9 Kilometers by Claudio Aguilera, illustrated by Gabriela Lyon, translated by Lawrence Schimel (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023, 56 pages, grades K-3). 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.

Isabel and Her Colores Go to School by Alexandra Alessandri (Sleeping Bear Press, 2021, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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. 

Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali, illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell (Salaam Reads, 2020, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo (Katherine Tegen Books, 2023, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

The King of Kindergarten and The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2019 and 2022, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Two kids pretend to be royalty as they brave the first day of kindergarten.

The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024, 48 pages, grades K-3). 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.

Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube (Abrams, 2018, 32 pages, ages 4-8). 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. 

Thank You, School by Louise Borden, illustrated by Paige Keiser (Holiday House, 2026, 32 pages, ages 4-9).  As they go through their day, kids thank all the adults in their lives who help make school a positive experience for them.

The Puppy Bus by Drew Brockington (Harry N. Abrams, 2022, 40 pages, ages 3-8). A boy accidentally gets on the Puppy Bus and winds up spending his first day of school at Leroy’s Puppy School.

Lena’s Shoes Are Nervous by Keith Calabrese, illustrated by Juana Medina (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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. 

Camp Tiger by Susan Choi, illustrated by John Rocco (G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2019, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.  

A New School Year by Sally Derby, illustrated by Mika Song (Charlesbridge, 2017, 48 pages, grades 1-5). 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. 

The Brilliant Ms. Bangle by Cara Devins, illustrated by K-Fai Steele (Feiwel and Friends, 2023, 32 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Sounds Like School Spirit by Meg Fleming, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummin (Dial Books, 2021, 32 pages, ages 4-8). This call-and-response rhyming book will get even the shyest kindergartener excited about the first day of school.

Ready for Kindergarten by Bethany V. Freitas, illustrated by Maja Anderson (Clarion Books, 2023, 32 pages, ages 4-6). 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.

Fall Is for Beginnings by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Abhi Alwar (Harry N. Abrams, 2025, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Ravi learns that it’s okay for each school year to be different when a new girl starts hanging out with him and his best friend.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2018, 44 pages, ages 4-8). Rhyming text and busy illustrations show a diverse classroom of children and families coming together to form a community.

School Is Wherever I Am by Ellie Peterson (Roaring Brook Press, 2022, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

My First Day by Phúng Nguyên Quang, illustrated by Huỳnh Kim Liên (Make Me a World, 2021, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex, illustrated by Christian Robinson (Roaring Brook Press, 2016, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Back to School, Backpack! by Simon Rich, illustrated by Tom Toro (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2023, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Yenebi’s Drive to School by Sendy Santamaria (Chronicle Books, 2023, 40 pages, grades K-4). 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.

How to Get Your Octopus to School by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett (Flamingo Books, 2023, 32 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

This Is a School by John Schu, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison (Candlewick, 2022, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

Butterflies on the First Day of School by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Dream Chen (Sterling Children’s Books, 2019, 32 pages, ages 3-7). 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.

Nana Akua Goes to School by Tricia Elam Walker, illustrated by April Harrison (Schwartz and Wade, 2020, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School by Mo Willems (Hyperion Books for Children, 2019, 40 pages, ages 4-8). 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.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018, 32 pages, grades 1-4). 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.