Welcome to The Read Aloud Classroom where we’re making picture books work for you even with a packed schedule. Hi, I’m Sarah, an educator who believes in the power of read-alouds to transform your teaching without adding to our already full plates.
I’m so excited you’re joining me for another bonus summer episode! Today is extra special because we’re kicking off part one of our back-to-school book series. I know you’re probably already thinking about setting up your classroom and those first crucial weeks, so I wanted to share some fabulous newer picture books that will help you start the year off right.
Before we dive in, quick reminder that I’ll be sharing all the book covers, links, and resources over at thecolorfulapple.com. So no need to pull over if you’re listening in the car or stop your classroom setup if you’re listening while arranging desks! Just enjoy, and you can check out all the visuals later.
Today I’m focusing on books published in the last year or two that are perfect for those first weeks of school. Next week, I’ll share some tried-and-true classics that have stood the test of time in back-to-school season. And as always, I’m thinking about how these books can serve multiple purposes in your busy classroom.
Alright, let’s jump into these ten newer picture books that will make your back-to-school season even more magical!
First up is “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’s all about recognizing that each student brings their own unique strengths and experiences to make the class complete.
I love using this one during the first week because it opens up such meaningful conversations about how each student contributes something special to our classroom community. After reading, you can have students share what they bring to the class—maybe they’re a great listener, a helpful friend, or someone who asks thoughtful questions. It’s such a beautiful way to help students see that they all belong and have value right from day one!
Next on my list is “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.
This is such a game-changer for back-to-school because it sets up a growth mindset from the very beginning. We all know how important it is for students to feel safe making mistakes in our classrooms, and this book gives us the perfect language for that conversation. I love introducing the concept of “failabration” early on so students know that our classroom is a place where taking risks and learning from mistakes is not just okay—it’s celebrated! It completely changes the atmosphere when students aren’t afraid to try something challenging because they might get it wrong.
Up next is “That Always Happens Sometimes” by Kiley Frank. This book gives me a chuckle every time because it’s all about those contradictions and unexpected moments that happen in daily life. The title itself captures that perfectly, right?
Let’s be honest, no matter how much we plan those first weeks, something always goes sideways! This book is wonderful for helping students understand that routines might not go perfectly at first, and that’s completely normal. It opens up conversations about flexibility and resilience when things don’t go as planned. I’ve found it helps ease anxiety for those students who get really worried when the schedule changes or something unexpected happens. It’s a lighthearted way to say, “Hey, sometimes that always happens, and we can handle it together!”
“I’m Sorry You Got Mad” by Kyle Lukoff is next on my list. This gentle story explores understanding emotions and how to apologize meaningfully—not just saying sorry, but really understanding why someone is upset.
We all know those first weeks bring up all sorts of big feelings and inevitable conflicts as students adjust to new classmates and routines. I love using this book when establishing our classroom procedures around conflict resolution. It’s so much more effective to read a story that models these skills than to just tell students what to do when there’s a problem. Plus, the illustrations really help students identify and name their emotions, which is such an important skill for our little ones.
Moving on to “Touch the Sky” by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic. This inspiring story focuses on setting goals and persevering to reach them, even when challenges arise.
I don’t know about you, but I love having my students set goals for the year during the first week of school. This book provides the perfect launching point for that activity. It’s so uplifting and really sets a positive tone for growth mindset right from the start. After reading, you can have students write or draw their own “sky-high” goals for the year. I usually hang these up and revisit them at different points throughout the year. It’s such a powerful way to show progress!
“You’ve Got This” by Lindsay Bonilla is another gem for back-to-school. This confidence-boosting story is about trying new things and believing in yourself, even when you’re nervous or uncertain.
We all have those kiddos who walk in with butterflies in their stomachs on the first day, right? This book speaks directly to that back-to-school anxiety and reminds students that it’s normal to feel nervous about new experiences. I especially love using this with students who might be new to the school or moving up to a grade that feels like a big transition. The illustrations are so vibrant and joyful, and they really help lift the mood in those first days when everyone is adjusting.
Next up is “King Lion” by Emma Yarlett. This tale follows a lion who thinks leadership is all about being in charge, until he learns that being a good leader means listening to others and valuing their contributions.
This is such a great book for establishing classroom leadership roles and discussing what makes a good classroom citizen. In those first weeks, we’re really focusing on building our classroom community and setting expectations for how we treat each other. I like to use this story before introducing classroom jobs or responsibilities, as it opens up rich discussions about what leadership really means. It’s also a gentle way to address those students who might be a bit, shall we say, dominant in group settings!
“Overdue: The Misadventures of Bob the Book” by Gloria Koster is the perfect light-hearted story for introducing your classroom library procedures. It’s a humorous tale about library books and personal responsibility that kids really connect with.
I don’t know about you, but setting up my classroom library routines is always a priority in those first weeks. This book makes those conversations about book care and responsibility so much more engaging than just listing rules. After reading, we discuss our own classroom library procedures and create our book checkout system together. And let’s be honest, we all have those few students who need a little extra reminder about returning books, so this story comes in handy all year long!
“The Big Squeeze” by Molly Harris is one of my absolute favorites for managing big emotions. This touching story explores how sometimes feelings can become overwhelming—like a big squeeze—and it’s okay to need space to process them.
The beginning of the school year brings so many emotions for our students, and having language to talk about those feelings is crucial. This book provides such accessible vocabulary for emotional awareness and self-regulation. I love to pair this with creating a “calm corner” in the classroom where students can go when they’re feeling that “big squeeze.” It sets the foundation for emotional intelligence that will serve them all year long.
And finally, “Ruby Renee Has So Much to Say” by Briana McDonald, illustrated by Brittany E. Morris. Oh, we all know a Ruby Renee, don’t we? This enthusiastic student has so much to share that she sometimes forgets the importance of listening too.
This book is absolutely perfect for establishing those whole group discussion norms in the first weeks of school. It helps students understand the balance between sharing their ideas and making space for others to contribute. I use it before introducing turn-taking strategies like talking sticks or partner discussions. It’s especially helpful for those energetic students who have their hands up before you’ve even finished asking the question!
Whew! Those are my ten newer picture books that are perfect for back-to-school. I hope you’ve found at least a few that you’re excited to add to your classroom collection!
Next week, I’ll be sharing some classic back-to-school titles that have stood the test of time, so be sure to tune in for part two of this series.
Remember, you can find all these books with their covers and links over at thecolorfulapple.com. And I’d love to hear which ones resonated with you! Send me a message on Instagram @thecolorfulapple and let me know which books you plan to use or if you have other back-to-school favorites.
If you found today’s episode helpful, I’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. This helps other teachers find our little community here in The Read Aloud Classroom.
Thank you for joining me today! I know how precious your summer days are, and I’m honored that you spent a few minutes with me. Come connect with me on Instagram @thecolorfulapple, and I can’t wait to see you next week for part two of our back-to-school book recommendations!
