15 Terrific Books for First Graders
by Dena McMurdie
This fall will mark the second time I’ve sent a child off to first grade. Since I’ve done it once before, I know what to expect — but my rising first grader doesn’t. She’s waving goodbye to the coddled days of kindergarten and feeling nervous about first grade. She’ll have a new teacher and a new set of classmates. It will be more difficult academically, socially, and emotionally than kindergarten. In order for her to be ready to face the days ahead and make the most of her first “real” year of school, we’re reading these books for first graders.
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The Day You Begin
Available from:First grade can cause a significant amount of anxiety in children. Kids can feel nervous about venturing into a new classroom, meeting a new teacher, and making new friends. This gorgeous picture book celebrates the bravery it takes to get outside your comfort zone. It’s the perfect book to read before the first day of school.
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Sounds Like School Spirit
Available from:Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, this interactive book encourages children to feel proud of their school. It adds excitement to everyday activities using energetic chants and lively illustrations. Read it in your classroom or at bedtime to get your kids feeling pumped up about the school year.
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Theo Thesaurus
Available from:Kids make tremendous progress in their reading and vocabulary during first grade. Add some humor into the equation with this goofy story about a dinosaur who loves enormous words. Theo worries that his expansive vocabulary will make it difficult to make friends at his new school. However, as he gets to know the other dinos in his class, Theo realizes they have more in common than he thought.
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Hello World!
Available from:Entering first grade opens up an entire world of possibilities for young children. This upbeat picture book celebrates children’s milestones and the incredible people they meet along the way. Readers will learn about creating connections with their teachers, friends, and classmates as they take this significant step.
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Flubby Series
Available from:These delightful chapter books are fantastic for first graders to practice their reading. Based on the author’s actual pet, these books feature simple text, graphic novel-style panels, and engaging illustrations. They’re excellent books for helping new readers gain confidence and help them move toward independent reading.
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First Grade, Here I Come!
Available from:Fans of Kindergarten, Here I Come! will find this follow-up book reassuring. From losing teeth to figuring out spelling, kids will discover what to expect in the year ahead.
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A Narwhal and Jelly Book Series
Available from:When your young reader needs a story to stretch their reading abilities, this New York Times bestselling series is just the thing. Kids will eagerly dive under the waves to hang out with the ocean’s most popular duo and read stories bursting with humor, friendship, and adventure.
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The Worry Box
Available from:When my middle child went into first grade, she worried about everything! The school counselor recommended we read books like this one to help her cope. It’s about a young bear whose worries get the best of him. His older sister suggests he makes a box to keep his concerns safe while not allowing them to take over his life.
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How to Spot a Best Friend
Available from:The best part about first grade is making friends! This adorable story is about a little girl who knows what her best friend will be like (when she finds one). It’s an excellent story for kids who make friends quickly and those who need some extra encouragement.
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Luli and the Language of Tea
Available from:When Luli enters her classroom where no one speaks English, she finds a way to connect with her classmates. Tea! Despite the language barrier, children from all over the world bond over their shared love of tea in this delightful book for young readers.
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Lupe Lopez: Reading Rock Star!
Available from:Lupe Lopez is determined to become a Reading Rock Star, even though she has a lot to learn. As the first kindergartener to start a band at Hector P. Garcia Elementary School, she has the confidence to succeed. This story is an excellent resource for beginner readers who require a bit of encouragement, with its simple text featuring Spanish words and vibrant illustrations.
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Humphrey’s Tiny Tales Series
Available from:Humphrey’s Tiny Tales is my first grader’s favorite chapter book series. We’ve read the entire series together, and she can’t stop talking about the adorable classroom pet. Each book presents a new adventure where the hamster goes home for the weekend with a classmate. Humphrey has plenty of fun in store for growing readers, from scaring off “monsters” at a camp-out to assisting with a surprise birthday party.
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Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates
Available from:Learning how to get along with other people is an essential life skill, and children start learning it in first grade. This book shows children what introverts and extroverts are and how they’re different. Whether your child is super talkative or on the quiet side, they’ll relate to the furry friends in this story.
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A Pig, a Fox, and a Box
Available from:Kids love stories with humor and friendship, and this one delivers on both counts. It introduces readers to Fox and Pig and their misadventures together using plenty of sight words (and some unfamiliar words, too). It’s an excellent book for strengthening sight word skills and reading strategies. If your child likes this book, check out the rest of this series, A Pig, a Fox, and a Fox, and A Pig, a Fox, and Stinky Socks.
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Milk Goes to School
Available from:Is Milk the créme de la créme or is she spoiled? With her glittery new backpack in tow, Milk has to maneuver through her first day of school, relationships, and first impressions.
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The 12 Days of First Grade
Kids love reading books that reflect their personal experiences, and this picture book does that. It’s written in the same vein as "The 12 Days of Christmas" and explores the fun and exciting things that first grade has in store for your child. This rhyming picture book is a fantastic choice to read anytime during the school year.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2021.