them, even if they're not in the classroom. Told through animal characters, children will observe Bunny's first-day jitters, and how her Mom and Dad help remind to remind her that she is brae, kind, and, most of all, ready to start school! Similar to My First Day of Kindergarten and My First Day of First Grade, parents can customize the story to their child's personal experience with the downloadable Put Me In The Story feature.

With the help of recognizable Sesame Street characters like Elmo and Cookie Monster, Sesame Street Off to School is the perfect book to relax your child's nerves about their first day. The story follows Elmo and his mommy as they get Elmo ready for the new school year, and, using interactive self-soothing tools like belly breathing, provides your child with methods to cope with their anxiety about the big day. Perfect for children aged 3-7 who are starting preschool, kindergarten, or daycare, or any child struggling with anxiety.

The Little Yellow Bus has been preparing for this day for a long time, and can't wait to pick up children and carry them to their school buildings all by himself. But, instead of feeling excited, Yellow is full of first-day worries. With encouragement from Mom and Dad, Yellow takes a deep breath, starts his engine, and decides that he can be brave. Little Yellow Bus reminds kids that even when they are nervous, they can have wonderful adventures as long as they believe in themselves. Children ages 4-7 will learn how to face their fears and practice a growth-mindset.

Using a real cognitive behavioral therapy technique, Act As If, author Lisa Katzenberger brings a positive take to new experiences. Cheetah, Elephant, and Gator feel so anxious that their tummies hurt, their hearts hiccup, and their fingers fiddle, but by imagining themselves as brave, they find their brave selves. I Can Do It Even If I'm Scared teaches children how to imagine their own brave selves, and helps them grow to be brave and face their fears. A great option for kids ages 4-8 who struggle with anxiety, or may be feeling nervous for the new school year.

Written for book lovers of any age, A Love Letter to My Library is an ode to the libraries that kids- and adults- love. It's a perfect read for kids who love to search the shelves for new adventures, curl up in their favorite chair during story time, and have fun with their friends during arts and crafts. A Love Letter to My Library thanks the library and its helpers for making every visit so special. Even if your little one doesn't love the library yet, this story will make them excited to explore and learn. 

The Reindeer Remainders is a heartwarming rhyming book that teaches kids the importance of including others and working as a team. This is the story of a class of reindeer preparing for a big showcase event when a new reindeer student arrives, and every time the class is divided into groups to work on their projects, there is always one reindeer left out. Including facts about division, prime numbers, and practical tips for when someone is feeling left out of a group, the class must learn how to make sure everyone feels included. A valuable lesson for children of any age, The Reindeer Remainders teaches readers how important it is not to leave anyone out and provides tips for navigating the tricky social situations that may arise in and out of school.

In Future Lab: Tomorrow's School, kids get to learn about what a school day looks like in the future. It starts early when students arrive to school on electric bikes and solar-powered scooters, and teachers and robots help out in the classroom. Screens lining the walls explain the day's agenda, and students can connect with other kids all around the world on video calls. Self-driving buses, smart vending machines, and e-trashcans that turn waste into energy all await within the future school. With a glossary to explain some of the advanced vocabulary, this book is a great way to teach and inspire children to be excited for school and for the future while activating their imaginations!

With short stories, fill-in-the-blanks, and colorful activities, The Big Book of Reading Comprehension Activities for first graders is the perfect tool to improve reading and comprehension skills while having fun. A variety of exercises keep kids engaged with the material and develop essential skills as they retell stories, identify characters, describe main ideas, and more. The 120 exercises are progressively more difficult, so as your child completes the activities, their new skills are challenged and develop even further. 

Help to develop your child's motor skills with shape-tracing, an excellent way for children ages 3-5 to develop their fine motor muscles and build the skills needed to write letters and numbers. This workbook is full of colorful shapes that little ones can trace on the page and practice their pencil-control skills. Starting preschool can be a daunting prospect for children and parents alike, but preparing your child and supporting their learning is sure to set them up for success. My First Preschool Shape Tracing Workbook helps you do just that!

The perfect activity book to prepare kids for their big day, this illustrated and interactive kindergarten book prepares them for the first day with 55 games and activities that explain what to expect. Along the way, kids will also practice their kindergarten skills as they explore their first day through the workbook, from getting up and dressed for school, finding their classroom, eating snacks, doing schoolwork, and coming back home with mazes, tracing, and matching activities. These activities also teach your child about making friends, cleaning up, and identifying feelings.

As you prepare for the coming school year, it can be important for kids to know that anger is a normal emotion just like joy, sadness, and fear, even if it's tricky to express anger in a good way, especially at school. This workbook has 50 exercises for kids ages 6-11 to help them handle powerful emotions by teaching them to stay calm and make better choices when they feel angry. With an assortment of activities like drawing, meditating, writing, and crafts to help children work through their anger, Anger Management Workbook For Kids explores healthy habits that help kids react better in difficult situations.