In this post: A round-up of the best back to school themed picture books in Spanish! Help your child prepare for school with these beautiful titles.
It’s back-to-school season: new uniforms, backpacks, stationary supplies and great anticipation!
Whether your child is entering school for the first time, or a new grade level, it can be a nerve wracking time for them.
Meeting new teachers and friends and getting back into routines is exciting but can also cause an array of emotions.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The following Spanish back-to-school themed books will support your child both in:
>> Calming their nerves about the first day and separation anxiety
>> Making friends and learning about community
>> Encouraging cultural pride about their name, appearance and gifts
>> School routines and more!
Related Post: How to Add a Foreign Language to your Homeschooling
Table of Contents
Back to School Spanish Books about Separation Anxiety
I highly recommend this beautiful story about Chester the raccoon who needs his mommy’s reassurance as he prepares for his first day at school. This is the perfect book to support any child who is struggling with separation anxiety. I wish I had found it sooner!
Another beautiful and authentic story about a little boy who struggles with separation anxiety. His mommy tells him a secret that helps him cope and better understand why he has to be away from mommy for periods of time.
A little on the sad side, but also very endearing. This story is about the strong connection between a working mom and how, even though she is not always with her child, her love is always there.
Sarah is nervous about starting a new school where she won’t know anybody. Discover how her teachers calm her nerves~ a lovely book for the first day of school, with a twist ending you will not expect!
Mariposas en el primer dÃa de clases
Rosie is excited to start Kindergarten but as the day grows closer she starts feeling nervous. Her mom tells her she has butterflies in her belly. Discover how the butterflies are freed throughout her first day at school as she settles in and gains confidence.
Back to School Spanish Books about Cultural Pride & Self-Acceptance
Related Post: Hispanic Heritage Month Children’s Books
Yunito has a dilemma… a secret that he does not want his friends at school to uncover: He is bilingual. But he refuses to speak Spanish with his family. That is until his teacher changes his mindset and helps the class understand that bilingualism is a gift. When the secret comes out, Yunito discovers he is not the only child with this amazing gift!
Although not linked to school, I had to include this lovely book about Alma. She is curious about why her name is so long and so her Daddy shares her family history with her. It’s a beautiful story that celebrates family and generations before them that make her name so important.
René has two last names/ René tiene dos apellidos
When Miss Soria shortens René’s name, he feels sad. She doesn’t understand about the importance of both his last names and how it connects him to both sides of his family tree. So he decides to make a presentation to help his class understand.
This is a story about self-acceptance and learning to be you, even if you feel that you are different from your friends.
Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she soon discovers that her friends do not. So she decides to be like them and pretend to not like them. This turns into a very colorful problem!
Happy within/ Feliz por dentro
A celebration of diversity and uniqueness! This positive message shares how we should love ourselves as well as others: everyone is unique in their own way and we should be kind and accepting. From the color of our skin, to our hobbies and what brings us joy, we are all different and we should be happy and not compare ourselves.
Back to School Spanish Books about Routines
A beautiful and sturdy book about the school day. It starts with getting dressed for school and follows all the different activities in the typical school routine. Great for learning basic Spanish vocabulary about colors, lunch food, counting, shapes and more.
This is a great story about learning to follow rules in the classroom. Follow along as Abby has her first day at school, meets her new teacher and friends, and learns about the class rules.
Meet Doña Carmela, the Principal at The School of Manners (La escuela de buenas maneras). Follow along as the many different animals learn about manners, rules and friendship.
Little readers will help Rita the bunny pack her ‘mochila’ (backpack) ready for her first day at school. With lift the flaps and shopping lists, this interactive book will help your child learn about responsibility and routines in this ‘first experiences’ title. Great for younger kids.
A classic and much loved nursery rhyme! This Scholastic title is one of our favorite versions of this popular song The Wheels on the Bus.
For younger learners (ages 2-4), this little book has pop-ups and tells the tale of a little chick that wakes up late for school! Will he have time to complete his morning routine? It doesn’t have much text but the engaging pop ups make it a perfect title for younger children.
Back to School Spanish Books about Making Friends
Isabel and her colores go to school
An authentic story about how Spanish-speaking Isabel prepares for school. She doesn’t want to go because she knows they will speak English and she doesn’t connect with that language. This colorful story is an excellent mirror for ESL (English Second Language) students and also serves as a window for English dominant readers.
A teacher does far more than teach academics. This story nurtures the community aspect of being part of a class with values of inclusion, acceptance and kindness. I love that is focuses on the idea that mistakes are OK and not something to be ashamed of. It will help your child understand that everyone is learning together and everyone matters.
Una carta de tu maestra en el primer dÃa de escuela
By the same author, this story is told from the perspective of a teacher. It shares how the teacher welcomes her students into her classroom on their first day and instills the value that both academics and social and emotional wellbeing are priorities for her. I love that is nurtures this aspect of the role of a teacher.
It’s SofÃa’s first day at the bilingual school. She is nervous about what to say in the new language. Follow her story as she learns how to respond in different and typical school situations.
Back to School Spanish Translations from Popular Series
Another popular series, this time about Lola’s first day at school. This story will take your child through the routine of getting ready for school and all the fun events that happen there. It is a sweet, reassuring book to help children understand what to expect at school.
Si llevas un ratón a la escuela
Our favorite character is back with this edition about going to school in Spanish! If you take a mouse to school, he’ll ask you for your lunch box. When you give him your lunch box, he’ll want a sandwich to go in it… and you can imagine it doesn’t end there!
¿Cómo van a la escuela los dinosaurios?
A light hearted and silly board book about dinosaurs going to school. This will certainly have your younger readers laughing!
Keep Reading: Related Posts:
Preschool and Kindergarten Spanish Lessons
Supporting Biliteracy through Elementary Stories
Founder of the Llamitas Spanish® Curriculum and former Spanish teacher. Corrie holds a Masters in Spanish and Education and is raising bilingual children in San Diego, CA.