The Best Back to School Read Aloud Books

Oh how I love back to school books.  It's not easy finding the perfect book to read, especially if you are a brand new teacher.  Choosing the first book to read to your very first class is a big decision. Today I've picked my Top 12 Back to School Read Alouds to help you pick that perfect book for your first day.
Every year I pull out my box of back to school read aloud picture books and pick my favorites to read on the first day of school.  This box is full of the classics like Chicka, Chicka Boom Boom, Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, and Chrysanthemum. Then, there are a few newer favorites like, You're Finally Here, and Pete the Cat Rockin' in my School Shoes.  When I say newer, I'm referring to new as in the last 5-7 years or so, my Miss Bindergarten book was signed by the illustrator in 1998- so I've had it a few years.

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When choosing what books to read for the first few days, I try to pick a few that I think will grab my students attention.  Some of the books, although I really like, such as Chrysanthemum, might be too long for my class during the first few days.  We haven't established rules and procedures yet.  I won't know until I have read to them a few shorter stories first.

I usually start with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, or Miss Bindergarten.  Both books can usually hold their attention from beginning to end. I will then be able to determine what books to read next.

The Pete the Cat Rockin' in my School Shoes is a fun book to read before taking a school tour.  What is great about this book is it has the repetitive rhymes so the kids can join in with the reading.  Somehow they just magically join in without having to to be prompted.

As the week progresses I continue to read from my back to school book box.  So many of these books lend themselves to great lessons, teachable moments and the introduction of procedures.

Here are just some of my favorites...

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom-Alphabet introduction
• Pet the Cat- Colors
• Pete the Cat Rockin' in my School Shoes-Tour of the school
• Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten-Classroom tour
• The Kissing Hand-Missing Our Moms/Dads
• You're Finally Here-Teaches Patience
• The Recess Queen-Tattling, Kindness
• Too Much Glue- Great for introducing how to use glue
• My Best Friend is as Sharp as a Pencil- Great Way to introduce all the people at School
• Me First-Taking turns
• Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen- What listening looks like
• Chrysanthemum-Names are special

All of these with the exception of You're finally here can be purchased on Amazon.  I also added the link for the Pete puppet because the kids just go crazy for reading with him.

What are your favorite books to read on the first week back to school?  Please share your favorites in the comments below. I'm always looking to add to my collection.  A teacher can never have too many back-to-school favorite books to read.