5 Books to Read Before Your First Day of School

Things are cooling off as summer begins to melt into fall, and soon it will be time to head back to the classroom. The days ahead are sure to be filled with learning, friendship and trying new things. If your child is struggling to see the opportunities or focusing a little too hard on the uncertainties of a new year, try reading one of these five stories together to open the door for discussion around all the ups and downs a new school experience can bring!

“The Little Butterfly That Could” by Ross Burach

This charming tale takes readers into the minds of a very nervous butterfly. Accompanied by colorful and engaging illustrations for young readers, this story can help change your child’s perspective when they’re fearful of starting their next big journey – such as a new year in school. They can go from “what if I can’t” to “I will continue to try” with inspiration from a migrating butterfly who learns to persevere in the face of even the most daunting challenges, including a 200-mile solo journey.

“Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School” by Emily Jenkins

A new classroom, new peers and new grade can come with a lot of “what ifs” – and first grader Harry has a whole list of them! He stews over how to make a good first impression on his big day and dissects all the potential obstacles he might run into along the way. With the support of his thoughtful mom, honest older sister and a very enticing lunch, Harry tackles the first day of school … and then 99 more. Soon, he learns that first grade might not be quite as scary as it seems and can even be fun!

“A Bad Case of Stripes” by David Shannon

Have you ever wanted to fit in so much that you forget to be yourself? This is a struggle faced by Camilla Cream. A nightmare for someone trying to blend in, Camilla’s efforts to not be different led to just that when she suddenly ended up covered in colorful stripes! Thankfully, Camilla learns that the cure to her problem is to simply accept her true, authentic self – even if that makes her a little different from everyone else.

“Nat for Nothing” by Maria Scrivan

A new school term is starting, and Natalie is looking for her “thing” – an extracurricular activity she’ll love. One small problem – she’s struggling to choose! With her best friends having no trouble diving into volleyball and puppetry, Natalie is feeling left out and overcome with doubt. In this fun graphic novel, readers learn alongside Natalie as they explore the power of making new friendships and maintaining old ones while following your own unique interests.

“The Noisy Classroom” by Angela Shanté

A second-grade narrator is familiar with formal classrooms and inflexible schedules at school, so when she finds out that her new third-grade class has a reputation for loud sounds, an unusual teacher and kids choosing to stay late, she gets skeptical. To her dismay, the narrator’s parents do not support her summer backup plan of moving to Antarctica, so she must brave the noisy classroom. Luckily, she learns that different does not be mean bad. With a teacher who combines fun, creativity and learning, her new classroom is way cooler than running away to Antarctica!

More to Discover

Explore our blog for more fun ways to get your child ready to head back to school with confidence!