Parents, can you believe we are back to school next week! If your starting the class supply run, then you’ll need to add these books to the list, because nothing spells success like a good back to school kids book.

Please note:

Purchasing these books through the affiliate will be at no additional cost to you. The Buy Now link will take you to another website, Bookshop.org, where you can purchase the book.

Thank you for supporting Sheaf & Ink. – Cece

Image Description: The book cover of the children’s picture book Truman, features a young child with pigtails looking down at a small turtle.

Truman

by Jean Reidy (Author), Lucy Ruth Cummins (Illustrator)

Book Description

Truman the tortoise lives with his Sarah, high above the taxis and the trash trucks and the number eleven bus, which travels south. He never worries about the world below…until one day, when Sarah straps on a big backpack and does something Truman has never seen before. She boards the bus!

Truman waits for her to return.
He waits.
And waits.
And waits.
And when he can wait no longer, he knows what he must do.

Even if it seems…impossible!

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Image Description: The book cover of the children’s picture book Welcome to Our School has a diverse group of young children in a classroom together.

Welcome to Our Classroom! 

by Alexandra Penfold (Author), Suzanne Kaufman (Illustrator) 

Starting a new school year can be scary, but your teacher is here for you! Come along with the kids from the bestsellers All Are Welcome and Big Feelings as they learn to work together, try new things, and—with the support of their teacher—soar!

With an inspiring fold-out spread, this is the perfect gift for new students, and their teachers, with its lasting message: Someday you’ll come visit and tell me what’s new. I’ll always be your teacher, I love teaching you!

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Image Description: The book cover of the children’s picture book This Is a School a brick building with orange windows a large set of doors opening into the school and parents walking their children to school.

This is a School

by John Schu (Author), Veronica Miller Jamison (Illustrator)

A school isn’t just a building; it is all the people who work and learn together. It is a place for discovery and asking questions. A place for sharing, for helping, and for community. It is a place of hope and healing, even when that community can’t be together in the same room. John Schu, a librarian and former ambassador of school libraries for Scholastic, crafts a loving letter to schools and the people that make up the communities within in a picture book debut beautifully illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison.

NOTE: The BUY NOW button below will take you directly to Bookstore.org to purchase this book.

Image Description: The book cover of the children’s picture book Rescuing Mrs. Birdley a child swinging from a vine that’s wrapped around Mrs. Birdley who is holding a book and a tote with crayons and papers spilling out of it.

Rescuing Mrs. Birdley

by Aaron Reynolds (Author), Emma Reynolds (Illustrator) 

Miranda is an animal expert. Or at least, she watches a lot of Nature Joe. Nature Joe is incredible. He rescues animals, returning them to their natural habitat.

Mrs. Birdley is a teacher. The natural habitat of a teacher is a classroom.

So when Mrs. Birdley escapes school and ends up wild, loose, and confused at the local grocery store, Miranda knows just what to do: she must use her brain, her guts, and her extensive knowledge of Nature Joe to rescue Mrs. Birdley—at any cost!

This delightfully over-the-top picture book by newcomer Emma Reynolds explores the weirdness of seeing a teacher outside of school and will have young readers laughing out loud every time they read

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book All the ways we Learn three children sitting at a round table, the child with glasses has an abicis, the child in the middle has a fidget, and the child on the right has a book and headphones.

All the Ways We Learn

by Chloe Ito Ward (Author), Yaroslava Apollonova (Illustrator) 

Not every child learns by sitting still and staying quiet. Some kids learn by jumping and tapping their feet. Others by building, drawing, or making a joyful mess. However they learn, all kids deserve to feel proud of and confident in themselves! This book celebrates the many brilliant and beautiful ways kids take in the world, helping them feel seen, supported, and loved.

Created by a neurodivergent author and illustrator team, with back matter to learn more about neurodivergence and simple accommodations, this is an essential reminder that there’s no one right way to learn.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s book Story Rug, a group of five children sit in a circle working on sewing fabric together.

Story Rug

by Sophie Blackall (Author), Phoebe Wahl (Illustrator)

The children of Class 203 are learning to braid. They started with hair and shoelaces, and now the children have brought rags from home. Their braid gets longer and longer until one idea transforms it into an extraordinary surprise for their teacher.
 
Here is the story of a rag rug, woven through with the stories of the scraps used to create it and those told during its making. The result is a special handmade spot where the whole class can gather, ready for more stories.
 
This beguiling celebration of storytelling is woven through with an easy-to-learn and impressive craft project, including instructions, will have readers reaching for scraps to make their own rag rug.

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Image Description: The cover of the picture book We All Belong five animals and a speech bubble above the rabbit that reads We All Belong.

We All Belong

by Gianna Marino (Author, Illustrator)

One lonely day, Mule sees someone with ears like hers—could it be another mule? It’s a rabbit! But how delightful that they have the same ears! And Rabbit and Beaver have the same teeth! And Beaver and Duck have the same feet! But what happens when Bear is different from everyone else?

In this gorgeously illustrated and humorously told story, Gianna Marino celebrates our similarities and our differences while sharing a powerful message about community and friendship.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book In This Classroom four colorful children and their teacher in a classroom.

In This Classroom

by Andrew Hacket (Author), Arthur Lin (Illustrator)

In Andrew Hacket’s classroom manifesto, young readers are invited into a vibrant and supportive classroom where they can explore the beauty of making mistakes, embracing challenges, and celebrating unique differences.

This empowering picture book helps children understand that school is a place of opportunity, where they will learn from setbacks, support each other through difficulties, and ultimately grow in ways they never imagined. With whimsical illustrations and a message of perseverance and community, In This Classroom encourages every student to feel valued, confident, and excited about the endless possibilities a new school year brings.

This book is not just for students―it’s for teachers too, as it provides a framework for fostering a positive classroom environment where every child can thrive. Whether read at the beginning or end of the school year, In This Classroom is a heartfelt reminder that the journey of learning is a shared experience, and together, we can achieve greatness.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book The Pigeon HAS to Go To School! a yellow background and a speech bubble above the Pigeon that reads Come ON!

The Pigeon HAS to Go To School!

by Mo Willems (Author/Illustrator) 

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn’t like it? What if the teacher doesn’t like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?

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Image Description: The front cover of The Queen of Kindergarten is a young girl with colorful hair ties in her black hair awearing a crown.

The Queen of Kindergarten

by Derrick Barnes (Author), Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illustrator) 

MJ is more than ready for her first day of kindergarten! With her hair freshly braided and her mom’s special tiara on her head, she knows she’s going to rock kindergarten. But the tiara isn’t just for show—it also reminds her of all the good things she brings to the classroom, stuff like her kindness, friendliness, and impressive soccer skills, too! Like The King of Kindergarten, this is the perfect book to reinforce back-to-school excitement and build confidence in the newest students.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book A Not So Perfect Start is a little girl sitting at a round desk, drawing in her drawing pad, surrounded by balled up papers.

A Not So Perfect Start (The Caring Classroom, Book 1)

by Trudy Ludwig (Author), Maribel Lechuga (Illustrator)

It’s the first week of school, and Thea wants everything to be perfect. She’s determined not to make a single mistake—which leads to a lot of anxiety! When an art project disaster messes up her perfect week, Thea must make the best of an imperfect situation, with the help of her teacher and classmates. Turns out, a little mess is the perfect way to bring this caring classroom together!

From the renowned bullying expert who brought you The Invisible Boy comes a new series developed in partnership with kindergarten and early elementary teachers to encourage kindness and character growth in the classroom and beyond. Bright, inviting artwork from Maribel Lechuga brings the story to life, with a sprinkling of humor and heart on every page.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book The Koala Who Could a koala bear in a tree.

The Koala Who Could

by Rachel Bright (Author), Jim Field (Illustrator) 

You see, high-up was safe since he liked a slow pace,While the ground down below seemed a frightening place.Too fast and too loud and too big and too strange.Nope. Kevin preferred not to move or to change.Kevin the koala loves every day to be the same, where it’s snug and safe. But when change comes along, will Kevin embrace all the joys that come with trying something new?An inspiring rhyming read aloud by bestselling Love Monster creator Rachel Bright and Frog on a Log? illustrator Jim Field that empowers young readers to face change with courage and delight.

NOTE: The BUY NOW button below will take you directly to Bookstore.org to purchase this book.

Image Description: The front cover of the picture book A Day Off School by Oliver Jeffers, features a child in front of a television inside their house, a cast sit next to the child and outside the window are dinosaurs a pirate ship fireworks and a alien spaceship.

A Day Off School

by Oliver Jeffers (Author), Kevin Waldron (Illustrator) 

A hilarious picture book from the mind of #1 New York Times bestselling creator Oliver Jeffers, about what incredible things you might miss if you take the day off school . . .

A whole day off school! ALL TO HIMSELF!!

When Herbie has the sniffles, he stays home from school. It’s exciting to have time to play Space Blasters and watch cartoons. But by lunchtime, he wonders what fun he might be missing at school. What if there’s an extra playtime, a dog on the loose . . . or even A PIRATE INVASION?

A hilarious, action-packed story from globally bestselling picture book creator Oliver Jeffers and award-winning illustrator Kevin Waldron.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book Stubby has a short pencil with a paper background with doodles all over it.

Stubby: A Silly and Informational Picture Book about How a Pencil Is Made

by Sydra Mallery (Author), John Hare (Illustrator) 

It all started in a forest.

Before working hard in the classroom and being sharpened down to a stub, Stubby was a towering cedar tree in a forest far away. It hasn’t been easy for Stubby—he’s been sliced and chewed, made friends and lost them, and even spent three dusty days on the floor before being scooped up . Stubby describes each step of his journey from tree to pencil to writer from his own (very silly, very dramatic, very creative) point of view.

Sydra Mallery’s text is a testament to her many years as an elementary school teacher—it’s an engaging read aloud full of fun information, and sure to have kids on the edge of their seats. John Hare’s illustrations contribute even more comedy to Stubby’s arduous journey and shine a spotlight on vehicles and professions, how things are made, and the real-world

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Image Description: The front cover of the picture book Mi Escuela Is My School a child peeks out from a classroom door while students work on their classwork in the classroom.

Mi Escuela Is My School (Mi Mundo Is My World)

by Laurenne Sala (Author), Zara González Hoang (Illustrator) 

Meet under el gran árbol, where children rush to be first in line and say “buenos días” to all their teachers. File into the salón de clases, where the students sit at a big table to make cards and crafts. Follow the class to la biblioteca, where one child wishes she could spend a night in the cozy chairs, breathing in the magic of books, books, books! Whether it’s banging the bongos in la clase de música or shouting with joy en el recreo, enjoying lunch at la mesa del almuerzo or wielding paintbrushes in la clase de arte, a day en la escuela leaves kids tired and happy—and looking forward to another one mañana.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book Teachers in the Wild a jungle background with wild animals and teachers .

Teachers in the Wild

by Brad Davidson (Author), Rachel Más Davidson (Illustrator)

At some point, you’re bound to encounter your teacher in the wild. It’s okay to be excited, awkward, or just plain confused. After all, you’ve never seen them outside of school. But teachers are just like us—they go to the dentist, cheer at soccer games, and take their pets to the vet.
 
So, don’t panic! With these few simple, amusing strategies, you’ll be ready to handle any surprise teacher sightings like a pro.  
 
Husband and wife duo Brad Davidson and Rachel Más Davidson explore a hilariously familiar experience in this playful and quirky guide to navigating unexpected encounters with your teacher outside of their natural habitat. 

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book The Crayons Go Back to School a tape dispencer and three crayons ready for school.

The Crayons Go Back to School (The Crayons Celebrate)

by Drew Daywalt (Author), Oliver Jeffers (Illustrator) 

Purple Crayon loves math!
White Crayon loves reading!

The Crayons are getting ready to go back to school, and each crayon has a subject they’re looking forward to the most. They’re also ready to meet new friends . . . and let loose during their very favorite time of day: art class.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book Maple & Willow Apart a fall colored tree and a school bus with two sibling waving goodbye.

Maple & Willow Apart

by Lori Nichols (Author, Illustrator)

Funny, relatable sibling dynamics make this story a wonderful way to address navigating big changes. Lori Nichols’s expressive artwork beautifully portrays Maple and Willow’s strong bond, and children will love the creative, kid-powered solution.
 
Maple and Willow have always been inseparable. So what happens when Maple starts big-girl school and Willow stays behind? Well, of course, both girls have marvelous adventures of their own, but the truth is, they miss each other. And when they see that the missing is mutual, they find a unique way to feel connected even when they have to be apart.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book First Day Critter Jitters a bus full of anxious critters going to school

First Day Critter Jitters

by Jory John (Author), Liz Climo (Illustrator)

It’s almost the first day of school, and the animals are nervous. Sloth worries about getting there on time, snake can’t seem to get his backpack fastened onto his body, and bunny is afraid she’ll want to hop around instead of sitting still. When they all arrive at their classroom, though, they’re in for a surprise: Somebody else is nervous too. It’s their teacher, the armadillo! He has rolled in as a ball, and it takes him a while to relax and unfurl. But by the next day, the animals have all figured out how to help one another through their jitters. School isn’t so scary after all.

NOTE: The BUY NOW button below will take you directly to Bookstore.org to purchase this book.

Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book Your Name is a Song a mother holding out her hands and her daughter looking up to her with a city background behind them.

Your Name Is a Song

by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (Author), Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)

Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl’s mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their lyrical walk home through the city. Empowered by this newfound understanding, the young girl is ready to return the next day to share her knowledge with her class. Your Name is a Song is a celebration to remind all of us about the beauty, history, and magic behind names.

Your Name is a Song includes back matter perfect for parents, educators, caregivers, and young readers who want to learn more about the names featured in the story. The “Glossary of Names” lists each name’s meaning, origin, and pronunciation. Additionally, readers can use a listed link to access an online video of the author pronouncing all the names in the book.

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Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book Idea Jar a clear jar with different creature, people and a robot all trying to get out.

Idea Jar

by Adam Lehrhaupt (Author), Deb Pilutti (Illustrator) 

The idea jar is where students keep their ideas—anything from a Viking to a space robot to a giant dragon. These ideas can be combined to make new exciting stories. But watch out when the ideas escape the jar—they might get a little rowdy! Adam Lehrhaupt’s newest picture book is sure to inspire creativity, imagination, and adventure.

NOTE: The BUY NOW button below will take you directly to Bookstore.org to purchase this book.

Image Description: The front cover of the children’s picture book How to Get Your Octopus to School a worried looking cartoon octopus with school supplies in its tentaticles.

How to Get Your Octopus to School

by Becky Scharnhorst (Author), Jaclyn Sinquett (Illustrator) 

Getting your octopus to school won’t be easy. He would much rather stay home with you and play hide-and-seek or dress-up. But you know your octopus will love school if he gives it a chance. And you’ll tell him that . . . as soon as you can find him . . .

Reminiscent of If You Take a Mouse to School, get your little one ready for school with this silly and sweet back-to-school story. Perfect for any parent who has struggled to get their child ready for school in the morning! Includes an embellished list of octopus facts in the backmatter.

NOTE: The BUY NOW button below will take you directly to Bookstore.org to purchase this book.

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Image Description: A graphic with a collection of Back to School picture books featured in this post on white bookshelves with the text www.sheafandink.com on the bottom.

Welcome Reader!

I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!

– C

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