First day of School

It is that time of year again, back to school. Many are sad that summer is over, many are excited to get back to school and their friends and then there are those who are just starting school for the first time and are full of nerves. Luckily there are so many wonderful books out there to help with the many different emotions that go with starting a new school year which includes starting school for the first time, going to a new school, making new friends, reconnecting with old friends, having new teachers, moving schools, starting middle school, starting high school, the list goes on. The first day of school for everyone is always full of excitement and anxiety. Here is a list of some of my favorite "going back to school" books that are available at your local libraries, school libraries and even bookstores.

Preschool Books:
Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins
Mouse's First day of school by Lauren Thompson
Will I have a friend by Miriam Cohen (this is one of my favorites and an all-time classic!)

Picture Books: (in no particular order)
Seymour Slug Starts School by Carey Armstrong-Ellis
Look out kindergarten, here I come by Nancy Carlson
Never Spit on your Shoes by Denys Cazet (for the child who loves rules)
I am too absolutely small for school by Lauren Child
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (for the child who has a hard time separating)
First day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
My mom made me go to school by Judy Delton
Meet the Barkers: Morgan and Moffat go to school by Tomie DePaola
Back to School for Rotten Ralph by Janck Gantos
Miss Mingo and the first day of school by Jamie Harper
Jessica by Kevin Henkes (for the child who has an imaginative friend)
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes (for the child who worries a lot)
Froggy goes to School by Jonathan London
Mr Monkey's Classroom by Jiwon Oh
My name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits (for the child who has moved from another country)
Vera's first day of school by Vera Rosenberry
Miss Bindergarten gets ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
Don't eat the teacher by Nick Ward
First Grade Stinks by Mary Ann Rodman
Sam and Gram and the First day of School by Dianne Bloomberg
Slippers at School by Andrew Clements (for the dog lover)

Beginning Readers:
Lucky Goes to School by Gail Herman
Arthur's Back to School Day by Lillian Hoban
Amanda Pig, Schoolgirl by Jan Van Leeuwen
The first day of school by Margaret McNamara
Princess Posey and the first day parade by Stephanie Greene
Stuart goes to School by Sara Pennypacker

3-5th grade books:
Cam Jansen and the first day of school mystery by David Adler
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald
Ramona's World by Beverly Cleary
Back to school Mallory by Laurie Friedman
The New Kid at School by Kate McMullan
Moxie Maxwell does not love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford

4-6th grade books:
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
The reinvention of Moxie Roosevelt by Elizabeth Kimmel

We all know that starting middle school and high school can be very anxiety ridden. There are also some great stories and even survival guides available on how to make friends, navigate around a new school, making good choices and decisions and surviving the pre-teen and teen years. These are just a few titles but there are many more available online or at your local bookstores.

Middle school:

A Smart Girl's Guide to Starting Middle School: Everything You Need to Know About Juggling More Homework, More Teachers, and More Friends (American Girl Library) by Julie Williams 

The fashion disaster that changed my life by Lauren Myracle

High School:

High School 101: Freshman Survival Guide by Dawn Burnette

Ultimate High School Survival Guide (Peterson's Ultimate Guides) by Julianne Dueber

Back to school is an exciting time, full of new beginnings and new adventures. I hope everyone has a great year! I know I will!