Backpacks are full, pencils are sharpened, and the school year is about to begin!
As young children head back to class, feelings of anxiety or excitement may start to emerge and the perfect read-aloud book can bring a little laughter and levity to the impending milestone.
Set the stage for the coming school year with a few books from Naperville Public Library. You and your child can explore what to expect on the first day of school, how to navigate big emotions, and that making friends is certainly better than eating them.
“We Don’t Eat Our Classmates” by Ryan T. Higgins
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It’s the first day of school for Penelope Rex, and she can’t wait to meet her classmates. But it’s hard to make human friends when they’re so darn 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. This funny story is great for helping kids realize what it means to be a good friend.
“The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it’s how you look or talk, or where you’re from; maybe it’s what you eat, or something just as random. It’s not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. This book reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes — and how brave it is that we move forward anyways.
“The Invisible Boy” by Trudy Ludwig
This touching story teaches kids how one small act of kindness can make anyone feel included. Brian is the invisible boy. No one seems to notice him until a new kid comes to class. When Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project, Brian finds a way to shine!
“First Day Jitters” by Julie Danneberg
Sarah Jane is nervous for her first day of school but is quickly reassured by a new friend, Mrs. Burton, that everyone at school gets the jitters sometimes — and that’s perfectly OK.
“Time for School, Little Blue Truck” by Alice Schertle
Little Blue Truck is excited to meet a bright yellow school bus on the road. He sees all the little animals lined up in the school bus’s many windows, and Blue wishes he could be a school bus too. What a fun job — but much too big for a little pickup like Blue. Or is it? When somebody misses the bus, it’s up to Blue to get his friend to school on time.
“The King of Kindergarten” by Deborah Diesen
Give your child a confidence boost as they start the school year with the story of a little boy ready to take on the year — and tell his parents all about it when he gets home. Starting kindergarten is a big milestone, and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! The day will be jam-packed, but he’s up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm!
“How To Get Your Teacher Ready” by Jean Reagan
In a charming role reversal, a class of adorable students give tips and tricks to getting a teacher ready for the first day of school, and all the events and milestones that will follow including picture day, field day and the 100th day of school. Along the way, the children realize that getting their teacher ready is really getting themselves ready too.
“This School Year Will Be The Best” by Kay Winters
In charming book, the teacher asks her students what they would like to do this year in school. On the first day of school, fears will surely disappear as the students share their familiar ideas along with the more outlandish ones.
“Llama Llama Misses Mama” by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama is headed to his first day of school in this story. Little readers can join him as he conquers his fears about missing his mama, all while learning how much fun school can be!
“If You Take a Mouse to School” by Laura Numeroff
In this beloved series, the mouse is headed off to school. But if you take a mouse to school, he’ll want a backpack … and a lunch box … and some pencils. What will he ask for next?
Ashlee Conour is the marketing specialist at Naperville Public Library.