Back to School, Backpack!

by Simon Rich, Tom Toro (Contributor)

You think YOU'RE anxious about the first day of school? Imagine how your backpack feels!

In this hilarious yet reassuring back-to-school picture book, a backpack deals with first-day-of-school nerves and feeling out of place. Filled with crowded hallways, lonely cafeteria tables, toilet stalls, and the signature existential angst of Simon Rich, this fun read-aloud will have kids braving classrooms with a smile (and maybe taking better care of their trusty backpacks...).

Genres: Picture Books, School, Back To School, Childrens, Storytime, Humor, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 11, 2023

About the author

Simon Rich (born 1984) is an American humorist whose first book, Ant Farm and Other Desperate Situations, was published by Random House in April 2007.

Rich is an alumnus of The Dalton School and a former president of The Harvard Lampoon, and the son of The New York Times editorialist Frank Rich. He received a two book contract from Random House prior to his graduation from Harvard University in 2007.

His first book, Ant Farm and Other Desperate Situations, has been described as a collection of "giddy what-if scenarios". Excerpts of the book were printed in The New Yorker's "Shouts and Murmurs" column. His second book, Free Range Chickens, was published in 2008. His first novel, Elliot Allagash was released in May of 2010, followed by What in God’s Name and most recently, The Last Girlfriend on Earth, a collection of short stories about love.

He is currently a writer for Saturday Night Live.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

You read the story in the backpack's point of view which is very interesting! I never thought of a backpack as its own character and how we shove books down its throat. Bit humorous, but also a nice book for kids who are nervous about their first day of school. Even though it's the backpack's story, there's another story which is about the owner of the backpack told through the illustrations. Great ending of the backpack finding another backpack to bond with, as did the owner who makes a friend with the other backpack's owner.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly, yet affirming. From the first double spread with bold white letters on dark black pages -- "Can I tell you a secret? The first day of school always makes me nervous." I was in. This would work great as a read aloud, and will immediately draw readers in. Some of the body horror -- books shoved down backpack's throat -- were a little weird if you think too long, but are mostly just funny. Made all the funnier by a hilariously emotive backpack.

Being nervous to go back to school is normal, even backpacks get a little scared.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first day of school is just around the corner - and you may be feeling a bit nervous. But have you ever thought how your backpack feels? This is a slightly different take on the first day of school - told from the perspective of a backpack. All about that first day when you feel kind of alone - until you meet someone who might just like the same things you do!

[Lauren Bosshammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though not as laugh-out-loud funny as I'm Terrified of Bath Time, this was another great release by Rich and Toro. This would be a great read aloud for the start of the school year, and for kids who are nervous about starting school. The ending is sweet.

I hope to see many more picture books by this author/illustrator duo!

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A humorous back-to-school story told through the viewpoint of a backpack. I felt like it tried too hard for laughs: butts, toilets, and underpants are all mentioned (sure giggle producers) which detracted from a very solid and wonderful ending. Fun for kids who are nervous about heading back to class.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please add this to your Back To School Collection. You had First Day Jitters. You have School's First Day of School. You also have We Don't Eat our Classmates. Now you need this to complete your set: funny as heck and will relieve some of those nuggets of School Anxiety. Nothing like fine humor to deescalate stress.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This twist on first-day-of-school jitters features a backpack that gets stuffed, smashed, soiled, and otherwise abused throughout the school day by a kid who’s too busy to notice its suffering. Quirky illustrations of the anthropomorphized backpacks seem a bit unnerving, and the bathroom scene is just gross.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief summary: A backpack going back to school has the first day jitters but soon fits in the new environment.

This would be a good book to read during the first day or week of school to help those with any nervousness. Cute and humorous.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh I didn't love this. I appreciated what the story was trying to do, and look at first day of school nerves from the perspective of a backpack (super cute) -- but as an anxious kid I would have been so worried that my backpack wouldn't want to go to class with me because it was so rough a time!

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one. It creeped me out (maybe it's the illustrations of the anthropomorphic objects?) but also made me laugh a little bit.

That said, I think it could go over well with kids.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute concept about first day jitters and making new friends. Love the end pages too. Interesting color choices.
"The illustrations for this book were hand-drawn, then composited and rendered digitally.

[Amy Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss and Little, Brown and Company for providing access to an early e-galley of Back to School, Backpack! It's my new favorite back-to-school read for all ages! 🎒

[Laura M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for the kiddo who is nervous to start school or going back to school or a new school even.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is super cute and funny, with a reassuring ending. I really liked the bathtime book by this author, and this one is a lot of fun as well.

[Kelly]

Great book to show kids with school anxiety that you can end up okay after all.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ( I really liked it)

What a clever way to approach back to school nerves! Plus I love all the humor in the book. I will definitely purchase this for my school library.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best "Back to School book" I have read this year!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

a backpack is scared to go back to school and details the feelings of a new school year from his perspective. so cute. preschool and up

[Y.Poston]

exploration of friendship
and a new school experience

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of anthropomorphizing objects, but the book is a funny take on going back to school.

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

More weird than a solid concept

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storytime: Back to School, Friends, Emotions/Feelings

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

You think it's hard going back to school?! Try being a backpack! That is, until a new friend is made.

[Rebecca Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I like the focus on unexpected friendships. But, there is too much potty humor for a read aloud.

[Molly]

Text: 🙂
Illustrations: 😐

[Julie Grace Immink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young love

[Nadina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and funny story with simple illustrations but just felt somewhat average to me. It is a good concept for a book.