Best Beginning of Year Picture Books for Upper Elementary

Updated on 7-16-23 with more favorites!

One of the best first weeks of school activities is to read aloud to your students. The first week, especially, is unpredictable in terms of planning and knowing how long everything will take when your students are new to your classroom. Having plenty of picture books ready to go is a great use of time when you find yourself with a few minutes.

Besides being a great use of time, I find reading aloud helps bond our class together as a community. Reading books together and having a chance to discuss them builds verbal skills, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and empathy. Plus it’s just plain fun and relaxing. All kids love it, especially when the teacher is engaged and enthusiastic about the book being read.

Here are some of my favorite beginning of the year picture books. I’ve also included a suggestion for discussion with most of the books. This is not to say that you need to read every one of these books! Pick and choose what might fit you and your class, and what might be available.

Another disclaimer: I have included Amazon links to these books so that you can read the description for yourself. But please consider finding these books in your school or local library, or supporting your local independent bookstore if you choose to buy some books.

NERVES ON FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:

~First Day Jitters – a classic story for talking about feelings of nervousness at the beginning of the year

~Wemberly Worried – talk about nerves on the first days of school

~We Don’t Eat Our Classmates – another cute story for talking about first day nerves

~School’s First Day of School – another story about first day nerves, but told from the school’s perspective

~The Kissing Hand – a fun book about carrying your family’s love with you everywhere you go. Even upper elementary kids love this book!

~I Will Be Fierce! – an entertaining book about courage and confidence

~A Letter from Your Teacher on the First Day of School – this one is not exactly about nerves, but is great for introducing yourself and your hopes and dreams for the school year

~The Crayons Go Back to School – if you’re familiar with The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, you will love this book where the crayons share their excitement about going back to school

HOW WE TREAT EACH OTHER – BUILDING CLASSROOM COMMUNITY:

~The Day You Begin – a great book for highlighting individuality and looking for common ground. Have a good discussion about how it feels to be “different” from others, how we can help each other to feel like we all belong, how differences and uniqueness make a classroom community (and any community) better and stronger. I also use this book to talk about how we all have common needs, encouraging kids to look for similarities in addition to celebrating differences.

~The Colors of Us – talk about similarities and differences

~Each Kindness – talk about the importance of kindness and anti-bullying

~Mr. Peabody’s Apples – talk about gossip & the negative effects

~Ira Sleeps Over – talk about what we need to feel “safe” in our classroom.

~Amazing Grace – talk about believing in yourself; not discouraging others’ dreams or ideas; stereotypes about who can/cannot do certain things

~I Walk with Vanessa – talk about standing up for each other

~All Are Welcome – talk about inclusion and diversity

~The Rabbit Listened – talk about the importance of listening & being a friend

~The Teacher from the Black Lagoon – a good book to read before having students write about what they need from their teacher this year

~Do Unto Otters – talk about using good manners

~My Mouth is a Volcano – fun book about self-control, specifically with blurting!

~Being Frank – a fun book about how to not hurt feelings & the importance of being tactful

~One Green Apple – talk about ways we can include everyone and not allow anyone to feel like an “outsider” in our classroom

~Mr. Lincoln’s Way – talk about bullying & how differences make us special

~Lunch from Home – empathy for everyone’s culture and food choices

~When Charley Met Emma – friendship with differently-abled students

~How to Apologize – funny, yet practical lessons on what to do if we hurt someone

~All Because You Matter – everyone is valued and important

~This is a School – importance of school as a community (and discuss how your class is a community)

~More Than Fluff – cute story that makes the point about boundaries!

~Exclamation Mark – great story about being yourself

~The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family – another great story about pride in one’s culture

~What if Everybody Did That?, What if Everybody Said That?, and What if Everybody Thought That? – great books to use in preparation for developing rules or norms for the classroom

~I Didn’t Do My Homework Because . . . – a funny book about not making excuses!

~Mixed: A Colorful Story – a great book about tolerance and accepting differences

~Recess Queen – a fun story about bullying and conflict resolution

~Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll – a cute story about accepting differences and helping each other

~Sandwich Swap – a good story about tolerance, accepting differences, and the importance of friendship

~Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun – another good story about accepting differences and showing kindness

GROWTH MINDSET:

~The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes – talk about growth mindset

~Your Fantastic Elastic Brain – talk about growth mindset

~The Most Magnificent Thing – talk about how some things that seem to be mistakes can actually lead to something bigger and better

~The Magical Yet – talk about the power of yet!

~Mistakes That Worked and Accidents May Happen– talk about making mistakes and learning from them

~Everyone Can Learn Math – great for your first day of teaching math content!

~I’m Trying to Love Math – funny but it still makes the point about math being everywhere and ways that math is useful

IMPORTANCE OF NAMES:

~The Name Jar – talk about the importance of names and the importance of pronouncing each other’s names correctly

~Alma & How She Got Her Name – same discussion as The Name Jar, but this is a newer book and may be one that students have not heard before. This would also fit well with the name origin “Homework” with Chrysanthemum below.

~My Name is Sangoel – talk about the importance of names and the importance of of pronouncing everyone’s names correctly.

~Chrysanthemum – talk about bullying & the importance of names. Optional homework: find out how you were given your name and the meaning of your name if your family knows that information! Then share those stories in class. Please be aware that this could be a difficult activity for some students. Don’t require kids to share if they are uncomfortable.

~That’s Not My Name! – another great book about the importance of pronouncing names correctly

~Teach Us Your Name – embracing name diversity

HOPES, DREAMS & GOALS:

~Patchwork – this book will be my new favorite. It’s all about how we can be combinations of many different talents and skills, and that everyone is continuing to change and grow. (Available for pre-order but will not be released until August 30, 2022.)

~The Dot – talk about how you might “make a mark” – what are your hopes and dreams, both for this year and for the future?

~Miss Rumphius – talk about how you make the world more beautiful by being a teacher; ask students to talk with each other about some of their goals and dreams

~Ish – talk about believing in yourself & your dreams

~Only One You – talk about individuality and individual gifts

~Giant Steps to Change the World – talk about steps anyone can take to make the world a better place. It uses real-life examples, which is inspiring.

~What Do You Do with an Idea? – talk about the importance of acting on your ideas and turning them into something important

~What Do You Do With a Problem? – talk about not backing away from solving problems

~What Do You Do With a Chance? – talk about having courage and taking chances

~Ada Twist, Scientist – the importance of asking “why?” and not letting others deter you from trying

~Salt in His Shoes – talk about setting goals; good book for writing about student goals for the year

~The Bad Seed – talk about how to make positive changes in yourself

~Jabari Jumps – talk about having courage, overcoming fears and giving hard things a try

~Junkyard Wonders – talk about different gifts and supporting each other’s goals

~There Might Be Lobsters – talk about overcoming fears

~The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do – talk about facing & overcoming challenges

~31 Ways to Change the World – talk about the power you have to make positive changes

~Say Something – another great book for talking about ways of making the world a better place

~A Good Night for Mr. Coleman – a beautiful book based on a true story of a young girl determined to make a difference in a homeless man’s life

~Ida Always – a wonderful book about the power of love and carrying memories of our loved ones with us always. I keep this book handy as a great read-aloud if we hear about the loss of someone important (in our families or in the wider community)

~Superheroes Are Everywhere – written by Vice President Kamala Harris, this is a great story about how ordinary people can be heroes too.

SETTING UP READING WORKSHOP/READING BLOCK:

~Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind – great book for kicking off independent reading and reading workshop; talk about the importance of finding the right book

~Thank You, Mr. Falker – talk about challenges, bullying, the importance of teachers(!); good book for writing about reading memories & setting reading goals

~Aunt Chip & the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair – talk about the importance of reading

~A Quiet Place – talk about the importance of reading and of the need for quiet when settling in to read

~Biblioburro & That Book Woman – talk about value of libraries & how lucky we are to have access to books.

SETTING UP WRITING WORKSHOP/WRITING BLOCK:
~Author – talk about collecting ideas for writing

~Amelia’s Notebook – talk about keeping a notebook & using writing as a way think through your feelings; a funny book that makes this point without being “teacher-ish”

~Max’s Logbook – similar to the Amelia book, but about a boy who begins writing about science experiments, and moves on to writing about other topics; introduces topic of writing notebooks

~Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street – how to turn “nothing” observations into stories

~The Best Part of Me – students can write about themselves in the style of this wonderful book