Books for the End of the School Year
The end of the school year is quickly approaching, and I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Books for the End of the School Year!
The end of the school year can be such a mix of emotions. Some kids are super excited to finish the school year, to do fun activities, and to have more time with family. Some kids may be sad, They’ll miss their teacher and classmates. They may feel emotional about leaving a familiar routine or classroom. And some may be anxious or nervous. They’re unsure about what the next grade will be like. Change can feel scary, especially if they don’t know their next teacher or classmates yet.
I’ve gathered my favorite books for the end of the school year, so hopefully you can find a few that you’d like to share with your class during the last couple of weeks of school that cover a lot of the feelings that they may have about the end of the school year.
Books for the End of the School Year
A Letter From Your Teacher: On the Last Day of School
Through a letter written from the teacher’s point of view, the class is invited to reflect back on memories made, connections formed, and challenges met. The letter expresses how proud their teacher is of them, and how much they will be missed. Students will also leave on that last day knowing that their teacher is cheering them on for all of the exciting things to come in the future.
What do teachers do for summer vacation?
Mrs. Hartwell’s students worry that their teacher will miss them while they are gone for the summer. The class comes up with a way to make sure Mrs. Hartwell won’t be too sad. But Mrs. Hartwell and the other teachers have some plans of their own.
This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. Will a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence be enough to help her learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence?
A great book to acknowledge how much your students have learned this year!
I also have a fun FREE printable smart cookie hat that you can have your students make after you read the book! You can grab that here.
And a snack idea along with a free printable to go along with the book here.
“I Wish You More” is a collection of sweet, opposites-based wishes shared from one person to another—possibly a parent, teacher, or friend to a child. Each page offers a new wish that’s full of optimism, kindness, and love. The phrases are simple but deeply meaningful.
The Night Before Summer Vacation
This fun, rhyming picture book is a playful take on The Night Before Christmas, but instead of getting ready for Santa, a family is getting ready for their big summer trip!
The story follows a young girl as she and her family pack for their vacation. Chaos and excitement take over the night before they leave—there are sleeping bags to roll, swimsuits to pack, and even the family dog tries to sneak into the luggage!
Of course, just like in real life, something goes hilariously wrong… they accidentally leave something important behind! But in the end, they fix the problem and finally hit the road, ready for a summer full of adventure.
This is a s a heartfelt picture book that serves as a loving farewell from a teacher to their students. It’s written in a gentle, poetic voice, celebrating all the little moments shared throughout the school year—learning, laughing, growing, and even the tough stuff.
The teacher expresses how proud and grateful they are to have taught the student, recognizing how special each child is. It’s emotional, uplifting, and full of appreciation for the unique bond between teacher and student.
Our Tree Named Steve is a touching story told through a letter from a father to his children, remembering a special tree—Steve—that stood in their yard. Steve wasn’t just a tree; he was part of the family’s everyday life and memories. From swinging on him to picnicking under him, Steve quietly watched the family grow. When a storm knocks Steve down, the family is sad, but they’ll always treasure the love and memories they shared with him.
This one will definitely make you tear up at the end!
Memory Jars is about a young girl named Freda who loves eating her grandma’s homemade preserved blueberries. When she finds out that preserving fruit helps it last forever, she has an idea: why stop at blueberries?
Freda decides to start preserving everything she loves so she can keep it forever—her favorite cookies, special moments, even her best friend! She starts filling jars with all kinds of memories and things she doesn’t want to lose.
But as her collection grows, she begins to realize that maybe some things are special because they don’t last forever. In the end, Freda learns an important lesson about holding on to memories without trying to freeze time.
No More Pencils, No More Books, No More Teachers Dirty Looks
It’s the last day of school!
Gilbert is excited about summer vacation. First, there’s a class party, and Mrs. Byrd will give out the end-of-the-year awards. But will Gilbert even get one? Patty’s the best speller. Philip’s the best reader. What is Gilbert best at?
What happens to seeds that don’t sprout? Fortunately, they have Miss Maple to look after them. Every year, she rescues orphan seeds, taking them to her cozy maple tree house. All winter long, she nurtures them and teaches them the ways of seeds and the paths by which they might find their new homes. And come spring, she sends them off to take root out in the wide world and to sprout into the wonderful plants she knows they’ll become.
Now that school is over, Wesley needs a summer project. He’s learned that each civilization needs a staple food crop, so he decides to sow a garden and start his own — civilization, that is. He turns over a plot of earth, and plants begin to grow. They soon tower above him and bear a curious-looking fruit. As Wesley experiments, he finds that the plant will provide food, clothing, shelter, and even recreation. It isn’t long before his neighbors and classmates develop more than an idle curiosity about Wesley — and exactly how he is spending his summer vacation.
In the book, the principal loves his school. He thinks it’s a “fine, fine school” with wonderful teachers, terrific students, and a lot of learning going on. He loves school so much that one day, he decides… there should be school on Saturdays!
Then he adds Sundays!
And then holidays!
And even summer vacation!
But as the school days pile up, one student, Tillie, starts to notice something important: with so much school, kids no longer have time to play, explore, or spend time with their families—or even teach their younger siblings things outside of class. So she bravely tells the principal.
And guess what? The principal listens! He realizes that learning happens in many ways, not just in classrooms, and decides to go back to regular school days. Everyone celebrates, and the school is still a fine, fine school—just with a better balance.
This is a gentle story about a caring teacher who tends to her “garden”—which is really her classroom full of students. Each year, she receives a new batch of “seeds” from the principal, and just like a gardener, she nurtures each one with love, patience, and care.
Some students grow quickly, others take more time, and each one blooms in their own special way. The story beautifully compares teaching to gardening, showing how important it is to help every child grow at their own pace.
Hope Is a Rainbow is a heartwarming picture book that explores the many shapes and feelings of hope. The story guides readers through moments of kindness, courage, joy, and love — showing how hope can shine through even in tough times.
Each page describes hope as something you can see, feel, and share—like a rainbow after a storm, a hug from a friend, or a dream you believe in. The message is simple but powerful: hope is always there, especially when we choose to look for it.
This book celebrates all the little signs that summer is approaching. With each page, the book paints a picture of the transition from school year to summer fun — from switching out boots for flip-flops, to hearing the jingle of the ice cream truck, to long bike rides and firefly-filled nights. A great read to transition from the end of the school year to summer.
A child takes a walk through nature, observing all the signs that spring is coming to an end and summer is beginning. As they wander through fields, forests, and neighborhoods, they greet the changing world around them, saying goodbye to cool breezes, blooming flowers, and migrating birds, and hello to warmer winds, growing vegetables, and buzzing bees. Each page highlights how plants, animals, and weather shift as one season fades and another begins.
If You Ever Want To Bring A Piano To The Beach, Don’t!
If your mom says to get ready to play at the beach, she means with a boat, a Frisbee, or a shovel. She is NOT talking about the piano. But Magnolia is a little girl with a big idea, determination, and one very heavy upright piano that, she insists, she needs to take with her. What’s the worst that can happen? In a riotous series of mishaps, Magnolia quickly learns that- not surprisingly–a piano doesn’t mix well with sand, sun, and seagulls!
I Knew You Could! is an encouraging, rhyming picture book told by a wise little train. It offers heartfelt advice about life’s journey — the ups, the downs, the turns, and the choices we all face. With each page, the train reminds readers that they are strong, capable, and never alone.
Be You! is a bright and inspiring picture book that encourages kids to embrace who they are and who they are becoming. Each page shares a powerful message—like “Be curious,” “Be brave,” and “Be your own work of art.” It celebrates individuality, creativity, and the beauty of being yourself.
Lizzie and the Last Day of School
Lizzie’s Last Day of School follows a young girl on her final day of first grade. She feels excited for summer but also a little sad to leave behind her classroom, teacher, and daily routine. Throughout the day, Lizzie reflects on all the things she’s learned and the fun she’s had. As a surprise, she leaves a special gift for her teacher—showing just how much the year meant to her.
Do Not Bring Your Dragon To The Last Day of School
In this hilarious story, kids are warned not to bring their dragons to the last day of school—because things might get a little wild! From disrupting classroom routines to causing chaos at the farewell party, dragons are just too big and fiery for such a special (and emotional) day. The book is full of silly rhymes, big laughs, and a sweet message about celebrating the end of the school year in the right way.
Hopefully you have been inspired with some new picture books to share with your class the last couple of weeks before the school year ends. Do you have any other favorites that you like to read to your class? Share with us below in the comments!
See you next time,
Jenette
