{"id":2548,"date":"2025-08-28T15:50:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T15:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.scholastic.ca\/scholasticblog\/?p=2548"},"modified":"2025-11-03T21:29:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T21:29:21","slug":"first-day-ready-free-back-to-school-sign-top-book-picks-to-get-them-excited-for-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.scholastic.ca\/scholasticblog\/2025\/08\/28\/first-day-ready-free-back-to-school-sign-top-book-picks-to-get-them-excited-for-school\/","title":{"rendered":"First-Day Ready: Free Back-to-School Sign + Top Book Picks to Get Them Excited for School"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Books are the most essential school supplies! Stock your readers\u2019 backpacks with back-to-school books that tackle first-day jitters, build new-student excitement, and help them love learning all year round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to believe that it\u2019s back-to-school season already, but here we are \u2014 shopping for school supplies, getting ready to meet new teachers and classmates, and looking forward to a whole new school year full of learning and fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But while you\u2019re filling those backpacks, remember: books are just as essential as pens and pencils. A favourite book can be a comforting old friend, a door to new adventures, or a supplement to all those exciting academic skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Clifford\u2019s gentle lessons to Ms. Frizzle\u2019s wild science-filled journeys<\/strong><\/a>, to the magic and friendship of Harry Potter<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 stories shape kids into lifelong readers and thinkers. They build confidence, spark imagination, and teach children that they are never alone, even on the most challenging days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to pick your new favourite back to school books? Consider adding some of these fun reads to your kids\u2019 backpacks for the year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Favourite Characters Spark Excitement for the First Day of School<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Whether your child is a new student heading off to preschool or an experienced scholar going back to class for another year, the first day of school is exciting \u2014 and possibly, a little nerve-wracking. But the best thing about reading these stories is that they give kids a chance to rehearse scary (or thrilling) experiences in a safe, familiar way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stories to Soothe First-Day Jitters<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Do you have a big change coming up this year? Maybe your family moved over the summer, or your student is heading to a new school. Or perhaps it\u2019s something that\u2019s less earth-shaking but still takes some getting used to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever\u2019s going on in children\u2019s lives, there\u2019s a story to make the unfamiliar feel comfortable and put life in perspective. Reading stories about how other kids cope with change is like getting a chance to practice the hard stuff before (or while) they\u2019re going through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As any parent of littles knows, even small variations on the usual routine can be hard for kids to process. The bigger shifts that come with being a student \u2014 like having a new teacher each and every year! \u2014 are even trickier for many kindergarteners and early elementary students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids\u2019 favourite characters make the experience even more comforting. Follow along with Pigeon<\/strong><\/a>, Eva from the Owl Diaries<\/strong><\/a>, and Chester and his mom in The Kissing Hand<\/em><\/strong><\/a> as they navigate the first day of school, meet their teachers, and make friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, new school year nerves don\u2019t stop when kids get older. If your middle-schooler needs some support navigating transitions, check out Team Awkward#1: Jojo vs. Middle School<\/em><\/strong>,<\/a> featuring a sixth grader whose plans for a perfect first day go awry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Silly Books That Teach Serious Resilience Too!<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

You Need Pants<\/em><\/strong><\/a> <\/em>is a hilarious story about getting ready for the first day in a round-about way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes your classmates aren\u2019t what you expect. Gordon Korman\u2019s newest book Old School <\/em><\/strong><\/a>features Dexter, a twelve-year-old who is going on eighty! Dexter lives at The Pines Retirement Village with his grandmother. He’s been home-schooled by the residents since he was six ? until the day the truant officer shows up and announces that Dex has to go to the local public school. Poor Dex does not fit in at middle school. He gets along better with senior citizens than he does kids his own age. He dresses like a grandpa and his taste in movies and music is decades out of date. Dexter would do anything to get out of middle school and go back to his old life at The Pines. Will his wish come true?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Share Your Favourite Back-to-School Books!<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Download our free printable back-to-school signs below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n