Kids Picks
By Jennifer James Davenport
Summer may be behind us, but a fresh school year is full of new beginnings. Whether you’re excited for sharpened pencils and fresh starts, or counting down the days until the next break, these back-to-school reads will help you ease into the season.
Ages 3-5
“The Night Before Kindergarten” by Natasha Wing
Starting kindergarten is a big step, and this charming picture book captures all the anticipation leading up to that first day. Told in playful rhyme, it follows children as they pack their supplies, pose for first-day photos, and prepare for the moment they’ll say goodbye to their parents. While the nerves are real, the story gently shows that school is full of exciting discoveries, new friends, and plenty of fun. Bright, engaging illustrations by Julie Durrell bring the experience to life, making this a perfect read to ease jitters and celebrate one of childhood’s biggest milestones.
“We Don’t Eat Our Classmates” by Ryan T. Higgins
Penelope Rex is ready for her very first day of school, but there’s one little problem: Her new classmates look way too tasty. Making friends isn’t easy when you keep trying to snack on them! With laugh-out-loud humor and playful illustrations, Ryan T. Higgins turns first-day nerves into a wildly funny adventure. When Penelope learns what it feels like to be on the other end of the food chain, she discovers that friendship takes more than just showing up – it takes kindness, too.
Ages 6-8
“The Smart Cookie” by Jory John
In a bakery full of clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls, one cookie can’t help but feel like she’s just not smart enough. No matter how hard she tries, she doesn’t seem to measure up, until she discovers that creativity, confidence, and thinking outside the box might be the sweetest ingredients of all. With their signature humor and heart, Jory John and illustrator Pete Oswald deliver another delightful story in their bestselling series, reminding readers that there’s more than one way to shine.
“First Day Critter Jitters” by Jory John
The first day of school can be nerve-wracking for everyone. Sloth worries he’ll be too slow, Snake struggles with his backpack, and Bunny can’t imagine sitting still all day. Each critter has its own set of fears, but when they arrive, they discover they aren’t the only ones with jitters. Their teacher, Armadillo, is nervous, too! With warmth and humor, Jory John and illustrator Liz Climo deliver a reassuring story that reminds young readers that new beginnings feel a little less scary when we support one another.
Ages 9-12
“Snoop” by Gordon Korman
Carter never expected that one skiing mishap would leave him with two broken legs and nothing but time on his hands. Stuck at home, he stumbles onto the live feeds from local police cameras and soon watching them becomes his favorite pastime. At first, it’s just a way to keep boredom at bay, but the more Carter snoops, the more he uncovers things that don’t quite add up. What starts as innocent curiosity quickly spirals into something bigger, stranger, and much more dangerous than he imagined. With trademark humor, sharp twists, and plenty of middle-school mischief, Gordon Korman delivers another page-turner that keeps readers hooked until the very last reveal.
“Olivetti” by Allie Millington
Life isn’t easy for a typewriter, especially one that’s been forgotten. Once cherished by the Brindle family, Olivetti now sits unused, replaced by a shiny new computer and ignored by everyone except 12-year-old Ernest, a boy who prefers dictionaries to people. But Olivetti remembers everything ever typed on his keys, and when Beatrice Brindle mysteriously disappears, he knows he holds the clues to help find her. Breaking the sacred “typewriter code,” Olivetti begins typing back to Ernest, setting the unlikely pair on a quest through San Francisco filled with secrets, surprises, and even a few questionable choices.
