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Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building. Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building. Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building. Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building. Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building. Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building. Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building.

Back to School

Back to School

If you have kids heading back to school this month, you know it can be a time of anxiety and excitement. This collection of books will help your student get through those back-to-school jitters!

Cover of Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter. Young girl in a blouse and long skirt swinging on a tree swing, in front of a hill and a white school building.
Cover of Back to School, Backpack! by Simon Rich. The central figure is a green backpack, its zipper making a frowny face, holding on to closet doors and refusing to come out.
Cover of Back to School is Cool! by Jim Jenkins. Pinky Dinky Doo is on the right side, with a piece of chalk, and the words appear on the chalkboard. There also is a dog holding an index card with the author's name on it.
Cover of Louise The Big Cheese and the Back-to-School Smarty-Pants by Elise Primavera. Louise in standing in the center of the illustration, with a diploma over her head. Books with a globe on top are to her right, and books with a dog sitting on top are to her left.
Cover of Tiny Goes Back to School by Cari Meister. Large dog is surrounded by smaller dogs and a young child.
Cover of Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney. Llama's coat is halfway off/on, and he's wearing his backpack. His friend has his backpack on and is smiling.

Back to School by Wanda E. Brunstetter – Brunstetter is a popular Amish romance writer who also writes an adorable series of books for elementary school readers! In this book, Rachel is happy to be back in school, but not so happy that Orlie is there, making her life miserable. Kids will see themselves in Rachel as she tries to get along with a classmate that is just, well, ornery!
Back to School, Backpack! by Simon Rich – Going back to school is exciting, but it also can make you anxious. Backpack isn’t sure he’s ready for the crowded halls, scary bathrooms, and lonely cafeteria tables at school. Kids will identify with Backpack as he names some of the fears they have about school. This would be a great conversation-starter with your young child about their fears!
Back to School is Cool! by Jim Jenkins – This is an easy reader, so young readers will feel accomplished when they read this book to themselves. Pinky Dinky Doo’s little brother is nervous about school starting, so Pinky tells him about her worst hair day ever, which happened to be on picture day. Pinky’s reassuring words will help kids feel more comfortable about starting school.
Louise the Big Cheese and the Back-to-School Smarty-Pants by Elise Primavera – Louise wants to be the best this year, and make straight As. But she has the hardest, toughest teacher ever. Will that end her dreams to make the grade? This illustrated chapter book will delight students, whether they are overachievers like Louise or not!
Tiny Goes Back to School by Cari Meister – This Level 1 easy reader uses simple wording to tell a compelling story. Tiny the dog is having trouble obeying commands, like sit and come. Tiny’s family decides to send him back to school, but will Tiny ever learn? Kids who struggle with certain skills will identify with Tiny and be motivated to keep trying!
Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney – Llama Llama isn’t ready for summer to end – he’s loved backyard camping and picnics and time to play with his friends. He’s nervous about school starting again, but with the help of his momma and his friends, maybe it will be alright. This beloved character will make young kids feel understood if they’re nervous about school, too.

Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. You can reach her at madams@alamancelibraries.org.