20 Diverse Back to School Books

For some people back to school season starts the day after fourth of July and for others the school bell doesn’t ring until after Labor Day. In our neck of the woods back to school excitement is underway with just a handful of days until we put on uniforms and fresh mary janes and grab backpacks and sharpened pencils. So here are 20 of the coolest books to get your school engine revved up or establish some great first day of school vibes:

The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton from the power duo that brought us King of Kindergarten comes the much anticipated sequel about all the great things a queen brings to the classroom. Kindness, friendship and freshly braided hair. This book is a must have this back to school season! (I’m just a little sad my rising 1st grader didn’t have this at the start of last school year).
The World Needs More Purple Schools by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart The sequel to the fantastic NYT Bestseller The world Needs More Purple People does not disappoint. This time we find Penny Purple using her super compassion skills to create the school environment we all need.
KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day by Verra Ahiyya and Joey Chou we love following @thetututeacher on Instagram, so we were so excited to get this sweet read about a class that creates a kindness pledge. Bonus: the cover comes off and becomes a the kindness pledge poster!!!
Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome by Kat Zhang Starting a new school is hard but when you don’t speak the language it can be downright intimidating. Amy tries her best to welcome Lin the new Chinese student in her class but she’s going to need a little help from her family and some dumplings to make it extra special. You can also check out Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao and Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon
Abdul’s Story by Jamiliah Thompkins-Bigelow Writing doesn’t come naturally for everyone even if you’re a naturally gifted storyteller. Readers will learn the important lesson that mistakes are okay when putting pen to paper right along with Abdul. Tiffany Rose’s illustrations are a treat for the eyes.
The Girl with Big, Big Questions by Britney Winn Lee “Can I be president when I grow up?”, … a little girls endless questions encouraging curiosity and sparking imagination
Georgie Dupree: Classroom Confidence This sweet book embraces all the emotions a little girl named Georgia feels as school starts. The ups, the downs, the not so nice girls and the power that affirmations have to help you chart a course for your day. Of course I love that Georgie’s mom wears a red polka dot dress!
Lupe Lopez Rock Star Rules by e.E Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller Lupe Lopez walks into the first day of Kindergarten with, sunglasses, rockstar drum sticks (two taped up #2 pencils) , and a load of confidence. How does a rockstar navigate, classroom rules, respecting others, and making new friends? A book about being yourself and not the center of attention.
The Noisy Classroom by Angela Shante A little girl, leaving 2nd grade, has one wish for 3rd grade: to not end up in the noisy classroom. She is (of course) assigned the noisy class for 3rd grade and spends all summer worrying about the unfamiliar. What will the noisy class be like on the first day of 3rd grade?
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen A sweet book about building a family inside of the classroom. A place where it’s safe to be yourself and people accept you for who you are.
A + for adorable illustrations.
Isabel and Her Colores Go To School by Alexandra Alessandri “Al mal tiempo, buena cara.” Which means, “To bad times, a good face.” Isabel is starting a new english speaking school, English makes her think of blues and whites. She would rather stay home and speak Spanish, which feels warm and familiar and makes her think of pinks and oranges. A book about finding the good in the bad and learning there is more than one way to communicate.
School of Rock: The Classic Illustrated Storybook by Kim Smith A super fun illustrated version of the popular movie heavily adapted to fit it’s target audience of k-3rd grade. A down on his luck rockstar gets a job at a local school and a class of misfits into a rock band where they take to the stage at a music competition.

13. Sharing A Smile by Nikki Kramar Some kids and teachers will return to school with masks on. It’s not easy to communicate while wearing a mask but this adorable books shows how we can still share a smile, share love and community with those around us.

14. A Teacher Like You by Frank Murphy and Barbara Dan This book is the third in the series and would make a perfect first day of school gift! It’s a wonderful celebration of all the ways a teacher helps students to blossom each and every day.

15. Becoming Vanessa by Vanessa Brantley-Newton When you have your own style and a unique name starting a new school can be a little intimidating. Based on the author’s life, little Vanessa learns to spell and embrace her name and be herself unapologetically.

16. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson This books with Rafael Lopez’s gorgeous illustration style became an instant classic when it was released in 2018. A book about feeling different in a new space but having the courage to walk in and try something new.

17. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold The more we read books like this one to children the more children will learn that they are not the center of the universe, there are other people who look, act and talk differently and that is OKAY! A wonderfully inclusive book that embraces ALL kids in a school.

18. Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow One of my favorites! Your name is a song is the story of a little girl whose teacher mispronounces her name on the first day. She feels ashamed about her name until her mother explains the meaning of it and teaches her how to sing her name so that other people will be able to pronounce it easily.

19. You Matter by Christian Robinson One of my favorite illustrator, Christian Robinson, takes a crack at writing AND illustrating and does not disappoint. A feel good, inspirational book that let’s those that are small, tall, gassy and pesky know that they matter. Books that affirm and encourage should always have a place on classroom shelves.

20. What Happened to You by James Catchpole Don’t “Just ASK”, it’s not your business and could get really annoying to the person on the receiving end of the barrage of questions. The author speaks from experience in this bright, funny and smartly written story about a little boy with one leg who just wants to play with kids on the playground not talk about why he is the way he is.

21. The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes This book captured our hearts in 2019 and I was so excited it was the book that my daughter received from her teacher on the first day of Kindergarten. A little boy starts his first day of Kindergarten by dressing himself, eating a stack of pancakes and striding into his new classroom with the confidence of a king. What a super positive and super cute display of Black Boy Joy!

22. Kindness Makes Us Strong by Sophie Beer What is kindness? how can you be kind? How can you show kindness to others? A brightly illustrated and simple book about one of the best things you have in your classroom community.

23. I promise by Lebron James Inspired by Lebron James’ I Promise foundation this book inspires a diverse audience to strive for greatness. This giftable book shows kids that the greatness they will achieve tomorrow starts with the promises they make to themselves today.

24. The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi Every person is born with a YET by their side. Can’t tie your shoes YET! Don’t love your class YET! For every kid who is frustrated by all the things they can not do, this is a beautiful reminder to keep trying, that their time is coming.