This ‘Back-To-School With Scholastic Books’ post contains Amazon affiliate links.
For generations, Scholastic Books has been helping kids discover the joy of reading. Remember eagerly flipping through Scholastic Book Fair flyers at school? Or bringing home favorite chapter books and activity kits? Scholastic has been a trusted part of childhood for decades. I have SUCH great memories of them!
So, as another school year begins, there’s no better time to refresh your child’s bookshelf. Scholastic offers stories that inspire imagination, activity kits that encourage creativity away from screens, and so much more. Whether you have a preschooler just learning their ABCs, an elementary student who loves crafts, or a middle schooler searching for their next great read, Scholastic has something for every age and interest.
Creative Activity Kits They’ll Love
Sometimes kids need a break from homework while still keeping their minds engaged. Scholastic’s activity kits combine favorite characters with hands-on fun, making them perfect for after-school afternoons, rainy days, or weekend creativity.
- Wings of Fire Folded Flyers: Calling all dragon fans! Kids can fold and build 10 paper dragons inspired by the bestselling Wings of Fire series that actually fly. Complete with premium punch-out pieces, step-by-step instructions, and flying tips. There’s even fun facts about favorite dragons like Glory, Tsunami, and Sunny, this kit is sure to delight fans of the series.
- The Baby-Sitters Club Friendship Crafts: Creative kids will love making thoughtful gifts inspired by the iconic Baby-Sitters Club. This craft kit includes materials and instructions for 10 projects. Enjoy everything from friendship bracelets and personalized pencils to shrink charms, bookmarks, and mini books. It’s a wonderful way to encourage creativity while celebrating kindness and friendship.
- Pokémon Legendary Stained Glass: Pokémon fans can create stunning window art featuring 18 Legendary Pokémon designs. The included specialty vellum paper and double-tipped markers create a beautiful stained-glass effect when displayed in a sunny window. Kids will also enjoy coloring the oversized bonus poster and learning fun facts about their favorite Legendary Pokémon.
- LEGO Mini Golf: This clever STEM activity combines building and play in one exciting kit. Kids can build, rebuild, and redesign nine different mini golf holes. All the while, they’re experimenting with angles, obstacles, and the science behind each shot. It’s an engaging project for LEGO lovers and future engineers alike.
- Harry Potter Potions Classroom: Bring a little Hogwarts magic home! This miniature craft kit lets Harry Potter fans build their very own Potions classroom! It’s complete with tiny shelves, potion bottles, cauldrons, books, and colorful potion ingredients. Even beginner crafters can create an impressive display worthy of Professor Snape’s classroom.
Wonderful Books for Younger Readers
Whether you’re reading together before bed or helping build early literacy skills, these books are wonderful additions to your home library.
- Frog’s Day Out (A Lift-the-Flap Book): Join Frog and his friends as they head to the beach! This adorable interactive lift-the-flap story is from the creators of The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom. Sturdy flaps and playful rhymes make it perfect for little hands.
- My First Bob Books: Alphabet Story Box: Learning the alphabet becomes exciting with this boxed set of 12 simple storybooks. Developed alongside reading experts, these books introduce letter recognition. It’s perfect for helping toddlers and preschoolers develop early literacy skills through engaging stories.
- Bob Books: Picture Dictionary: Created by teachers. Bob Books has been helping children learn to read for more than 40 years. This colorful picture dictionary helps young readers build vocabulary while reinforcing letters, sounds, and early reading concepts that grow with them through the elementary years.
- Rhea’s Rodeo: Celebrate determination, teamwork, and family traditions in this heartwarming picture book about a young girl preparing for Rodeo Day. Along the way, readers learn valuable lessons about perseverance, handling disappointment, and finding confidence.
- How NOT to Make a Jelly Sandwich: If your child loves silly stories, this one will quickly become a favorite. Frankie turns a simple “how-to” assignment into an outrageous adventure filled with ducks, elephants, hamsters, and plenty of laughs. It’s a delightful celebration of creativity and imagination.
- Mac & Cheese: The Origin Story: Discover the hilarious beginning of one of the world’s favorite food duos! This pun-filled story follows Mac and Cheese on their search for friendship in a charming read-aloud that’s packed with heart and humor.
- The Fish Who Cried Wolf: Fans of Julia Donaldson will love this clever underwater tale about Tiddler, a little fish known for arriving late to school with imaginative excuses. When he finds himself swept far from home, his storytelling skills may be exactly what he needs to find his way back.
- I Spy Fantasy: Kids who enjoy puzzles and hidden object games will love exploring magical scenes while solving clever rhyming riddles. The detailed photographs make every page a new adventure.
- I Spy Treasure Hunt: Join a pirate-inspired search for hidden treasures through beautifully photographed scenes and engaging riddles. It’s a fun way to build observation skills while encouraging screen-free entertainment.
Great Reads for Middle Schoolers
Older readers deserve exciting stories that keep them turning pages long after bedtime.
- A Wickedly Evil Pet: Vicky von Evil is back with another hilarious adventure as she adopts the cutest bunny imaginable, who may actually be better at being “evil” than she is. Packed with humor and lovable characters, this early chapter book is a fun read for young middle-grade readers.
- Legend of the Sea Dragon: The unicorns head to Silver Shell Beach in this magical installment of the Unicorn Diaries series. Mermaid legends, mythical sea dragons, and beautiful full-color illustrations make this another enchanting adventure.
- Where Lost Girls Go: This gripping young adult novel blends mystery, suspense, and emotional depth. Join Iris as she begins questioning everything she thought she knew about the secluded family she’s come to trust.
- Offside: A Graphic Novel: Sports fans will appreciate this thoughtful graphic novel. It’s all about teamwork, inclusion, and overcoming stereotypes as a middle school soccer team becomes co-ed for the first time.
- My Roman Summer: Filled with family drama, friendship, and a touch of romance, this coming-of-age novel follows sixteen-year-old Livia as she spends the summer discovering both Rome and herself.
- Midsummer Sisters: This beautifully illustrated graphic novel explores sisterhood, family relationships, and the healing power of nature as two stepsisters care for a newborn wild foal during a life-changing summer.
- A Blood Moon: Animal fantasy fans will be captivated by this action-packed adventure featuring an orphaned white wolf cub whose unusual appearance leads to danger; and an unforgettable journey through the Snowlands.
- After My Brother Sam: This moving historical novel continues the story of My Brother Sam Is Dead, exploring grief, patriotism, and the difficult choices families faced during the Revolutionary War.
- Theft of the Ruby Lotus: Mystery lovers will enjoy following Ria and her best friends through the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the streets of New York as they race to uncover the secrets behind a mysterious ruby before someone else gets there first.
Final Thoughts
Whether your child is just beginning their reading journey or devouring chapter books independently, Scholastic books continues to offer books and activity kits that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
From hands-on craft kits featuring favorite characters to engaging picture books, graphic novels, and page-turning adventures, there’s truly something for every age and interest. So, as you prepare for another exciting school year, adding a few new Scholastic titles to your home library is a wonderful way to encourage reading