Autumn is soon here which means it is time for stories to usher in the new school year.
As the bell chimes in the new school year, here is a selection of must-read picture books for children that capture the anticipation, excitement and worries of heading back-to-school, or even heading to school for the very first time.
These good reads are warm and satisfying stories that will assuage back to school jitters.
Through gentle watercolour illustrations and a reflective narrative, Deirdre Sullivan and Maja Löfdahl chronicle a young girl’s discoveries from the first day of school to the end of the school year. Readers of Ming Goes to School follow the title character in her transition from first-day parental goodbyes to newfound friendships. At school, Ming builds magic fairy castles, hosts “pinkie-lifting” tea parties and achieves a playground feat “worth waiting for.” The book reveals that “growing up takes time,” and that there will be challenges and triumphs along the way. A genuine celebration of friendship, play, and new experiences to share with kindergarten and first grade students.
Everyone is a little nervous on the first day of school, especially School. School’s First Day of School, written by Adam Rex and illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Christian Robinson, presents a delightfully fresh perspective on the first day of school. Rex and Robinson succeed masterfully at anthropomorphizing the new school building, revealing Frederick Douglass Elementary’s anxieties about his first day.
Robinson’s bold and brilliant acrylic paint and collage illustrations of the building’s exterior — windows for eyes, door handles for a nose and a slight front stoop smile — subtly add personality to the school. When the children arrive, School is shocked by the older kids’ remarks: “This place stinks” or “I hate school.” School feels awful as he squirts fountain water on a child’s face and is terribly embarrassed (and apologetic) when his fire alarm sounds. School begins to enjoy the feeling of the messy, boisterous learning happening within his walls, and he looks forward to inviting the children back the next day.
Worthy of being shelved alongside back-to-school classics such as Kevin Henkes’ Wemberly Worried and Joseph Slate’s Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten.
In Salina Yoon’s Bear’s Big Day, Bear is ready for his very first day of school. At breakfast, he declares: “I’m a big bear now.” Sadly, there is no room in his big-bear backpack for Floppy, Bear’s stuffed bunny. Leaving Floppy at home while Bear goes to school proves to be a difficult task for this cub. All day, Bear longs for his favourite stuffed friend. With the inspiration of his teacher, Miss Fox, Bear finds a way share his school day with Floppy. A perfect story to share with children experiencing the anxiety of leaving a stuffed friend — or parent — at home.
"Otter Keeper gave me a cuddle. He said that everyone is good at something and that you just need to find out what that something is.” With gentle humour and charm, Sam Garton’s Otter is back in Otter Goes to School.
While Otter Keeper is at work, Otter has the idea to dress up in a “special teacher dress” and open up her own school to educate her stuffed animal friends. Otter helps Giraffe, Pig and Bear prepare for school, drives them to the school (in her toy car), experiences an emotional parental goodbye and then resumes her role as the friendly teacher. Otter cares deeply about the success of her students and when she learns that Bear does not feel as clever as Giraffe and Pig, she doubts her teaching abilities and seeks advice from Otter Keeper at an “emergency parent-teacher meeting.” Otter Goes to School is a positive story that reassures Otter, Bar, and readers alike that everyone has a special gold star-worthy talent to discover and share. A story that will resonate with both students and teachers.
Visit your local library to borrow these school-themed picture books — and many more
--A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published on Wednesdays. Natalie Schembri works at Port Moody Public Library.
