10 Books for Back to School Jitters
Help calm the school jitters with these 10 back to school jitter books for elementary students! Reading books about school is a fun and effective way to teach kids about what to expect at school, learn the routine, and even learn how to make friends and be kind. Here are a few we have enjoyed through the years!

First Day Jitters
Pirates Don’t Go to Kindergarten!
This book could be for both boys and girls! It’s about an adventurous girl named Emma who is about to start kindergarten. But Emma’s not so sure she’s ready for a new captain and crew. Especially since Cap’n Chu—the roughest, toughest, awesomest preschool cap’n ever—is right down the hall. So Emma decides to head back to the preschool ship to see if she can stir up a mutiny against kindergarten! Is that what she really wants? Or does she just miss her beloved Cap’n Chu? Batten down the hatches, mateys, because the first day of school is going to be stormy!
On the First Day of Kindergarten
Perfect for nervous/excited kids about to go to kindergarten (and their parents!). This engaging adaptation of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” convinces parents and children alike that there is no place cooler than a kindergarten classroom.
First Day Jitters
Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn't want to start over at a new school. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. This charming and familiar story will delight readers with its surprise ending.
Back to School with the Berenstain Bears
Go to School
Sister is nervous about starting school, so Mama takes her to meet the teacher. Finally, she's eager to go with Brother on the first day to begin her school adventure.
Report Card Trouble
Brother's involvement in school sports causes his grades to drop. After they ground him, Mama and Papa realize that supervising and supporting him is a far more constructive strategy.
The Night Before First Grade
It's the night before the Big Day-first grade! Penny is excited to start the year with her best friend right beside her in the same classroom. This humorous take on Clement C. Moores classic tale has a perfect twist ending that will surprise readers as well as the “heroine” of the story and help all about-to-be first-graders through their own back-to-school jitters.
Books for Positive Self Esteem
I Think, I am!
“Your thoughts create your life!” This is the message that Louise Hay has been teaching people throughout the world for more than 27 years. Now, children can learn and understand the powerful idea that they have control over their thoughts and words, and in turn, what happens in their life.
Unstoppable Me!
Following in the footsteps of Dr. Wayne Dyer’ first children’ book, the bestseller Incredible You! this work goes even further toward expressing Wayne’ positive message for children. In Unstoppable Me! Dr. Dyer teaches children how to hold on to the no-limit thinking he believes they were born with, rather than just trying to ” in.” In doing so, they can learn to truly enjoy life and become unstoppable as they strive to attain their dreams. The 10 important lessons in this book include the value of taking risks, dealing with stress and anxiety, and learning to enjoy each moment. Each point includes an example showing how a child might apply the concept in his or her everyday life. Similar to Incredible You! there are questions at the end of the book to help spark discussion and to further reinforce Wayne’ message.
Books about Being Kind
Kindness Starts with You
Follow Maddy through her day at school, where your child will learn how easy it can be to spread kindness!
From taking turns on the swing to including everyone in the game – this storybook shows that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
A lightbulb lesson of kindness is found on each page!
Kindness Counts
Brother Bear loves everything to do with model airplanes, whether it’s building, fixing, or flying them. But when he shares one of his prized planes with a younger cub will his kindness be returned?
