As summer vacation winds down, sharing stories together can help the entire family prepare for back-to-school. The following picture books will help you and your children tackle the mixed emotions involved in back-to-school season. Use these books to jump-start important conversations about back-to-school topics like relationships, conflict, and anxiety.
BOOKS FOR KIDS WHO ARE ANXIOUS ABOUT BACK-TO-SCHOOL
These books can help your children feel brave about going back to school and learn strategies for coping with school-related anxiety. Your children will enjoy getting to know these characters who overcome obstacles they may face themselves, like making friends and standing up to bullies.
- Wemberly Worried
Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes - Chrysanthemum
Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes - Sheila Rae, the Brave
Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes - Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon
Written by Patty Lovell, Illustrated by David Catrow - Thank You, Mr. Falker
Written and Illustrated by Patricia Polacco - Hooway for Wodney Wat
Written by Helen Lester, Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger - The Brand New Kid
Written by Katie Couric, Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman - Llama Llama and the Bully Goat
Written and Illustrated by Anna Dewdney - The Kissing Hand
Written and Illustrated by Audrey Penn - Amazing Grace
Written by Mary Hoffman, Illustrated by Caroline Binch
LIGHT-HEARTED BACK-TO-SCHOOL BOOKS
Looking for something on the lighter side? These books will provide some laughter to ease worries and build excitement for the back-to-school transition.
- Lunch Money and Other Poems About School
Written by Carol Diggory Shields, Illustrated by Paul Meisel - This is the Teacher
Written by Rhonda Gowler Greene, Illustrated by Mike Lester - Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes
Written by Eric Litwin, Illustrated by James Dean - The Teacher from the Black Lagoon (and the other Black Lagoon books)
Written by Mike Thaler, Illustrated by Jared Lee
BOOKS FOR KINDERGARTENERS
The start of school for kindergarteners can be a difficult time for the entire family. If you have a rising kindergartener in your home like I do, you may find that these stories help your child (and you) with this transition.
- The Night Before Kindergarten
Written by Natasha Wing, Illustrated by Julie Durrell - Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Written and Illustrated by Nancy Carlson - Llama Llama Misses Mama
Written and Illustrated by Anna Dewdney - David Goes to School
Written and Illustrated by David Shannon - How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?
Written by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Mark Teague
What other books would you recommend? Comment below!
