20 Back-To-School Books For School AND Classroom Libraries
20 picture books for the Back-to-School season about friendship, inclusivity, diversity and mindfulness. Add these titles to your classroom library, school library, or home library!
There are lots of Back-to-School book lists floating around on Instagram and Pinterest, but I wanted to create my own list of some of my favourites!
The book lists you find online are great, but many of them only include books about school itself. It’s important to start the year with read-alouds that discuss school, but also topics like inclusivity, diversity, creativity, growth mindset, and mindfulness.
I was determined to curate a list with a good mix of all of these topics, and I am really happy with it! Most of these books are great for any time of the year, but they can be extra powerful to help introduce classroom norms and build a kind and welcoming classroom community.
Let me know if you have any favourites on this list, new ones you’re interested in, or any suggestions for next year!
Enjoy!
Jenn
P.S. If you are looking for some back-to-school activities that match some of these titles…keep scrolling to the bottom!
Back-To-School Books
We Are Welcome - Alexandra Penfold — classroom community, diversity, inclusivity
Chicken Story Time - Sandy Asher — school and library routines, fun
Yoga Frog - Nora Carpenter — mindfulness, relaxation
My Teacher is a Monster - Peter Brown - teacher-student roles, re-framing, fun
Anything is Possible - Elizabeth Strout - growth mindset, determination
The Day You Begin - Jacqueline Woodson - first day, inclusivity, belonging, identity
Shark Lady - Jess Keating - determination, goal setting
Meditate with Me - Mariam Gates - mindfulness, relaxation
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates - Ryan T. Higgins - school routines, friendship, fun
The Most Magnificent Thing - Ashley Spires - determination, critical thinking, growth mindset
The Word Collector - Peter H. Reynolds - growth mindset, literacy goals
This School Year Will Be the Best! - Kay Winters - positivity, classroom community, friendship
Stick and Stone - Beth Ferry - friendship, differences
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress - Christine Baldacchino - identity, community, gender roles
How to Get Your Teacher Ready - Jean Reagan - school routines, fun
The Name Jar - Yangsook Choi - identity, belonging
Oddrey - Dave Whamond - identity, school community, individuality
School’s First Day of School - Alex Rex - belonging, community, inclusivity
I Am Human - Susan Verde - community, diversity, inclusivity
Teacher’s Pet - Anica Mrose Rissi - school community, fun
SHARK LADY - FREE No-prep Shark Lady reading responses
ALL ARE WELCOME - FREE bulletin board display template
BTS Welcome: I AM posters for your classroom or library
