After a pandemic year of at-home school, the start of school this year is going to be an especially big deal for almost all families whether they have a kindergartner, first grader, middle schooler, or high schooler. Therefore, posts for all of August and September will be about back-to-school issues.

Below are selections of back-to-school picture books with an idea about what each book has to say. (All available at your local public library or bookstores, including online stores.) Although these were written to prepare young children, there are insights to be gained by older children as well – even teens.

BACK TO SCHOOL TORTOISE by Lucy M. George

Your child might be worried about going back to school, but with a little bravery and staying on track everything can work out just fine.

MOM, IT’S MY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN by Hyewon Yum

Both mom and child may be worried those first few days of school, but the worry can come and go, and you can help each other through it.

VERA’S NEW SCHOOL by Vera Rosenberry

You can make new friends in surprising ways at your new school – even if the day starts out looking like you will have trouble making new friends.

ELLA by Carmella and Steven D’Amico

It can be scary to go to a new school, especially if you are a little different than the other students. But, by being kind, helpful, brave, and true to yourself you can convince even bullies that you are a good friend.

HOW DO DINOSAURS GO TO SCHOOL by Jane Yolen

Dinosaurs – always interesting and funny to children – show both good behavior at school and not-so-good behavior at school.

EMILY’S FIRST 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL by Rosemary Wells

Learning numbers can be fun.