Back to School Picture Books

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Clothesline clues to the first day of school

Clothesline clues to the first day of school

Heling, Kathryn, author.
2019

Spot A+ clues on the clothesline to identify all the people who make starting school so much fun! A follow-up to Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do and Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play, the clues in each lively verse can be spotted hanging from the clotheslines. From teacher to custodian, from crossing guard to new friends, who wears what?

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Even monsters go to school

Even monsters go to school

Wheeler, Lisa, 1963- author
2019

In the vein of the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs...? series, this follow-up to Even Monsters Need to Sleep is a fresh and humorous back-to-school picture book.

What's a school day like for you?

Bigfoot rides a yellow bus.

Frankenstein shows off his new shoes.

Troll loves playing tag at recess.

And aliens go gaga over school supplies.

Just like you, even monsters go to school!

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Hello school!

Hello school!

Burris, Priscilla, author, illustrator.
2018

A diverse class of excited youngsters are about to start school and experience all its wonders! Small moments like discovering one's own cubby space and big moments like a first nature walk are all brought to life with inviting artwork. This is a great book to help familiarize children with all the activities they can expect at school, from circle time to snack time to goodbye time, all the while sharing the experiences with lots of great new friends.

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How to get your teacher ready

How to get your teacher ready

Reagan, Jean, 1965- author
2017

How to Get Your Teacher Ready... all year long, from the creators of the New York Times bestsellers How to Babysit a Grandpa, How to Babysit a Grandma, and How to Catch Santa .

This humorous new book in the beloved HOW TO . . . series takes readers through a fun and busy school year. Written in tongue-in-cheek instructional style, a class of adorable students gives tips and tricks for getting a teacher ready--for the first day of school, and all the events and milestones that will follow (picture day, holiday concert, the 100th day of school, field day!). And along the way, children will see that getting their teacher ready is really getting themselves ready. Filled with charming role-reversal humor, this is a playful and heartwarming celebration of teachers and students, and the perfect gift for back-to-school readiness or graduation.

Praise for the HOW TO . . . books:

"A new hit this year is How to Catch Santa. . . . The picture book offers lighthearted tips on how kids can steal a glimpse of Mr. Elusive, aka Santa." -- USA Today ( How to Catch Santa )

"Belongs on the shelf of every kid who loves a grandparent." -- The Salt Lake Tribune ( How to Babysit a Grandpa )

"The charm of its premise and the clear bond between the generations will have kids and grandparents giggling together." --School Library Journal ( How to Babysit a Grandma )

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The King of Kindergarten

The King of Kindergarten

Barnes, Derrick D, author.
2019

A New York Times betseller!

A confident little boy takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, by the Newbery Honor-winning author of Crown .

The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.It sits and shines behind your head--like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten !

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone--and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements--and then wake up to start another day.
Newbery Honor-winning author Derrick Barnes's empowering story will give new kindergarteners a reassuring confidence boost, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton's illustrations exude joy.

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On the first day of first grade

On the first day of first grade

Rabe, Tish, author
2018

On the first day of first grade, there will be lots of fun! This is the perfect book to share with a kindergartner getting ready for the step up to "big kid" school!

From choosing books to read to building things with clay to performing in a play, there are many exciting firsts to look forward to. Saying good-bye to mom and dad can be hard, but when the school bus pulls up, it's time for some first-grade fun!

This engaging, vibrant adaptation of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" helps show parents and children alike that there is no place cooler than a first-grade classroom.

Tish Rabe, a seasoned children's book author of over 160 books, puts a novel spin on a first-day-of-school classic with On the First Day of First Grade.

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The pigeon has to go to school!

The pigeon has to go to school!

Willems, Mo, author, illustrator
2019

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!
Ask not for whom the school bell rings; it rings for the Pigeon!

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Preschool, here I come!

Preschool, here I come!

Steinberg, David J.
2019

From saying goodbye to parents on the very first day of school to watching butterflies hatch in spring, D. J. Steinberg celebrates all the landmark moments of preschool. Because the year is full of so many firsts, this collection of funny, joyful poems is a must-have for all small scholars in the making.

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School people

School people

2018

Fifteen poems selected by acclaimed poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins celebrate all of the grown-ups that children encounter during the course of a school day.

Welcome to school, a building of brick "full of soul and heart," eager for students and staff to fill its halls with sounds. This anthology of fifteen poems celebrates the grown-up people that children encounter throughout the course of their school day: the school bus driver with her morning smile, the teacher who inspires imagination, the rarely seen, yet caring custodian, and the nurse who heals hurts, big and small. There's even a poem about the school building. Award-winning poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins has compiled this marvelous collection featuring a variety of brand-new works by well-known poets and beautifully imaginative artwork by illustrator Ellen Shi.

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The secret life of squirrels : back to school!

The secret life of squirrels : back to school!

Rose, Nancy (Nancy Patricia), 1954- author, illustrator.
2018

Mr. Peanuts' friend Rosie needs help preparing for the first day of school! The two squirrels go shopping for school supplies, set up the library and music corners, bring all the sports equipment out to the blacktop, and decorate the classroom. Mr. Peanuts even practices driving the school bus! This school year is going to be a blast.

Nancy Rose brings this back-to-school story to life with her photographs of real wild squirrels in handcrafted, homemade miniature settings.

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So big!

So big!

Wohnoutka, Mike, author, illustrator
2019

A simple, clever text paired with utterly adorable animal characters makes school-day jitters seem not so big after all!

Bear is so big, and he's ready to start school!

But even if you're SO BIG, you might feel a little nervous at times.

Can Bear brave his first day and find a way to make it feel just right ?

A clever and charming story, So Big! will help young readers through all the important first steps in life.

Acclaim for Dad's First Day
Bank Street Best Children's Books of 2016--outstanding merit title

Acclaim for Moo!
An ALA Notable book
A BCCB Blue Ribbon selection

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Sorry, grown-ups, you can't go to school!

Sorry, grown-ups, you can't go to school!

Geist, Christina, author.
2019

It's just another school morning...until Mom, Dad, Grandma, and even Bow-wow the dog BEG the kids to let them come to school, too! Dad can tie his own shoes--why can't he come? Mom is all ready with her brand-new backpack--she's allowed, right? No! Only kids and teachers!

Christina Geist's warm, interactive story is the perfect tool for parents of kids who are reluctant or nervous about going to school. The fun refrain--"Sorry, grown-ups! You can't go to school! Only kids and teachers! Only kids and teachers!"--brilliantly paints school as something exclusive and desirable...which kids can access! Tim Bowers's lively illustrations enhance the fun and heighten the hilarity. This is sure to be a back-to-school classic in many families and classrooms!

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Take your pet to school day

Take your pet to school day

Ashman, Linda, author
2019

When pets show up with their kids at Maple View Elementary, it's total chaos! These animals have no respect for school rules, and every class quickly gets out of hand. But why did they show up in the first place? Who said they could come? Could it have been...the pets themselves? It turns out they just wanted in on the fun! Now, if they want to stay, they'll just have to behave....

Linda Ashman's bouncy, rhyming text lends itself perfectly to an exuberant classroom read-aloud, and Suzanne Kaufman's playful art is full of hilarious details. A great way to generate enthusiasm for school, this book will easily find a place in pet lovers' hearts.

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Unicorn is maybe not so great after all

Unicorn is maybe not so great after all

Shea, Bob, author, illustrator
2019

You remember Unicorn. You know, Goat's friend? The one who can fly, make it rain cupcakes, and turn things into gold? On the first day of school, Unicorn expects to make his usual big splash. But no one pays him much attention - the other kids are much more interested in the latest trend in toys: rubber bands that look like other things. Unicorn comes up with a plan to get his mojo back, but his efforts turn out to be more annoying than impressive. Can Goat help him recover his magic, or is Unicorn destined to a life of mediocrity?

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