I always start with a good picture book when I round up ideas for a new school year. Welcoming students back to school means gathering engaging content that teaches skills beyond academics. I’m talking social, emotional, etc. Good back to school books will always provide that and more!

The three picture books I’ll share will captivate your students, teach valuable social skills, and lay the perfect foundation for important reading strategies. That way you can seamlessly integrate key reading skills into your lesson plans during the first few weeks of school.

Disclosure: Affiliate links have been used in this post but I only share items I use and enjoy!

Back to School Books for Kids

Back to school books help set the tone for the school year, so getting them right is essential! Here’s a look at three books I love to use to introduce the year. We’ll go deeper into the skills I like to pair with each and how to use them effectively in a moment.

1. Rulers of the Playground by Joseph Kuefler
2. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
3. My School Stinks by Becky Sharnhorst

“Rulers of the Playground” and Story Retell

When considering which reading skills to teach at the beginning of the year, I focus on those that will lay a strong foundation. Retelling a story is critical for a student’s reading journey. 

By mastering the skill of retelling, students learn how to comprehend the elements of a story. Retelling includes understanding the characters, setting, and plot. It also helps students improve their listening and speaking skills as they articulate the sequence of events.

Rulers of the Playground is a fun and engaging picture book about two kids, Jonah and Lennox, who both decide they want to rule the playground. As they start taking over different areas, their friends feel left out and the playground isn’t so fun anymore. Eventually, Jonah and Lennox realize that sharing and playing together is way better than ruling alone. 

What I love about using this book for retelling a story is its relatability to students. The playground setting is something every child knows, making it easy for them to connect with the story.

And, the sequence of events is straightforward, making it simple for kids to retell. A skill that students will use throughout the year!

“The Invisible Boy” and Making Connections

Back to school picture books pair well with teaching students how to make deep connections. They can often relate to the nerves a new year brings or the relationships between classmates. 

Teaching students how to make connections while reading will help them develop a deep understanding of the text. They aren’t just looking at the story elements, but also evaluating the text based on their own experiences. 

The Invisible Boy has themes of kindness and inclusion which makes it easy to relate to. It’s a touching story about a boy named Brian who feels invisible at school. He’s quiet, and no one seems to notice him—not the teachers, not the other kids. Until Justin arrives and reaches out to him. 

Brian starts to feel seen and included. Through their friendship, Brian learns that even small acts of kindness can help someone feel valued and connected.

The truth is many students have felt left out or unnoticed at some point, making it easy for them to relate to Brian’s experience. The story encourages kids to think about how their actions affect others and the power of kindness in making someone feel included.

With this story, students make deep and meaningful connections with the characters. I like for students to go through the beginning, middle, and end (BME) of the story to identify connections as the character’s story develops.

“My School Stinks” and Story Elements/Problem & Solution

School-themed texts typically have a clear problem and solution scenario. Maximize instructional minutes by pulling in skills easily introduced through the read-aloud experience. 

As we introduce skills like story elements or problem and solution, we want books that share clear examples. 

My School Stinks is a highly engaging and entertaining story about Stuart who finds himself attending a new school full of wild animals. He has a BIG problem! At first, he’s worried that this school really stinks (literally!), but as he gets to know his animal classmates, he realizes they’re not so bad after all.

There are three reasons why I love this book for teaching problem and solution.

• The unusual school setting and funny situations make the story memorable and enjoyable for students. 
• The book has a clear beginning, middle, and end, making it easy to identify the main story elements. 
• Students are met with a relatable problem—starting a new school and making friends can be a challenge many students face, so they can easily connect with Stuart’s problem.

After reading, students can identify the key story elements—characters, setting, problem, and solution. Who are the characters? Where does the story take place? What problem does Stuart face, and how is it solved?

Back to school season unearths a variety of emotions that we try to keep at bay. These back to school books help reel it all in while providing engaging learning opportunities to explore those feelings through essential comprehension skills.

For more back to school reading inspiration, check out a few of my other favorite back to school books and directed drawings!

Don’t forget these Back to School Books and Reading Skills. Save the image below for later!