Rich, Simon, and Tom Toro, illustrator. Back to School, Backpack! Little, Brown, and Company. 2023. 978-0-316-62834-1. unpaged. $18.99. Grades PreK-2.

Backpack has a secret: the first day of school always makes him nervous. When he hears the words “Back to school!” the anxiety sets in. Author Simon Rich brings readers along on Backpack’s hilariously chaotic day. He gets strange new binders shoved down his throat, stuffed in a locker, and dragged up the steps. Throughout it all, he is basically naked! But even worse, Backpack feels like he doesn’t fit in anywhere or with anyone. When he meets another backpack, a new friendship forms. Things suddenly seem better when Backpack realizes that “you don’t have to carry everything alone.” Tom Toro’s illustrations are hand-drawn and painted in watercolor, then rendered digitally. Lively panels in shades of green and blue against neutral backgrounds draw the reader’s attention to Backpack’s worried eyes and unhappy mouth (it’s also a zipper). 

THOUGHTS: While the first day of school can be nerve-wracking for kids, it’s even scarier for backpacks! Readers will laugh out loud while embracing the message of finding a supportive friend in the midst of a brand new experience. Back to School, Backpack! is an exceptional all-ages choice for a back-to-school read aloud!

Picture Book