The first weeks of school are magical, but they can also feel overwhelming. Between setting up classroom routines, getting to know your students, and establishing that sense of community you’re hoping for, it’s easy to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. What if the perfect picture books could help you accomplish multiple goals at once—building classroom culture, teaching essential social-emotional skills, and creating those meaningful connections that set the tone for an incredible year?
Picture books have always been powerful tools for elementary teachers, but choosing the right ones for those crucial first weeks can make all the difference. The books you select during this time don’t just entertain; they become the foundation for classroom discussions, behavior expectations, and the inclusive community you want to create.
I’ve curated a collection of 10 newer picture books—all published within the last two years—that are specifically chosen to support you during back-to-school season. Each of these titles addresses key areas that matter most in those early weeks: building classroom community, managing emotions, establishing procedures, and helping students feel confident and valued.
Why These Books Matter for Back-to-School
The beginning of the school year brings unique challenges and opportunities. Students arrive with different backgrounds, experiences, and comfort levels. Some are excited and eager to share, while others feel nervous or uncertain about new routines and relationships. The picture books you choose during this time serve as bridges—connecting students to each other, to classroom expectations, and to the learning environment you’re creating together.
These carefully selected titles go beyond simple entertainment. They provide natural opportunities for meaningful discussions about diversity, emotional regulation, collaboration, and personal responsibility. More importantly, they help you establish the values and culture that will guide your classroom throughout the entire year.
Building Classroom Community Through Literature
We Are a Class by Rob Sanders
This wonderful book celebrates the idea that a classroom is made up of many different individuals who come together to form one amazing learning community. It recognizes that each student brings their own unique strengths, experiences, and perspectives to make the class complete.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: This book opens meaningful conversations about how each student contributes something special to your classroom community. It helps students understand that belonging isn’t just about being present—it’s about being an active, valued member of the group.
Classroom connection: After reading, have students share what they bring to the class—perhaps they’re a great listener, a helpful friend, or someone who asks thoughtful questions. Create a class book or display where each student’s contribution is highlighted, reinforcing that everyone has value and belongs.
Failabration by Brad Montague
This fantastic book reframes failure as something to celebrate rather than fear, showing how mistakes and setbacks are actually important parts of learning and growing. It introduces the concept of a “failabration”—celebrating the learning that comes from things not going as planned.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: This book sets up a growth mindset from the very beginning of the year. It creates a classroom culture where students feel safe taking risks and aren’t afraid to make mistakes because they understand that errors are part of the learning process.
Classroom connection: Introduce the concept of “failabration” early on so students know your classroom is a place where taking risks and learning from mistakes is not just acceptable—it’s celebrated. Consider creating a “failabration” wall where students can share what they learned from mistakes throughout the year.
Supporting Social-Emotional Learning
That Always Happens Sometimes by Kiley Frank
This humorous book explores the contradictions and unexpected moments that happen in daily life, using playful language and situations that will make students giggle while learning about flexibility and resilience.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: No matter how carefully you plan those first weeks, something unexpected will happen. This book helps students understand that routines might not always go perfectly, and that’s completely normal and manageable.
Classroom connection: Use this story to ease anxiety for students who worry when schedules change or unexpected things happen. It’s a lighthearted way to establish that flexibility and adaptability are important classroom skills.
I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff
This gentle story explores understanding emotions and learning how to apologize meaningfully—going beyond just saying the words to truly understanding why someone might be upset and how to make things right.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: The first weeks of school inevitably bring conflicts as students adjust to new classmates, routines, and expectations. This book provides a foundation for meaningful conflict resolution and emotional understanding.
Classroom connection: Establish your classroom procedures around problem-solving and conflict resolution by reading this story and discussing what genuine apologies look like. The illustrations help students identify and name emotions, which is crucial for developing emotional intelligence.
The Big Squeeze by Molly Harris
This touching story explores how feelings can sometimes become overwhelming—like experiencing a “big squeeze”—and teaches that it’s perfectly okay to need space to process emotions and calm down.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: The beginning of the school year brings many emotions for students. Having accessible language to talk about these feelings and strategies for managing them is essential for creating a supportive classroom environment.
Classroom connection: This book provides excellent vocabulary for emotional awareness and self-regulation. Consider pairing it with creating a calm corner in your classroom where students can go when they’re feeling overwhelmed or need space to process their emotions.
Building Confidence and Growth Mindset
Touch the Sky by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic
This inspiring story focuses on setting ambitious goals and persevering to reach them, even when challenges and setbacks arise along the way.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: Goal-setting during the first week of school helps students develop ownership of their learning and establishes a growth mindset from the very beginning of the year.
Classroom connection: Use this book as a launching point for having students set their own “sky-high” goals for the year. Create a display where these goals can be revisited throughout the year to celebrate progress and growth.
You’ve Got This by Lindsay Bonilla
This confidence-boosting story addresses the nervousness that comes with trying new things and reminds readers that believing in yourself is the first step toward success.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: Many students walk into your classroom with butterflies in their stomachs, especially those who are new to the school or transitioning to a grade that feels like a big step up.
Classroom connection: This book speaks directly to back-to-school anxiety and validates that feeling nervous about new experiences is completely normal. It’s particularly powerful for building confidence in students who might be hesitant to participate or try new things.
Teaching Leadership and Responsibility
King Lion by Emma Yarlett
This engaging tale follows a lion who initially believes leadership is about being in charge and giving orders, until he discovers that true leadership involves listening to others and valuing everyone’s contributions to the group.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: The first weeks of school are when you establish expectations for how students treat each other and what it means to be a good classroom citizen and leader.
Classroom connection: Use this story before introducing classroom jobs or leadership roles. It opens rich discussions about what real leadership looks like and helps address students who might be overly dominant in group settings.
Overdue: The Misadventures of Bob the Book by Gloria Koster
This humorous story about library books and personal responsibility provides a lighthearted way to discuss taking care of classroom materials and following through on commitments.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: Establishing classroom library procedures and teaching students about responsibility for shared materials is always a priority during the first weeks of school.
Classroom connection: This engaging story makes conversations about book care and responsibility much more memorable than simply listing rules. Use it as a foundation for creating your classroom library procedures together.
Fostering Inclusive Participation
Ruby Renee Had So Much to Say by Ashley Iman
This delightful story features an enthusiastic student who loves to share her ideas and experiences but gradually learns the importance of listening and making space for others to contribute to discussions.
Why it’s perfect for back-to-school: Establishing norms for whole group discussions and balanced participation is crucial during the first weeks of school, especially when you have eager students who want to share everything on their minds.
Classroom connection: Use this book before introducing turn-taking strategies, discussion protocols, or classroom meeting procedures. It helps students understand the balance between sharing their ideas and creating opportunities for others to contribute.
Making the Most of These Books
Each of these picture books serves multiple purposes in your back-to-school toolkit. They’re not just stories to read—they’re conversation starters, community builders, and foundation-setters for the classroom culture you want to create. The key is to approach them strategically, thinking about which messages your students need most and when they need to hear them.
Consider spreading these reads across your first few weeks rather than trying to fit them all into the first days. Some work beautifully for day one, while others might be more powerful after students have had a chance to settle in and you’ve observed their individual needs and classroom dynamics.
Remember that the conversations following these books are just as important as the stories themselves. Give students time to process, discuss, and connect the messages to their own experiences and your classroom expectations.
Creating Lasting Impact
The picture books you choose for back-to-school become part of your classroom’s shared language and experience throughout the year. Students will reference these stories when conflicts arise, when they need to remember classroom procedures, or when they’re facing challenges that require perseverance or emotional regulation.
These 10 newer titles offer fresh perspectives on timeless themes that matter most during those crucial first weeks. They help you build the foundation for a classroom community where every student feels valued, heard, and ready to learn.
Whether you’re a veteran teacher looking for new additions to your back-to-school collection or a newer educator building your classroom library, these books will serve you well in creating the warm, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that both you and your students deserve.
