Free Back to School Bookmark Printable

Back to school bookmark printables have always been one of my favorite first week activities, simple, creative, and surprisingly meaningful.

This one combines an All About Me prompt with a book review on the back, so kids can color, reflect, and start thinking about the new school year.

These coloring printable bookmarks work well in the classroom or at home, and they make great keepsakes once finished.

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What’s Included in the All About Me Bookmark

This back to school bookmark printable is a single-page, double-sided template designed to help kids reflect on both their reading and themselves.

It folds in half to create a sturdy bookmark, with one side focused on a book review and the other featuring All About Me prompts.

On the book review side, kids will fill in:

• Book Title – The name of a book they’ve recently read
• Author – Recognizing who wrote the book
• Rating out of 5 – A quick review based on how much they enjoyed it
• Sketch of Favorite Scene or Character – A place to draw something memorable from the book
• Book Summary – A short description of what the book was about, in their own words

On the All About Me side, kids can complete:

• Name and Age – Simple identity details to personalize the bookmark
• Favorite Color and Hobbies – Encourages self-expression
• When I Grow Up, I Want to Be… – A fun future-thinking prompt
• I Spent the Summer… – A short reflection on their recent break
• This is Me – A space to draw a self-portrait

Altogether, it’s a creative icebreaker that helps students share something about themselves and their reading, while also creating a personalized bookmark they’ll actually use.

How to Use the Printable Bookmark

Start by printing the bookmark on cardstock if you have it, it holds up better over time. Regular paper works too, especially if kids are just using it for a single book or project.

Cut along the dotted line to separate the bookmark from the page. Then fold it in half so the book review is on one side and the All About Me section is on the other.

Use a glue stick or school glue to secure both sides together. Once it’s dry, it’s ready to decorate.

Kids can color in the illustrations, fill in the prompts, and even add extra doodles or designs if there’s space. You might want to laminate the finished bookmarks if they’ll be used all term.

Once they’ve finished reading a book, students can complete the review section, either as an individual activity or part of a reading group.

It’s a fun way to practice comprehension without the pressure of a full book report, and it creates a keepsake of their early reading goals.

Benefits of Using Back to School Bookmarks

This bookmark isn’t just a fun first week activity, it supports a wide range of early learning goals. Here’s how they can help in the classroom or at home:

1. Encourages reading – Kids are more likely to engage with books when they have a personalized bookmark they’ve created themselves. It adds a sense of excitement and ownership to reading time.
2. Improves reading comprehension – The book review section encourages kids to reflect on what they’ve read, helping them remember details and think critically about the story.
3. Fosters creativity – Coloring and decorating the bookmark gives kids a chance to express themselves artistically in a low-pressure way.
4. Supports self-expression and reflection – The All About Me prompts invite children to share a bit about who they are, which builds confidence and connection, especially helpful during the first week of school.
5. Promotes writing skills – Short prompts like “book summary” or “I spent the summer…” help students practice organizing their thoughts and writing complete sentences.
6. Builds fine motor skills – Cutting, coloring, folding, and writing all help strengthen the small muscle movements needed for writing and other classroom tasks.
7. Creates personalized reading tools – Instead of a generic bookmark, each child ends up with a tool that feels truly theirs, something they’ll actually want to use.
8. Encourages ownership and pride – When students see their work turned into something useful, it reinforces the idea that their ideas and creativity matter.
9. Makes a memorable keepsake – These bookmarks can be saved and looked back on later in the year as a reminder of their reading journey and how much they’ve grown.

Favorite Back to School Read Alouds

These are a few books we’ve loved reading at the start of a new school year. They’re fun, relatable, and perfect for calming nerves or breaking the ice.

A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School – This one’s a gentle, reassuring read that sets the right tone for the year ahead. It’s written from the teacher’s perspective, which really helps kids feel seen and supported on day one.

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates– This has been a hit every time. Penelope Rex is a dinosaur with a not-so-great habit of eating her classmates, it’s funny, slightly outrageous, and somehow ends up being a great lesson on empathy and making friends.

My Mouth Is A Volcano – If your kids are like mine and sometimes can’t wait their turn to talk, this book hits the mark. It’s lighthearted but makes the point, and it opens the door for good conversations about listening and self-control.

Looking for a fun surprise to start the year?
Take a peek at our favorite back to school gift ideas – practical, playful, and perfect for the first day.

First Week of School Printables

If you’re looking for more low-prep ways to ease into the school year, these free first day of school worksheets are a great place to start:

First day of school crowns – A fun craft activity that gets kids excited for the new year (and makes for great photos too).

Get to know you worksheet – A simple way for kids to share fun facts and start making connections with classmates or teachers.

All about me printable – Great for reflection and self-expression, especially during those quieter moments in the first week.

Get the Free Printable Back to School Bookmark Here!

Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free bookmark for students.

Last Updated on 7 May 2025 by Clare Brown