9 Kilometers by Claudio Aguilera, illustrated by Gabriela Lyon, translated by Lawrence Schimel

Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023

Originally published in Chile, this book describes the narrator’s journey to school, in which he travels nine kilometers (5.5 miles, 15,000 steps) through the forest, across a stream, and under a barbed wire fence. 56 pages; grades K-3.

Isabel and Her Colores Go to School by Alexandra Alessandri

Published by Sleeping Bear Press, 2021

Isabel’s first-day-of-school jitters are compounded by the fact that she doesn’t speak much English, but she eventually finds a way to make a new friend and share her artistic talents with her classmates. Written in both English and Spanish with two pages of Spanish to English translations for words used in the story.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

Published by Salaam Reads, 2020

Musa’s teacher tells the class that the first day of school is her favorite day of the year. She invites them to share their favorites as they go through kindergarten, resulting in a celebration of holidays, foods and cultures all year long.  Includes information on all the holidays mentioned in the story. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo

Published by Katherine Tegen Books, 2023

On the first day of school, there seems to be no teacher, although there’s a cup of coffee and an “impressive-looking” sandwich on the front desk. Is the sandwich Mr. S.? And who is the man outside the classroom dealing with a falling tree and a car fire? Nothing is predictable on this first day of school. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

The King of Kindergarten and The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Published by Nancy Paulsen Books, 2019 and 2022

Two kids pretend to be royalty as they brave the first day of kindergarten. 32 pages; ages 4-8.

The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024

What seems to be a pretty ordinary group of kids turns out to hide some extremely talented students who add a little something extra to the first week of school. 48 pages; grades K-3.

Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube

Published by Abrams, 2018

Mae would rather sit up in a tree all day than face the uncertainties of the first day of school.  When others join her, including her new teacher, she realizes she’s not the only one feeling nervous.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

The Puppy Bus by Drew Brockington

Published by Harry N. Abrams, 2022

A boy accidentally gets on the Puppy Bus and winds up spending his first day of school at Leroy’s Puppy School. 40 pages; ages 3-8.

Monkey Not Ready for Kindergarten by Marc Brown

Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2015

Monkey worries about all the ways he might not be ready for kindergarten.  A simple tale with a reassuring ending. 32 pages; ages 3-6. 

Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous by Keith Calabrese, illustrated by Juana Medina

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018

Lena’s shoes are nervous about starting school.  So are her socks.  It’s up to her headband to remind them that they’ve tried out new things before that turned out well.  By the end, the shoes are joined by the friendly sneakers, shoes, and boots of the other kids.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

Camp Tiger by Susan Choi, illustrated by John Rocco

Published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2019

A boy who’s worried about starting first grade meets a tiger on an end-of-summer camping trip with his family.  Is the tiger real or imaginary?  Either way, he helps the boy to find courage for a new beginning.  40 pages; ages 4-8.

A New School Year by Sally Derby, illustrated by Mika Song

Published by Charlesbridge, 2017

Six kids from grades K-5 tell about their first day of school in a series of poems that takes from the night before to the end of the first day.  48 pages; grades 1-5.

The Brilliant Ms. Bangle by Cara Devins, illustrated by K-Fai Steele

Published by Feiwel and Friends, 2023

Everyone’s excited about the first day of school until they discover that beloved librarian Ms. Stack has moved away and been replaced by Ms. Bangle.  The kids decide to boycott the library…but the new librarian has a few tricks up her sleeve. 32 pages; ages 4-8.

Sounds Like School Spirit by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummin

Published by Dial Books, 2021

This call-and-response rhyming book will get even the shyest kindergartener excited about the first day of school. 32 pages; ages 4-8.

Ready for Kindergarten by Bethany V. Freitas, illustrated by Maja Anderson

Published by Clarion Books, 2023

Are you ready for kindergarten? This book encourages kids that they have what it takes to be successful in kindergarten and includes tips for caregivers about preparing kids for kindergarten. 32 pages; ages 4-6.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2018

Rhyming text and busy illustrations show a diverse classroom of children and families coming together to form a community. 44 pages; ages 4-8.

School Is Wherever I Am by Ellie Peterson

Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2022

A boy introduces his school as a building where he goes to a classroom that has desks, a teacher, and his classmates. But then he wonders if school can be in other places too, like museums, family experiences, or a computer screen, and concludes that school is where he is. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

My First Day by Phúng Nguyên Quang, illustrated by Huỳnh Kim Liên

Published by Make Me a World, 2021

The Mekong River in Vietnam may be an unfamiliar experience to kids, but they will relate to the boy’s excitement and anxieties as he travels by boat to his first day of school. Includes additional information about the Mekong River. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Published by Roaring Brook Press, 2016

Even though the janitor assures him that he’ll do fine, the new school building is worried about school starting.  The first day brings its share of ups and downs, but overall, School is pretty happy and ready to move on to the rest of the school year. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Back to School, Backpack! by Simon Rich, illustrated by Tom Toro

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023

After a relaxing summer in a closet, Backpack is not excited about having books stuffed in his mouth and having to travel around backwards. But a hallway collision with another student and his backpack results in a couple of new friendships, both human and backpack. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Yenebi’s Drive to School by Sendy Santamaria

Published by Chronicle Books, 2023

Mami drives Yenebi and her younger sister to school, a journey that can take hours as they wait in la línea, the line of cars waiting to cross the Mexico-U.S. border. There’s a sense of community as those waiting enjoy breakfast from the vendors and wave to each other, and Yenebi arrives at school ready to learn. 40 pages; grades K-4.

How to Get Your Octopus to School by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

Published by Flamingo Books, 2023

A girl has to convince her shy octopus to get ready for the first day of school, but once they’re both there, she’s the one who has a hard time saying goodbye. 32 pages; ages 4-8.

This Is a School by John Schu, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison

Published by Candlewick, 2022

As school starts, kids learn that school is a place to learn and discover, to make mistakes, and to find out what they’re good at.  The school becomes a community that grows, transforms, and cares about each other. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

Butterflies on the First Day of School by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Dream Chen

Published by Sterling Children’s Books, 2019

Mom calls Rosie’s nerves on the first day of school “butterflies in your stomach”.  Whenever something good happens at school that day, a butterfly flies out of her mouth.  She even sees one come out of another girl’s mouth!  By the end of the day, the butterflies are all gone. 32 pages; ages 3-7.

Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by April Harrison

Published by Schwartz and Wade, 2020

Zura’s worried about bringing her Ghanaian grandmother to school for Grandparents’ Day, because she’s seen people stare at Nana Akua’s facial tattoo.  But Nana knows the secret for helping people feel comfortable, and the visit is a huge success. Includes a glossary and Adrinka symbols with their meanings on the endpapers. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems

Published by Hyperion Books for Children, 2019

The pigeon has a long list of reasons why he shouldn’t have to go to school…until he sees that he gets to ride there on a bus. 40 pages; ages 4-8.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

Published by Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018

Four kids feel a little strange on the first day of school, but as time goes on, they start to connect and feel okay about what makes them unique. 32 pages; grades 1-4.