4 Beloved Back-to-School Children’s Books for 2026

3 hours ago 2

School is just about to start, and most kids are having jitters of both excitement and nervousness. The big first day (and even week) brings with it big and bright feelings. Sometimes, these big feelings make you jump around, and sometimes they get you really quiet. Whatever you feel, your classmates (and even teachers!) are feeling it with you.

To make sure you know you’re not alone, some people have written about exactly how they’ve felt or imagine how you might feel. Here’s a list of books to put you at ease and help you care for yourself leading up to your big day.

Welcome to Our Classroom! by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

This is the latest heartwarming addition to the All Are Welcome series. The teacher is the narrator telling the kids in the class what they can expect from their school year: joys as well as challenges. The illustrations are warm and bright against a white background, and carry the message of honoring cultural diversity in the classroom.

Tiny t rex and the first day oopsies book cover

Tiny T. Rex and the First-Day Oopsies: A Back-to-School Book by Jonathan Stutzman & Jay Fleck

If you’re worried about oopsies (which I fully understand why you would be), Tiny is here to go through them with you. Tiny has many first-day oopsies, learns from them, gets better, and realizes that everybody does oopsies. The illustrations are absolutely adorable.

Fall Is for Beginnings: A Picture Book (Seasons are for Everything by Rajani LaRocca & Abhi Alwar

Fall is for doing new things and Ravi is so looking forward to it. He wants to get back to school and spend time with his best friend Joe. However, what he doesn’t see coming is that the new girl, Ellie, would like to be his friend. Ravi isn’t ready for his duo to become a trio. We watch him struggle, have a lovely conversation with his sister, and in the spirit of welcoming newness, make space for a new person.

Loops by Jashar Awan

I think Loops is a very fitting book to read before getting back to school because it shows a big kid doing a big kid task by learning how to wear his big kid pair of shoes. Learning to tie your shoelaces is a childhood milestone and the big kid in this one is full of tender perseverance. I would’ve loved to read it as a child, and I hope you enjoy it!

If you enjoyed reading this, also check out back-to-school picture books for students of any age and our back-to-school archives.

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