First day of school stories for kids — free, with illustrations

A superstitious boy named Barnaby spends his day trying to avoid bad omens and searching for lucky signs. When he forgets his favorite lucky charm on the day of a big test, he discovers that his own hard work and bravery are the real keys to his success.

Three sixth-grade friends discover a mysterious map hidden behind a loose brick in their school hallway. The map leads them to a secret, magical garden featuring a shimmering silver willow tree that offers them a peaceful escape from their busy school lives.

Three sixth-grade friends discover a hidden, magical garden behind a loose brick in their school, learning that the true magic of growing up lies in friendship and finding wonder in the world around them.

Carlota is a responsible seven-year-old who works hard at her school, Sansueña, and loves her supportive parents and her longtime caregiver, Nicole. Every weekend, she visits the Watson family to practice speaking English and play in their swimming pool with four delightful dogs named Sunny, Riley, India, and Mia.

Three sixth-grade friends discover a hidden, magical garden within their school, finding a secret sanctuary that celebrates the magic of friendship and the wonder of growing up.

Mike is nervous about his first day at a new city school until a friendly boy named Leo offers to show him around. After exploring the library, gym, and cafeteria, the tour ends with a hilarious blunder when Leo accidentally leads Mike into a janitor's closet.

A curious Amur leopard named Leo finds himself navigating the whimsical and fast-paced world of a middle school. Through math forests and cafeteria feasts, Leo learns that his unique traits are his greatest strengths in making new friends.

Fourteen-year-old best friends Leo and Maya navigate the challenges of high school by entering a science competition with a unique invention. When a sudden power outage strikes, their 'Resonant Compass' and unbreakable bond light the way for their classmates, proving that true friendship is the greatest guide of all.

Childhood friends Armando and Nubia are separated by their careers, with Armando becoming an architect in the city and Nubia an artist across the sea. Years later, a school reunion brings them back to the place they first met, proving that destiny and their emotional bond can bridge any distance.

Lulú the rag doll is proud of the tall tower she builds, but she becomes very frustrated when it crashes down. After taking a moment to handle her anger, she learns the importance of trying again and staying positive.

Leo is a high-energy boy on a mission to find his favorite sport. After trying soccer, basketball, and swimming, he finally discovers that gymnastics allows him to jump and tumble just the way he likes.

Leo struggles to draw his family for a school project until he realizes that every home on Oak Street is unique. Through observing his neighbors, he learns that while families come in all shapes and sizes, they are all held together by the same beautiful bond of love.

Oliver, a lover of rules, and Mia, a lover of chaos, are paired together for a school baking project. After a floury disaster, they learn that the secret to a great cake—and a great friendship—is a mix of patience, listening, and a lot of laughter.

Lily and Leo set a goal to become the top students in their school, but they must first defeat three villains: Sir Slump-a-Lot, The Pixel-Puzzler, and The Scroll-Spider. Through teamwork and determination, they overcome these distractions to achieve academic success.

On a snowy school morning, a boy named Leo must find his missing winter gear before the bus arrives. With the help of his clever dog Barnaby, he searches the house in a frantic and fun race against the clock.

Fourteen-year-old best friends Leo and Maya tackle the challenges of starting high school by entering a major science competition together. Through the process of building a miniature cardboard city, they learn that their shared history and mutual support are the strongest foundations they possess.

Benny the Bear and his animal friends spend a wonderful day at Forest School. They practice reading, writing, and playing together before enjoying a healthy snack.

On the first day of school at the vibrant Rainbow Ridge Elementary, Leo, Mia, and Sam introduce themselves using their favorite school supplies. They discover that by combining their unique strengths, they can create something beautiful and start a wonderful new friendship.

When a group of rowdy unhealthy treats tries to take over the school's Eatwell Plate, the resulting chaos leads to a literal food crash. To fix the mess, the healthy foods and the treats work together to design a new, balanced plate that teaches children about moderation and variety.

Mathew is nervous about starting school and finds a beautiful pencil on the floor. When he realizes it belongs to a sad classmate, he must choose between keeping it or being honest.

When a curious girl discovers a magical lamp, she learns the power of kindness and the importance of helping others, all while lighting up her village with warmth and joy.

When the ice cream van disappears from the school fair, the children of Kindergarten use teamwork and clever thinking to find it and save the day.

When a curious little girl discovers a magical snowflake, she learns the true meaning of kindness and the joy of sharing during the coldest days of winter.

A rainy day turns into an adventure when a kindergartener discovers the perfect puddle to jump in.