The 20+ Best End of the Year Books for Kids of All Ages
As the school year ends, picking the best end-of-the-year preschool books is a great way to celebrate your child's achievements and create memories. Books can help mark this important milestone.
End-of-the-year school books show the feelings and experiences of this special period, giving kids a sense of closure and excitement for what comes next. Whether your child is moving up a grade or saying goodbye to preschool, these stories will engage and inspire them.
Picture books are great for helping young children understand the end of the school year. For older kids, chapter books help them transition to longer stories.
In this article, we’ve put together a book list of the best end-of-the-year books. From heartwarming tales to fun adventures, these selections will entertain and encourage a love of reading.
1. Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Oh, the Places You'll Go! is a beloved classic by Dr. Seuss that offers words of encouragement and inspiration to young readers. This fun book encourages children to embrace new adventures, overcome challenges, and believe in their abilities. It is a perfect gift for children to mark the end of each school year or embarking on a new journey.
Goodreads Rating: 4.37
Ages: 3+ years
2. The Wonderful Things You Will Be
The Wonderful Things You Will Be is a beautiful book that celebrates the endless possibilities and dreams of young children. With enchanting illustrations and lyrical prose, this book encourages children to embrace their unique qualities and follow their passions. It is a great read-aloud for parents and a reminder that each child has the power to make the world a better place.
Goodreads Rating: 4.43
Ages: 0-3 years
3. The Goodbye Book
The Goodbye Book is a great reminder that even though goodbyes can be hard, they’re also a natural part of life. This book covers a range of emotions that kindergarten students may feel as the school year comes to a close, including sadness, excitement, and uncertainty.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 2 - 4 years
4. Little Tree
For graduates, for their parents, for anyone facing change, here is a gorgeously illustrated and stunningly heartfelt ode to the challenges of growing up and letting go. A story of the seasons and stepping stones as poignant for parents as for their kids, from the creator of Otis the tractor and illustrator of Love by Matt de la Pena.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 3 - 6 years
5. See You Later, Alligator
A departing tortoise has his bags packed and is almost ready to set out on an adventure, but he can’t leave until he says good-bye to each of his animal friends. With each farewell, the tortoise’s good-byes get sillier and more creative. When will the good-byes end and the adventure begin? “Lovely book. My son is obsessed with the rhymes. My only complaint is that it now takes ages to leave the house as he has to go through all these rhymes!” - Amazon review by Clare S.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 2 - 5 years
6. A Letter From Your Teacher On the Last Day of School
From the author of Our Class is a Family, this heartfelt picture book shares a teacher’s thoughts and wishes on the last day of school. It follows the letter in A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School and is perfect for teachers to say a special goodbye to their students. The last page has a blank space for teachers to sign their names, making it a special keepsake for each student.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 6 - 9 years
7. I Wish You More
Whether celebrating special moments, giving encouragement, or enjoying everyday life, this sweet book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is for everyone! I Wish You More is a great gift for graduations or baby showers and brings positivity to all who read it. “Both the story and the drawing are wonderful. Every kid deserves this book.” - Verified Amazon review
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 6 - 9 years
8. A Letter to My Teacher
This funny, touching picture book celebrates the difference a good teacher can make. Written as a thank-you note to a special teacher from the student who never forgot her, this moving story makes a great classroom read-aloud, and a perfect back-to-school gift for students and teachers!
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 3 - 7 years
9. Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Last Day of School
Dragon loves parties and picnics and playgrounds and is ready to celebrate too. But is it smart to bring a dragon to the last day of school? Find out if Dragon gets to join in the fun in this hilarious picture book by Julie Gassman. “I was a mystery reader for my daughter's kindergarten class. They loved this great story. Nice shiny pages. Bold colors. Cute story.” - Amazon review by Shanna S.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 4 - 7 years
10. The Last Day of Kindergarten
A little girl is sad that kindergarten is coming to an end. She wishes it were the first day again, when everything was exciting and new and there was such a fun year ahead. But then she realizes that graduating is exciting, too, and maybe first grade won’t be so bad, after all! “I purchased two of these for my grandchildren graduating kindergarten. It's a short but sweet story. The illustrations are gorgeous! Your child will love this as much as the adults.” - Amazon review by Amazon Goddess
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 5 - 6 years
11. The Night Before Kindergarten Graduation
It's time to celebrate kindergarten graduation in Natasha Wing's best-selling series featuring rhyming text in the style of the classic Clement C. Moore holiday poem. Get ready for a major milestone: kindergarten graduation! Of course, there's a lot of preparation the night before as kids prepare for the momentous occasion. This perfect book is a great school-year follow-up to The Night Before Kindergarten!
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 5 - 6 years
12. Lizzie and the Last Day of School
This is a fun story for children who truly love school and don’t want the year to be over. It is a great way to discuss the anxiety some students feel about the last day of school, and not feeling ready for change at the end of the year. “I was the mystery reader at my daughters class and the kids loved this sorry! They were sad to leave Kindergarten but excited for the next grade.” - Amazon review by Maria S.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 5 - 7 years
13. The Year of Billy Miller
Award-winning, nationally bestselling author Kevin Henkes introduces second-grader Billy Miller in this fast-paced and funny story about friendship, sibling rivalry, and elementary school. The Year of Billy Miller is a wonderful book that follows a young boy named Billy as he navigates the ups and downs of second grade. This Newbery Honor Award Winner is full of humor and heart, and it’s a great way to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 7 - 8 years
14. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates
Though this is a story about the first day of school for Penelope Rex, it could be very well the last for classmate as she finds human friends so delicious! That is, until Penelope gets a taste of her own medicine and finds she may not be at the top of the food chain after all. . . . Readers will gobble up this hilarious new story from award-winning author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 3 - 6 years
15. Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the Last Day of Kindergarten
The bestselling Miss Bindergarten series comes to a sweet and jubilant conclusion by honoring an important passage: the last day of kindergarten. Filled with last-day classroom ideas, it's also a perfect gift to honor graduation and moving-up ceremonies. Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the Last Day of Kindergarten is the perfect way for a kindergarten teacher and students to commemorate their own end-of-the-year festivities.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 5 - 6 years
16. The Knowing Book
This picture book is a celebration of life and the perfect gift to mark any milestone, from first day jitters to graduation to end of the school year!. Illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell! In this inspiring story, a young rabbit travels through the wide world, experiencing joy and sorrow and wonder. Along the way he chooses a path and explores the unknown. And at the end of his journey, braver and more confident, he returns home—a place he can always count on
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
17. How I Spent My Summer Vacation
This fun book will get kids excited about their summer vacation! Most kids go to camp over the summer, or to Grandma's house, or maybe they're stuck at home. Not Wallace Bleff. He was supposed to visit his Aunt Fern. Instead, Wallace insists, he was carried off by cowboys and taught the ways of the West--from riding buckin' broncos to roping cattle. Here's a western fantasy with sparkling illustrations and enough action to knock kids' boots off!
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 4 - 10 years
18. Last Day, Hooray!
Four, three, two, ONE! The last day of school is finally here. For Ivy and her friends it's time to take down pictures, clean shelves and say good-bye. But there is also time for one last surprise. In this companion to "First Day, Horray!," Nancy Poydar perfectly captures the excitement and fun of the final day of school and the beginning of summer vacation.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 4 - 8 years
19. Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden
Join Mrs. Spitzer as she nurtures her garden of young students throughout the school year. This wonderful book emphasizes the growth and potential of each child, leaving a lasting impression on young readers. This beautiful story of Mrs Spritzer's garden will encourage children to blossom and thrive.
Goodreads Rating: 4.08
Ages: 3 - 6 years
20. The Last Day of School
The Last Day of School is a wonderful book that celebrates the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation. The book follows a group of students as they enjoy their last days of school and look forward to all the fun things they’ll do during the summer. “If you are an elementary school teacher...grades 2,3, or 4...you will love this book. It truly captures the essence of the last day of school and letting go and how everything you do, kids are internalizing.” - Amazon review by TD
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 7 - 10 years
21. Junie B. Jones is a Graduation Girl
Meet the world's funniest kindergartener, Junie B. Jones, as she gets ready to become the world's funniest first grader! Barbara Park’s #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty-five years.
Goodreads Rating: 4.9
Ages: 5 - 7 years
22. Last Day Blues
Join Mrs. Hartwell's class as they prepare for the last day of school. This sweet book captures the mixed emotions felt by both teachers and students as they say goodbye to a great year. It's a wonderful reminder of the fun and friendships that were formed throughout the school year. "Last Day Blues" is a sweet story that follows the adventures of a group of young animal students as they prepare for summer vacation. Written from the perspective of the school's janitor, this book captures the excitement and anticipation of the last day of school.
Goodreads Rating: 4.14
Ages: 6 - 8 years
In Closing:
As the school year ends, sharing these favorite read-alouds with your child is a great way to celebrate their achievements and make memories. From sweet stories about the last day of school to inspiring tales about being strong, these books are perfect for parents and kids to enjoy together.
Reading helps kids learn and sparks their imagination. By introducing your child to the joy of books, you're helping them develop a love for reading that will last a lifetime. So, choose a fun book, snuggle up, and enjoy a special reading time that celebrates the end of the school year!