Wondering what stories to choose as your back-to-school books for your read-aloud time? These books and read-aloud activities help teach important back-to-school classroom concepts and help build a community and relationships with students.

Back-To-School Books and Read Aloud Activities

The first few weeks of school can feel like a lot. New names to learn, routines to teach, procedures to practice, and a classroom full of little personalities getting to know one another. For our students, it’s a big transition too. They’re figuring out where they belong, getting to know their classmates, and adjusting to a new school year.

That’s one reason read-alouds are such a valuable part of the beginning of the year. Sitting together with a good book gives everyone a chance to slow down and connect. Stories can open the door to conversations about friendship, kindness, feelings, differences, and what it means to be part of a classroom community.

The right back-to-school books can also make some of those early conversations a whole lot easier. Instead of explaining everything yourself, a story gives students characters and situations they can relate to, talk about, and learn from.

Here are some favorite back-to-school books to help you build classroom community, make your students feel welcome, and start the year on a positive note, along with read-aloud activities to make each story even more meaningful.

How to Choose the Right Back-to-School Read-Aloud

With so many great children’s books to choose from, it can be hard to know which ones are worth adding to your first-weeks-of-school reading pile. The best back-to-school read-alouds are more than just entertaining stories. They give students something to talk about, connect to, and learn from as they adjust to a new classroom and school year.

When choosing books for the beginning of the year, look for stories that:

• Build a sense of belonging: Choose books that help students see themselves in the classroom and understand that everyone has a place in the community.
• Encourage meaningful conversations: Look for stories that naturally open the door to discussions about friendship, kindness, feelings, differences, and working together.
• Address common back-to-school feelings: Books about being nervous, excited, shy, or unsure can help students recognize and talk about their own feelings.
• Introduce classroom expectations: Stories that show characters listening, sharing, solving problems, taking care of their surroundings, or helping others can reinforce the behaviors you want to see in your classroom.
• Keep students engaged: Choose books with interesting characters, relatable situations, humor, or illustrations that invite students to look closely and participate in the story.

You don’t need every book to cover every topic. A small collection of thoughtfully chosen stories can give you plenty of opportunities to build relationships, introduce your classroom culture, and help students feel comfortable in their new environment.

Why Read-Alouds Matter During the First Weeks of School

Read-alouds are about so much more than reading a story together. During those first few weeks of school, they give your class a chance to pause, connect, and start building a sense of community.

A thoughtful story can help students talk about feelings, friendships, kindness, and the experience of trying something new. It can also introduce classroom expectations and give children a chance to see themselves and their classmates represented in the books you share. Books are a great place to learn about a growth mindset

Reading classroom community books can help students feel comfortable, connected, and ready to meet new peers. And honestly, when those first weeks are busy, and everyone is still finding their rhythm, having a few go-to read-alouds can make your day a little easier, too.

How to Use Read-Alouds to Teach Classroom Expectations, Build Community, and Support SEL

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to use books as a springboard for conversations about how you want your classroom to feel and how you want students to treat one another. Instead of simply reading a story and moving on, pause for a few minutes, ask questions, and connect the story to your students’ experiences.

Teach Classroom Expectations

Stories can make classroom expectations feel more meaningful than simply listing rules. Look for books that show characters listening, taking turns, solving problems, caring for classroom materials, or working together. After reading, talk about what the characters did and how those choices might look in your own classroom.

Build Classroom Community

The first weeks of school are all about getting to know one another. Books give students a shared experience to talk about, even as they get comfortable with their classmates. Choose stories that celebrate friendship, kindness, differences, and belonging, and give students opportunities to share their own thoughts and experiences.

Support Social-Emotional Learning

Back-to-school can bring all kinds of emotions. Some children are excited, while others may feel nervous, shy, frustrated, or unsure. Stories can help children recognize those feelings and see that they’re not alone. Ask questions to encourage students to identify emotions, practice empathy, and think about how they can respond to others.

Make the Conversation Part of the Routine

You don’t need to turn every read-aloud into a lengthy lesson. Sometimes one thoughtful question is enough. A quick conversation before, during, or after a story can help students connect the book to their classroom experiences. It also reinforces the values you’re building together.

Over time, these small conversations add up. The books you read and the discussions you have can help create a classroom where students feel heard, included, and comfortable being themselves.

Back-to-School Time

When back-to-school time rolls around, those feelings of anxiety may appear. A new school year can be scary, and often we don’t know what to expect as the first day approaches.

You may wonder how to manage your classroom, structure lessons, and choose the right resources for those first few weeks.

In the primary grades, picture books are some of the best resources you can use to teach all types of skills. From social-emotional skills to a growth mindset, books are a great resource for teaching, discussing, and learning with little learners!

Book chats are a great way to engage your students before, during, and after reading. Ask students questions like:

• What can I do to help you?
• What do you think this book is about?
• What does this letter mean to you?

By asking questions throughout the book, you keep students engaged and find ways to connect with them.

However, reading these books is often not enough. Read-aloud activities help students understand the book’s concept more deeply.

8 Back To School Read Alouds

You can try plenty of back-to-school classroom activities during the first weeks of school. During that time, read these back-to-school picture books and try the supporting read-aloud activities. The books will not only help teach back-to-school concepts but also help you build a classroom community!  

Classroom Community Read-Alouds

1. A Letter From Your Teacher

By Shannon Olsen Grade Level: PreK–2

Summary: Oh, this one is such a sweet way to start the year! It is a warm little letter written straight from teacher to student on the very first day. The story lets kids know right away that their teacher already adores them. It is the perfect hug in book form for those nervous first-day feelings.

Teaching Focus: Helping little ones feel safe, loved, and excited about their new teacher relationship from minute one.

Before Reading: Tell your friends that this letter comes straight from your heart, just for them, and share what you are hoping this school year will be like together.

During Reading: Pause and ask, “What do you think I am most excited about this year?” Then near the end, ask, “How does it feel knowing your teacher already cares about you so much?”

After Reading: Have everyone share something they want their teacher to know about them. It is such a fun way to get to know your class! You could even write a class letter back together.

2. All Are Welcome

By Alexandra Penfold Grade Level: K–2

Summary: This one is bursting with happy energy! It takes you through a school day where every single friend, no matter where they come from, gets a big warm welcome. It celebrates all the wonderful ways we are different and shows just how special that is.

Teaching Focus: Celebrating diversity and building a classroom where every friend feels like they truly belong.

Before Reading: Show the cover and ask friends what they think the book might be about. What does “all are welcome” make them think of?

During Reading: Stop on a few pages and ask, “What do you notice about our friends here? What is the same? What is different?” Point out all the fun details in the pictures together.

After Reading: Chat about the story together and talk about what it means to welcome someone.

3. Our Class is a Family

By Shannon Olsen Grade Level: K to 2

Summary: Grab your tissues, teacher friends, because this one is precious! It reminds our little learners that their classroom is a safe place where they can be themselves, make mistakes, and learn how to be a good friend. It sets the sweetest tone for the whole year ahead.

Teaching Focus: Building trust, togetherness, and a true sense of family within your classroom community.

Before Reading: Chat about what makes a family a family. Ask, “How could our class be like a family too?” Compare home and school together.

During Reading: Pause when the class does something together in the story and ask, “What is happening here that makes this class feel like a family?”

After Reading: Talk together about all the wonderful things that make your classroom feel like home.

First Day Jitters Read Alouds

4. First Day Jitters

By Julie Danneberg Grade Level: K to 2

Summary: Get ready for the sweetest little twist! Sarah Jane Hampton is dreading the first day of school and wants nothing to do with it. But there’s a surprise at the end: Sarah Jane isn’t a student at all. She’s the brand-new teacher!

Teaching Focus: Reminding our friends that everyone gets nervous sometimes, even grown-ups!

Before Reading: Ask friends how they felt walking in this morning. Was anyone feeling a little jittery too?

During Reading: Before the big reveal, ask, “Who do you think Sarah Jane Hampton could be? A student, or maybe someone else?”

After Reading: Celebrate the fun twist together and talk about how even teachers get nervous sometimes. What helps us feel better?

5. The Kissing Hand

By Audrey Penn Grade Level: PreK to 1

Summary: This one is an absolute classic and such a comfort for little hearts. Chester the Raccoon feels nervous about starting school and leaving his mom. She gives him a special secret to take with him: a kiss in the palm of his hand that he can carry all day.

Teaching Focus: Helping friends feel brave and comforted when it is time to say goodbye.

Before Reading: Ask friends how they said goodbye to their grown-up this morning. Was it easy, or a little tricky?

During Reading: Pause when Chester gets his kissing hand and ask, “What helps you feel better when you miss someone during the day?”

After Reading: Give everyone their very own kissing hand and chat about other cozy ways to feel comforted at school.

Classroom Expectations Read Alouds

6. The Pigeon Has to Go to School

By Mo Willems Grade Level: PreK to 1

Summary: This one always gets the giggles going! Pigeon definitely does not want to go to school! He comes up with every silly excuse imaginable, but by the end, he might just be a little excited after all.

Teaching Focus: Give our friends permission to feel nervous about something new, while showing them it can be fun too.

Before Reading: Ask, “Has anyone ever felt like Pigeon, not wanting to try something new?”

During Reading: Read a few of Pigeon’s excuses and ask, “Do you think that is a good reason to skip school? Why or why not?”

After Reading: Talk about what changed Pigeon’s mind. Have everyone share one thing they are excited about this year.

Friendship & Kindness

7. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

By Ryan T. Higgins Grade Level: PreK to 2

Summary: This one is silly, sweet, and so much fun! Penelope Rex is thrilled for her first day of school, but she keeps accidentally eating her classmates. With a little guidance, she learns to see things from her friends’ point of view.

Teaching Focus: Practicing empathy, self-control, and thinking about how our actions affect our friends.

Before Reading: Ask, “What are some classroom rules that help us be kind to our friends?”

During Reading: Each time Penelope eats a classmate, pause and ask, “How do you think that made her friend feel?”

After Reading: Chat about how Penelope learns to think about her friends’ feelings. Have everyone share one way they can show empathy this year.

Confidence & Growth Mindset Read Alouds

8. Chrysanthemum

By Kevin Henkes Grade Level: PreK to 2

Summary: This darling story is about a little mouse who loves her name completely. But then, school starts and some classmates tease her about it. With a little help from a beloved teacher, sweet Chrysanthemum learns to love her name all over again.

Teaching Focus: Kindness, confidence, and understanding how our words can affect our friends.

Before Reading: Ask friends how they feel about their own names. Do they know the story behind their name? Has anyone ever teased them about something special about themselves?

During Reading: Pause when the teasing happens and ask, “How do you think that makes her feel? What could we say to be a good friend right now?”

After Reading: Talk about how our words can be kind or hurtful. Have everyone share one thing they love about their very own name.

Book	Category	Grade Level	Best For
Our Class Is a Family	Classroom Community	K–2	Building a welcoming classroom community
All Are Welcome	Classroom Community	K–2	Celebrating inclusion and belonging
A Letter From Your Teacher	Classroom Community	K–2	Welcoming students and starting the year
The Kissing Hand	First-Day Jitters	K–1	Easing separation anxiety
First Day Jitters	First-Day Jitters	K–2	Talking about first-day nerves
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!	Classroom Expectations	K–1	Making school expectations fun
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates	Friendship & Kindness	K–2	Teaching kindness and empathy
Chrysanthemum	Confidence & Growth Mindset	K–2	Building confidence and celebrating differences

Featured Book Companion Activities

Ready for the fun part? Let’s take a peek at a few of our favorite activities from the book companion bundles, the ones that make these first days of school feel extra special in your classroom!

A Letter From Your Teacher Activities

• Book Chat Cards: Use book chat cards to spark meaningful discussions with students before, during, and after reading. Students can use them as bookmarks, giving them a simple reminder to pause, think, and share their ideas as they read.

• Our Happy Place Interactive Anchor Chart: An interactive anchor chart lets students identify their happy place, what it is, and what it sounds like. Kids love adding Post-it notes for everyone to see.

• “5 Things About Me” Apple Flip-book: Students can list their favorite parts of the school day, favorite activities, favorite foods, etc to get to know them better. Encourage kids to share their unique ideas so everyone can learn about one another.

• Letter to Teacher: Have students write a letter to you about what they are excited about, nervous about, enjoy doing, etc. This will give you quick insider information on which students need extra encouragement, insight into what classroom management strategies to try, or even what treats or incentives your class would enjoy. 

• Classroom Decor Posters: Help students feel comfortable and welcome with motivating decor. Signs that read “Welcome” or “Be awesome today!” will not only help eliminate some jitters but also show students you believe in them! 

All Are Welcome Activities

• Book Chat Cards: Use book chat cards to spark meaningful discussions with students before, during, and after reading. Students can use them as bookmarks and reminders to pause, think, and share their ideas.

• All Are Welcome Interactive Anchor Chart: Brainstorm ideas to show welcoming behaviors they can use throughout the first couple of days and throughout the rest of the year. Examples include “introduce yourself” or “smile.”

• Welcoming and Unwelcoming Sort: Work together as a group to sort different scenarios presented on cards with behavior examples. Decide together which category to add each to: “welcoming” and “unwelcoming.” This activity helps younger students, who may struggle to choose the correct behavior. 

• “I Belong Here” Writing: Encourage students to decide why they belong in the classroom and write about it. Ask them, “What makes you a great friend, student, or person?” Emphasize that everyone belongs in the classroom. Help every student start the year feeling confident and included.

• All Are Welcome Storybook: Read the “All Are Welcome” printable storybook to learn how to welcome and include others at school. Have students color the pictures in the book and write about one way that they will include others. It is a great resource to send home with students and to have them read at home, too! 

Our Class is a Family Activities

• Book Chat Cards: Use book chat cards to spark meaningful discussions with students before, during, and after reading. Students can use them as bookmarks and reminders to pause, think, and share their ideas.

• “In Our Classroom” Interactive Anchor Chart: After you read the story, brainstorm and record words and ideas about what you do, what you say, and how you feel in the classroom. Encourage kids to think of the ideas presented in the story and to include their own as well.

• School Directed Drawing: Whether you are drawing a bus, school, or any other directed drawing, there are many benefits. Use this school-directed drawing to get students thinking about their school and what makes it feel like a family. After students are done drawing, have them write a short sentence about their school using a sentence starter.

• My Classroom Family Writing: Get students writing those first couple of days with a simple writing prompt about their classroom family. Encourage students to look around the classroom and determine what makes this place and their peers a family. 

• “At School, I am” Craft: Discuss with students how they should behave at school and why good behavior is an important part of our classroom community. Focus more on SEL behaviors like being kind, accepting, etc. Then, record these ideas as “I Can” statements on this fun school-shaped craft. Back-to-school crafts are always a great way to start the year.

Chrysanthemum Activities

• Book Chat Cards: Use book chat cards to spark meaningful discussions with students before, during, and after reading. Students can use them as bookmarks and reminders to pause, think, and share their ideas.

• All About My Name Writing Prompts: There are so many sweet ways to write about Chrysanthemum! In “My Name Is Special,” have each student write about their very own name, where it came from, what it means, or just why they love it, such a great confidence booster right from the start of the year.

• Words Can Hurt or Help Group Activity: Have students write ideas on sticky notes to discuss ways that words can hurt or help others. This is a fantastic group discussion for all ages.

• How to Draw a Mouse: Walk your class through a simple step-by-step mouse drawing, just like sweet Chrysanthemum. Once they are done, have them add their own special name in bubble letters or fun colors!

• “I am Special” Hat Craft: This one is the perfect finishing touch for your Chrysanthemum activities! Have students decorate a hat with fun facts about their name, like its letters, syllables, or meaning. They’ll love wearing their hats proudly!

First Day Jitters Activities

• Book Chat Cards: Use book chat cards to spark meaningful discussions with students before, during, and after reading. Students can use them as bookmarks and reminders to pause, think, and share their ideas.

• First Day Feelings Writing: Have each student write about how they felt walking into school on the very first day, nervous, excited, or maybe even a little of both, just like Sarah Jane Hampton.

• My Jitters Anchor Chart: Create an anchor chart with two sides, one for worries and one for excitement, and have your friends share what is making them a little nervous and what they cannot wait for this year.

• Jitter Juice Craft: Your friends are going to adore this one! Have students create a fun “jitter juice” craft filled with colorful jitters. Then, have them write a recipe for calming their nerves, like taking a deep breath, getting a hug, or holding a favorite stuffed animal.

• My Feelings Flipbook: Have students create a flipbook to explore different feelings, like nervous, excited, happy, or silly, just like the characters in the story. It is such a great way to help your friends recognize and talk about their emotions all year long!

The Kissing Hand Activities

• Book Chat Cards: Use book chat cards to spark meaningful discussions with students before, during, and after reading. Students can use them as bookmarks and reminders to pause, think, and share their ideas.

• First Day Feelings Writing: Have each student write about how they felt saying goodbye on the first day, like Chester, then give them space to draw a picture that matches their feelings. It’s a sweet way to blend writing and art while helping everyone talk through those big goodbye emotions!

• Whole Group Sort: As a class, sort cards into three categories on an anchor chart: things I can do when I feel nervous, people who can help me, and places I feel safe. It is such a sweet, hands-on companion to The Kissing Hand that reminds every friend they are never alone when those big feelings show up!

• My Feelings Thermometer: Have students fill in a feelings thermometer to show how nervous, calm, or excited they feel. Then, have them write a sentence about why. It is such a simple, sweet tool your class can use again and again whenever those big feelings come up!

• Kissing Hand Backpack Craft: Have students decorate a backpack craft and add pictures of things they can carry with them, like courage, kindness, or a little piece of home. It’s a sweet reminder that they’re never truly alone.

The Pigeon HAS to go to School Activities

• Book Chat Cards: Use book chat cards to spark meaningful discussions with students before, during, and after reading. Students can use them as bookmarks and reminders to pause, think, and share their ideas.

• Opinion Writing: Should Pigeon Go to School?: Have each student write whether they think Pigeon should go to school and why, using details from the story to back up their thinking. It is such a great introduction to opinion writing, all wrapped up in a giggle-worthy topic your class will love!

• Pigeon’s School Adventure: Students take turns pulling cards with questions and discussion prompts about The Pigeon Has to Go to School, sparking giggles and conversation. It’s a playful way to review the book while getting your friends talking and thinking together!

• My School Confidence Toolbox: Have each student create their very own toolbox filled with things that help them feel confident about school, like a favorite friend, a deep breath, or a kind word from a teacher. It is such an empowering companion to The Pigeon Has to Go to School, reminding every friend they have exactly what they need to have a great day!

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates Activities

• Book Chat Cards: Use book chat cards to spark meaningful discussions with students before, during, and after reading. Students can use them as bookmarks and reminders to pause, think, and share their ideas.

• Our Friendship Pledge: As a class, brainstorm the qualities that make a great friend, like kindness, sharing, and thinking about others’ feelings, just like Penelope learns to do. Then come together to create a classroom pledge, promising to treat each other with care all year long. It is such a sweet way to set the tone for a kind and caring classroom community!

• We Don’t Eat Our Classmates Question Cards: Each card presents a silly or relatable scenario. Students discuss what a kind friend would do, just like Penelope. It is such a playful way to practice empathy and problem-solving while keeping the giggles going!

• I Can Be a Good Friend Drawing & Writing: Walk your class through a simple step-by-step dinosaur drawing, just like Penelope Rex, and then have them write one way they can be a good friend to their classmates this year. It is such a sweet way to blend art and kindness while wrapping up all that empathy your class has been building!

Sample First Week Read-Aloud Schedule

Here is a real look at how you could use these first-week-of-school books together! Use these activities during morning meeting, whole-group lessons, small-group lessons, and as additional lessons!

Monday: A Letter From Your Teacher

Read the book together, then use the Book Chat Cards to guide your before-, during-, and after-reading chat. Wrap up with the Our Happy Place Anchor Chart and the “5 Things About Me” Apple Flip-book to help everyone get to know each other.

Tuesday: The Kissing Hand

Read the book aloud using the Book Chat Cards to spark discussion. Then complete the Whole Group Sort (Things I Can Do, People Who Can Help, Places I Feel Safe) together, followed by the First Day Feelings Writing and Drawing activity and the Kissing Hand Backpack Craft.

Wednesday: All Are Welcome

Read the book together and chat using the Book Chat Cards. Complete the All Are Welcome Interactive Anchor Chart as a group, then have friends finish the “I Belong Here” Writing activity and enjoy the All Are Welcome Storybook.

Thursday: Chrysanthemum

Read the book aloud with the Book Chat Cards to guide your discussion. Complete the Words Can Hurt or Help Anchor Chart together, then have friends choose from the Writing Activities (My Name Is Special or Chrysanthemum’s Feelings), and finish with the How to Draw a Mouse activity and the “I Am Special” Hat Craft.

Friday: Our Class is a Family

Read the book together and wrap up the week with the Book Chat Cards. Complete the “In Our Classroom” Interactive Anchor Chart as a group, then have friends finish the My Classroom Family Writing activity and celebrate with the “At School, I Am” Craft.

Tip: Feel free to swap in any of the other featured books, like First Day Jitters, The Pigeon Has to Go to School, or We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, to fit your classroom needs!

Back-to-School Read-Aloud FAQs

What are the best back-to-school books for young learners?

The best back-to-school books are ones that help students connect with the characters, talk about their own experiences, and feel more comfortable in their new classroom. Look for stories about friendship, kindness, belonging, emotions, trying new things, and becoming part of a classroom community. Books such as The Day You Begin, All Are Welcome, and Our Class Is a Family are great choices for starting these conversations.

What books help build classroom community?

Books that focus on friendship, kindness, inclusion, cooperation, and belonging can be especially helpful for building classroom community. Choose stories that give students opportunities to talk about how they want their classroom to feel and how they can treat one another. Reading and discussing these stories together can help establish a positive classroom culture from the very beginning.

What are some back-to-school read-aloud activities?

There are lots of simple ways to extend a back-to-school read-aloud. Try asking comprehension questions, having students turn and talk, discussing how characters are feeling, making connections to their own experiences, or creating a class chart based on the story. You can also follow up with a writing, drawing, or craft activity that lets students respond to the book in their own way.

What are good first day of school books?

For the first day of school, choose books that help students feel welcome and address some of the emotions that come with starting something new. Stories about making friends, being part of a group, trying new things, or feeling nervous about school can help students see that their feelings are normal and give you an easy way to start a conversation with the class.

What are book companions, and how can I use them?

Book companions are activities and resources designed to extend a story after you’ve read it with your students. They can include comprehension questions, vocabulary activities, writing prompts, crafts, and other literacy activities connected to the book. Using a book companion can make it easier to turn a favorite read-aloud into a meaningful literacy experience without having to create all of the activities yourself.

Back To School Companion Bundle

Love all three of these books? Book companions and activities for each are included in the back-to-school companion bundle by Proud to be Primary. Use the book companions to talk about feelings, back-to-school activities, new routines, and meeting new people. You’ll find crafts, writing activities, book chat cards, discussion ideas, and more!

You will love using these SEL read-aloud activities in your classroom!

• Our Class is a Family Read-Aloud Activities
• All are Welcome Read-Aloud Activities
• A Letter From Your Teacher Read-Aloud Activities

For a back to school themed book companion bundle, these books are for you. This bundle includes five books with writing activities, crafts, book chat cards, lessons, discussion ideas, and more! Kids will love getting settled into the new year with these inviting activities!

• Chrysanthemum Read-Aloud Activities
• First Day Jitters Read-Aloud Activities
• The Kissing Hand Read-Aloud Activities
• The Pigeon Has to go to School Read-Aloud Activities
• We Don’t Eat Our Classmates Read-Aloud Activities

Storytime and read-aloud activities are a great way to get students into the back-to-school mindset and help create the classroom community of your dreams.

If you like these resources, you’ll love my other SEL picture book companions!

More Back To School Ideas For The Classroom

Back-To-School Activities

Classroom Community

Social-Emotional Books

PIN for Later