The Ultimate List of September Read Alouds
The month of September is filled with getting to know your students, celebrating the start of fall, and remembering 9/11. Use this list of September read alouds to plan your teaching for the month of September!
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September Read Alouds for the First Weeks of School
Although school starts in August, in some parts of the country, many districts don’t begin school until September! If you’re welcoming new students in September, check out these books to set expectations and build community during the first few weeks of school.
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold & Suzanne Kaufman
This is a story I read every year for the first day of school because it shows students that they are welcome in your classroom, no matter their background. I like to make banners with my students names and faces after we read this book, so that they know that this classroom is a safe place for them.
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
Reading this sweet book is a fantastic way to build classroom community! It shows students that their classroom is a place where they can be themselves and where it’s important to be a friend to others.
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
This book is perfect for teaching growth mindset. Gerald is a giraffe who can’t dance, no matter how hard he tries until one night when he finds his own special music. The message in this story is to keep trying! I love doing these companion activities with this book.
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett & Gary Rubenstein
In the story, Beatrice has never made a mistake. One day, she finally makes a big one in front of everyone. Beatrice learns that not only is it okay to make mistakes, but they actually make life more fun!
The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague
This story is about the people in our community and how they make ‘circles’ around us. This book teaches students that we all have a built-in community and it helps them make connections with one another. I love doing this simple craft to illustrate the circles around us.
Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung
This story teaches children to embrace their differences, promoting acceptance and unity. I also use this free reading response page after we read the story!
What If We Were All the Same! by C.M. Harris
No two people are the same, and this book celebrates the variety and diversity in our world. This is a great book to include during the back to school season.
You always need a friendship lesson in the first weeks of school. In this book, Stick rescues Stone from a situation with Pinecone and the pair become fast friends. Their new friendship is tested when Stick gets stuck and Stone must save him. These are some of my favorite book companion activities to go with this story!
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi
This is another great growth mindset book! We are all accompanied by an unseen companion, Yet, throughout our lives. When we discover we can’t do something, Yet is there to help us! This book teaches students to turn a negative into a positive!
Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christianne C. Jones
This is a great tool to teach children that although it’s fun to talk, it’s also important to practice listening. Lacey loves to talk, but when she loses her voice, she learns that it’s important to listen.
Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
This story about animals getting along teaches children the Golden Rule. It introduces the topic in a fun and funny way that will be memorable for children!
If you’re looking for more back to school books, I compiled a huge list in this blog post! It’s separated into different categories based on what topics you’re hoping to cover in the first few weeks of school. You can also find links to all of these books here.
September Read Alouds about Fall
The month of September has the first day of fall! This is a great month to teach about fall weather, leaves, apples, and acorns. Use these September read alouds to get your students excited about a new season!
There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed Some Leaves! by Lucille Colandro
This series is so fun! This time, the old lady is back and she’s swallowed some leaves, pumpkins, clothes, and a rope! I love to kick off fall with this silly book.
Although this book is about a tree dropping its leaves as autumn comes, there is a deeper message within. As you read about Little Tree holding on tight to his leaves, you learn that things change and that’s okay! This is a great book not only for fall, but also for students that may be struggling to adjust in a new environment.
The Biggest Apple Ever by Steven Kroll
Another school year has begun and a new contest along with it: the students must find the biggest apple. Clayton and Desmond must learn to work together to win the contest.
We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger
This book takes on the popular song, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” in a fall version. Three friends go on a fun leaf-finding adventure! What will they do with all the beautiful fall leaves that they find?
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming
Squirrel loves counting the leaves on his tree, but he discovers that one is missing! He teams up with his friend, Bird, to find the leaf thief.
Let It Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
The lovely illustrations in this book highlight the beauty of fall! The simple text draws your attention to the best parts of the season: apple picking, hayrides, leaf piles, and more!
Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
This book tells the story of a favorite fall pastime: apple and pumpkin picking. The little girl goes to a farm to pick apples and find the best pumpkin. Back at home, she carves the pumpkin and puts it outside to guard their home as her mom hands out red apples and she trick-or-treats with her dad.
A young bear is surprised by the falling leaves as he experiences his first autumn. He tries putting the leaves back, but it doesn’t work. Eventually he gets sleepy and takes a long nap. When he wakes up, it is spring!
How to Make Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman
It’s easy to make apple pie, but the market is closed! Instead, the world is our grocery store. This story takes readers around the world, collecting ingredients to make apple pie.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
Fletcher grows worried as leaves fall from his favorite tree, but then winter comes and brings with it a wonderful surprise!
You can find all of these September read alouds and more linked in one place! Just click the button below to find them.
Patriot Day Read Alouds
September 11th is Patriot Day, or Remembrance Day of 9/11. Here are some books that can help you teach about what happened on September 11th. Want links to all of these September read alouds? Click here
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman
In this true story, the John J. Harvey fireboat was once the shiniest, fastest boat around. However, as time passed, the city no longer needed fireboats and Harvey retired. Then in September 2001, Harvey was needed once again to battle the roaring flames.
14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy
This story recounts the beautiful gift from the Maasai people of Kenya after the September 11 attacks. The lovely illustrations and touching story offer the story of 9/11 through the eyes of others across the world.
This story is from the point of view of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks on September 11. Beginning with its planting in the 1970s, this book tells the story of the tree and a nation in recovery.
30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag by Amanda Davis
In the aftermath of 9/11, an American flag hung at Ground Zero, torn and tattered. It was soon taken down and placed in storage where it stayed for years. Nearly seven years later, the flag is brought out of storage so that it can be repaired. It was restored using pieces of retired flags from every state, traveling across the country before returning to the National September 11 Museum.
Want to get links to all of these September read alouds in one place? Click the button below to find them!
Hi, I’m Libby!
I’m so happy you’re here! I love all things first grade – the curriculum, the content, and the sweet kiddos. I’m passionate about helping K-2 teachers save time in the classroom with fresh ideas and fun, engaging resources.
