10 First Day Of School Read Alouds To Build Classroom Community

The first day of school sets the tone for your entire year. It’s a day full of nerves, excitement, and big emotions—for you and your students. Adding some first day of school read alouds to your lesson plans can be a great way to ease those first-day jitters, open up classroom conversations, and start building your classroom community from the very beginning.

We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite picture books for the first week of school. Each one includes a quick summary, how it can support your students at the beginning of the year, and how it ties into building a strong, connected classroom.

If you’d like to add any of these titles to your classroom library, just click on the image or book title to view it on Amazon.

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First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

Summary:

Sarah Jane is hiding under the covers on the first day of school. She’s nervous and doesn’t want to go. But the surprise ending reveals—she’s not a student… she’s the teacher.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

This is one of the most well-loved first day of school read alouds. This book shows your students that everyone—even their teacher—can feel nervous on the first day. It’s a relatable way to open up conversations about feelings and lets your class know it’s completely normal to feel a little unsure or shy.

Classroom Connection:

After reading, you can talk about what “jitters” feel like and what helps calm those feelings. It’s a great way to lead into classroom discussions, feelings check-ins, or getting-to-know-you activities.

First Day Jitters Book Companion

If you’re reading First Day Jitters, we’ve created a book companion that’s perfect for easing nerves and introducing classroom routines. Activities include a “Jitter Juice” recipe, feelings emoji check-ins, story elements work, and more. It’s available in printable and digital formats (Google Slides, Seesaw, and Boom Cards), so you can use it however it fits best into your first day of school lesson plans.

Take a look at the First Day Jitters Book Companion.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Summary:

This beautifully written story gently explores the feeling of being different and reminds students that everyone has a story worth sharing—and that opening up is how we find connection.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

This book is a powerful tool for helping you build empathy in your classroom. It supports the kind of classroom community where every student feels safe sharing who they are. It’s especially helpful for those kids who might be feeling nervous or unsure about finding their place.

Classroom Connection:

This is one of those great books to build classroom community. It creates space for students to share their experiences, learn about one another, and start building trust with their classmates right away. Try open-ended questions like:

“What makes you special or unique?”
“What’s something you love about your family or where you come from?”
“Have you ever felt different from others? What helped you feel more included?”
“What’s something important about who you are that you’d like your classmates to know?”
“How can we make sure everyone in our classroom community feels welcome?”

Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen

Summary:

This heartwarming book shows students that their classroom can be a second home—safe, welcoming, and supportive.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

It helps you send a clear message from the very first day: in this classroom, we take care of each other. When students feel that sense of belonging in your room, it helps ease first-day nerves and sets the tone for a kind, cooperative classroom community.

Classroom Connection:

After reading, create a class promise or list of ways your classroom will be like a family. Books like this make perfect first day of school read alouds because they lay the foundation for your behavior expectations and community building.

If you’re looking for more ways to strengthen your classroom community, here are some simple strategies for building classroom community you can start using on the first day of school.

All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

Summary:

With inclusive illustrations and rhythmic text, this book reminds students that everyone belongs in the classroom—no matter their background or ability.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

It helps you start important conversations in your classroom about diversity, respect, and inclusion. These are values that shape how your students treat one another from the very first day.

Classroom Connection:

Use this book to kick off a classroom display that celebrates each student—like a “We All Belong Here” bulletin board. You can also carry this theme throughout the year by featuring students individually—check out our [Student of the Week ideas] for simple ways to keep that sense of belonging going all year long.

School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex

Summary:

Told from the perspective of a brand-new school building who’s nervous about the first day of school, this clever story flips the perspective and adds humor to first-day nerves.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

This story opens the door to talking about feelings in a playful, safe way. Your students will laugh at the idea of a nervous school—but they’ll relate to those same first-day jitters. It’s a lighthearted picture book for the first week of school that helps your class feel more comfortable sharing how they feel, and a reminder that it’s okay to be nervous about something new. Starting your year with this kind of empathy builds trust from day one.

Classroom Connection:

Ask students to imagine what your classroom would say if it could talk. Create a class book or anchor chart of “What our classroom hopes for this year.”

A Letter from Your Teacher: On the First Day of School by Shannon Olsen

Summary:

Written as a letter from the teacher to the student, this book welcomes each child and shares the teacher’s hopes for the year.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

This book helps you set a warm, welcoming tone in your classroom from the very first day. It shows your students that they’re not just part of a class—they’re part of your class. It’s a meaningful way to let them know they’re seen, valued, and cared for, and it sets the foundation for the relationships you’ll build all year long.

Classroom Connection:

Pair this with a letter-writing activity—students can write a note back to their teacher or a letter to their future self for the end of the year.

Bonus idea: Pair with A Letter from Your Teacher on the Last Day of School to bookend your year.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems

Summary:

Pigeon is full of dramatic excuses and silly worries about school. It’s classic Mo Willems—funny, loud, and completely relatable.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

This is one of the most fun first day of school read alouds to use when you want a light, playful way to help your students face those first-day nerves. In your classroom, this story can remind kids that it’s completely normal to feel unsure—but school is also a place for learning, laughter, and making new friends.

Classroom Connection:

As a class, brainstorm some funny or silly “back to school” worries—like forgetting your backpack or getting lost on the way to lunch. Then, have students talk about how they could solve each problem together.

Butterflies on the First Day of School by Annie Silvestro

Summary:

Rosie feels nervous on her first day of school—but as she meets new classmates and begins to participate, the “butterflies” start to fade.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

This is one of our favorite read alouds that support social emotional learning. It helps your students put words to those big first-day feelings—and gives them the comfort of knowing those nerves won’t last forever. In your classroom, it can open the door to honest conversations about emotions and help you reassure your students that it’s okay to feel a little unsure.

Classroom Connection:

After reading, ask students what gives them “butterflies” and how they handle it. Use this to lead into a class calming strategies chart or discussion about their feelings.

Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds

Summary:

This empowering book encourages kids to be proud of who they are, follow their own path, and celebrate their individuality.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

This book sends such a powerful message for the very first day—especially for those students who feel unsure of where they fit in or whether they’ll belong. In your classroom, it’s a chance to show every child that who they are is accepted and celebrated.

Classroom Connection:

Use it to introduce your Student of the Week tradition, classroom portraits, or student goal-setting. These activities give your students a chance to share who they are and what makes them unique—helping you build a classroom where every student feels seen and valued.

David Goes to School by David Shannon

Summary:

David breaks all the rules in this funny, chaotic first day story. But in the end, he’s still part of the class.

How This Helps To Build Classroom Community:

Your students will love the humor in this book—it’s always a crowd-pleaser. But beyond the laughs, it gives you a fun, low-pressure way to start talking about classroom rules and expectations.

Classroom Connection:

After reading, create a “Do and Don’t” list with your class based on what David did. Use it to start your classroom rules discussion and involve students in deciding what kind of behavior helps everyone learn and feel safe. It’s a fun, interactive way to set expectations while keeping things light and engaging.

Why First Day Of School Read Alouds Matter

The first day of school brings a mix of nerves, excitement, and big emotions both for you and your students. Choosing the right first day of school read alouds gives your class something to connect over right away. It helps students feel more at ease, opens up meaningful conversations, and sets a positive tone for your routines and expectations. These books will help you start the year with confidence and give your students a strong, supportive first day in your classroom.

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