First Week of School Read-Aloud Lineup: 20+ picture books to ease jitters, model expectations, and build community

Before I had my own kids, I was an elementary school teacher. I taught 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade, and my absolute favorite part of back-to-school lesson planning was curating the first week of school read aloud lineup. Regardless of the age of the students, I would use picture book read alouds to guide my first week lesson plans. And I’d like to note!: Across all the grade levels, the students loved the story times. I truly believe you can never be too old or too young for a picture book read aloud!

After all, the first week of school can set the tone for the entire year, and there’s no better way to build community, spark conversation, and soothe those first-day jitters than with a thoughtful picture book read-aloud.

So here are 20+ picture books to read aloud during the first week of school. I used several of these in my own classrooms, but many of the topics and recs have been updated with newer released titles that I’ve been loving.

Share in the comments below one of your favorite first-week-of-school read alouds, or one you are planning to read this year! Would love to know which ones to add to this list!

Read these Picture Books during the First Week of School to…

Find the Full List on Amazon | Bookshop, or click on the individual titles linked below:

Make every child feel accepted and welcome

Welcome to Our Classroom! by Alexandra Penfold | On the first day of school, a caring teacher welcomes a new class with reassurance, kindness, and encouragement. As students make friends, try new things, and grow together throughout the year, they discover that their teacher is always there to support them.

Help set classroom expectations and rules

Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules! by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo | Lupe Lopez arrives at kindergarten ready to rock with her drumsticks, sunglasses, and superstar rules. But her loud rhythm clashes with classroom expectations ~ and making fans isn’t as easy as she thought. As Lupe learns the value of friendship and teamwork, she discovers that being a true rock star means sharing the spotlight and following the rules.

Validate all names

Say My Name by Joanna Ho | Six children proudly share the stories behind their names, revealing the cultures, histories, and generations of love they carry. This picture book highlights the importance of learning and pronouncing names correctly, showing that saying someone's name with care is a meaningful way to honor their identity and heritage.

Encourage students to embrace differences and be unique

Simply Winnie by Winnie Harlow | Winnie can't wait to show off the colorful outfits she designed for the first day of school, but when she realizes she doesn't fit in with her classmates, her confidence begins to waver. With encouragement from her grandmother, Winnie learns to embrace what makes her unique and returns to school proud to express herself.

Ease First Day Jitters

Yeti is Not Ready for School by Leigh Anne Carter | Yeti has prepared for everything about her first day of monster school, except for the nervous butterflies in her stomach. As she worries about starting school, her dad reminds her that she's not the only one feeling anxious.

Celebrate and acknowledge all forms of intelligence and ways of learning

All the Ways We Learn by Chloe Ito Ward | This uplifting picture book celebrates the many ways children learn, showing that there's no single "right" way to explore, create, and grow. Created by a neurodivergent author and illustrator, it encourages kids to embrace their unique learning styles.

Honor different religions and cultures

Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali | Musa is nervous about his first day of school, unsure about making friends with classmates Moisés, Mo, and Kevin. But as the year unfolds, the boys discover each other’s favorite foods, holidays, and stories, building a bond through sharing and understanding.

Highlight and Celebrate all different forms of families

All Our Families Are Awesome by Charlotte Belliere | When a group of children plays "Families" on the playground, they discover that every family looks a little different. Through honest questions and open conversations, they learn about single-parent families, grandparents raising grandchildren, blended families, same-sex parents, and more.

Encourage teamwork and compromise

Collaboration Station by Shannon Olsen | Helps young learners navigate the challenges of working together by offering clear guidelines, playful rhymes, and vibrant illustrations. Teaches kids essential teamwork skills, encourages cooperation, and inspires them to be valuable members of any group.

Model Growth Mindset

A Not So Perfect Start by Trudy Ludwig | During the first week of school, Thea is determined to do everything perfectly. But the pressure to avoid mistakes leaves her feeling anxious. When an art project goes terribly wrong, her teacher and classmates help her see that mistakes are a natural part of learning.

Affirm and support shy students

Shy Robin and the First Day of School by Jaime Kim | Robin the hippo feels overwhelmed on her first day of school and would rather hide than join in. But when she notices another shy classmate struggling to introduce himself, Robin finds the courage to speak up and offer kindness.

Support making new friends

Schooltime Grumps by Katrina Moore | When Daisy starts a new school year without her usual friends in her class, she tries a little too hard to make new ones and accidentally causes frustration among her classmates. With encouragement from her Yeh-Yeh, Daisy learns the importance of empathy, apologizing, and repairing friendships.

Emphasize the importance of body boundaries and respect for personal space

Want a Hug? by Christine Babinec Ma LPC NCC | This empowering picture book introduces young children to the importance of boundaries, consent, and respecting personal choices. Children learn that they have the right to say yes or no, while also understanding the importance of listening to and honoring others’ feelings.

Provide tools to handle big feelings

Breathe, Bunny, Breathe by Laura Lavoie | Bunny has big feelings and sometimes struggles to manage his temper, but his mama teaches him helpful strategies to calm down and understand his emotions. From frustrating disappointments to overwhelming moments, Bunny learns that feelings are okay and that he has tools to handle them.

Model being open to different points of view

Meet Me in the Middle by Gary Vaynerchuk | A clever two-in-one flip-book that tells the same story from two different perspectives: Eager Eagle’s and Patient Pig’s. This engaging format helps young readers understand how people can see the same situation in different ways. Through empathy, problem solving, and compromise, the characters learn that success often comes when we meet each other in the middle.

Show the power of being kind (even when it’s hard)

Sometimes It’s Hard to Be Nice by Maggie. C. Rudd | Explores what it really means to be kind—even when it’s tough. Through everyday moments like sharing, helping family, and trying new things, this story shows that kindness takes practice, patience, and courage.

Model the importance of active listening and taking turns to speak

Ruby René Always Gets Her Way by Asley Iman | Ruby René loves sharing her ideas as the host of her school’s morning announcements, but she learns that sharing the spotlight can be just as important as having a voice. When she gains a new co-host, Ruby discovers the power of listening, collaboration, and finding balance in friendships.

Prepare students for safety drills

Teacher, Did You Hear the News? by Sanya Whittaker Gragg MSW | A first grader loves school but feels nervous about participating in school drills. With the help of his teacher, he learns that drills are an important part of staying safe and that practicing can make them feel less scary.

Build excitement for math and earning new things

I’m Trying to Love Math by Bethany Barton | For kids who think math is intimidating, this humorous picture book shows that math is everywhere: from music and space exploration to baking and everyday life. This book helps readers see math in a new way and shows how it can be creative, useful, and even fun.

Share the joy of reading through a fun read aloud

I Will Not Walk to School by Naseem Hrab | Monster loves school, but getting there is a different story! When Bird tries to convince Monster to leave for school, Monster comes up with every excuse not to walk, leading to a hilarious morning full of negotiation and big feelings.

Inspire students to believe in their potential and dream of possibilities

Where Do Possibilities Live? by Kobi Yamada | Invites readers to explore the endless possibilities that live within curiosity, creativity, and dreams. Through inspiring words and breathtaking illustrations, children journey through fantastical worlds filled with wonder and discover the power of imagination and the belief that anything is possible.

Foster an Inclusive Classroom Community

Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty | Encourages children to see the connections they share with others and recognize that we are more alike than different. Read this one to inspire empathy, kindness, and compassion, and to show young readers that even small acts of care can make a big difference.

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Here’s to raising our young readers and future leaders~

Happy Reading,

Maya

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