Great Books that Will Make Your Kids Say, “Yay School!”

 

As a librarian, I love this time of year!  It’s a chance for me to get acquainted with a room full of books that have been resting all summer in my unusually quiet library, as well as unpack boxes of brand new books that were delivered over the summer.  (Anyone else still waiting for a new-book-scented candle?)  Whether your kids are anxious about starting a new school year, dreading walking down those halls, or thrilled with organizing their school supplies, here are some of my favorite books to begin the school year.

NOTE: All summaries are from the publisher.  All reviews and opinions are mine.  Links to purchase books on Amazon are provided for your convenience.

For building up a “Yay school!” attitude:

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin

Summary: Pete the Cat is back—and this time he’s rocking in his school shoes. Pete discovers the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and lots of other cool places at school. And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops moving and grooving and singing his song . . . because it’s all good.

Review:  Pete is a groovy cat who wears a smile all day no matter what comes up.  Kids love the illustrations in this book, but the best part is rocking out with Pete!  The author of this series is a music teacher and offers a free download of him reading and singing the book.  If your kids haven’t discovered Pete the Cat, now is the time!  Fair warning: this adorable song will be stuck in your head for days.

The Dot by Peter Reynolds

Summary: Vashti believes that she cannot draw, but her art teacher’s encouragement leads her to change her mind.

Review: If your child is struggling with an “I can’t” attitude, this is the book for you.  When Vashti gets the courage to give drawing a try, she realizes that a tiny dot on white paper can lead to a unique, colorful drawing.  Readers learn that although taking the first step is the hardest and scariest, it gets better and easier if you keep trying.

 

For calming kindergarten nerves:

Yoko Writes Her Name by Rosemary Wells

Summary: Yoko is excited about kindergarten.  She has already learned to write her name.  But when Mrs. Jenkins shows the class Yoko’s Japanese writing, Olive and Sylvia make fun of her.  “Yoko can’t write! She’s only scribbling!  She’ll never graduate from kindergarten!”  Luckily, a little help from a best friend and lots of cheers from classmates lead to a rollicking, rolling graduation day after all.

Review: In this book readers learn that special talents aren’t always appreciated or understood by others.  Yoko is very proud of herself because she is going to kindergarten already knowing how to read and write in Japanese.  But because other kids in her class don’t understand what she’s doing, they think she is not smart enough for kindergarten.  This book helps young readers understand that everyone has different valuable talents and abilities and that we can learn from each other.

I am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child

Summary: Lola is not so sure about school. After all, why would she need to count higher than ten when she never eats more than ten cookies at a time? And why write letters when you have a telephone? Once again, it’s up to ever-patient big brother Charlie to persuade Lola that school is worthwhile — and that her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, will be welcome, too. Lauren Child’s delightful sibling duo returns to tackle first-day-of-school jitters with their own special brand of energy and humor.

Review: Nervous first timers will identify with Lola as she tries to convince her older brother Charlie that she simply does not have time for school.  But Charlie’s reasons why school is so great make Lola a little more confident as she heads off to kindergarten.  The humorous text is paired with wonderful illustrations.  Kids will love reading the words that are part of the pictures as well as searching for Lola’s invisible friend hanging around!

 

For anxious older kids:

Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls: The New Girl by Meg Cabot

Summary:  “When you are starting at a brand-new school, you have to wear something good.”

Allie Finkle’s starting her first day of school at Pine Heights Elementary! Plus, she’s getting a new kitten, the first pick of show cat Lady Serena Archibald’s litter!  But being the New Girl is turning out to be scary, too, especially since one of the girls in Allies new class — Rosemary — doesn’t like her. In fact, Rosemary says she’s going to beat Allie up after school.  Everyone seems to have an opinion on how Allie should handle the situation.  How can Allie tell who’s right? Who knew it was going to be so hard being the New Girl?

Review: Having been the new girl myself once, I understand the anxiety and pressure that comes with making a good first impression when starting a new school!  This book is great for older kids, especially girls, who are nervous about starting a new school or even new classroom with many unfamiliar faces.  Although this is book two in the series, readers will have no problem picking up the story and empathizing with Allie as she creates her list of “rules for girls”.  Meg Cabot (also the author of the teen series The Princess Diaries that inspired the movie) created a lovable character in Allie Finkle; moms will love reading it with their daughters because it will remind them of the humor in their girlhood dramas.

Mrs. Watson Wants Your Teeth by Alison McGhee

Summary: Sure, first-grade teacher Mrs. Watson may look human, but it is a known and proven fact that she is actually a three-hundred-year-old alien who steals baby teeth from her students.  Thank goodness for a second grader’s warning, because this little first grader has a secret: She has a loose tooth! Her first! How will she make it through an entire year without opening her mouth?

Told with the same gentle wit as in their first irresistible collaboration, Countdown to Kindergarten, this lighthearted take on losing one’s first tooth will have children and parents laughing aloud.

Review: The beginning of the school year always brings some jitters about a new teacher.  There are always scary stories passing from kid to kid about certain teachers, but are they always true?  These books show how a child’s fears of a new teacher can get carried away.  The one elementary teacher whom I was terrified of ended up being my most favorite and memorable teacher!  Kids will love the comic book style illustrations and text in both of these funny books.

Don’t forget to check out your nearest San Antonio Public Library for these and other great titles!  

Do you have any favorite back to school books?  Share in the comments below!