I feel like we’ve only had a few weeks of summer – how could it be time for a new school year? However, it’s been a lovely summer, even though it’s been a short one. We’ve had lots of family and friends visit our Michigan house, which is a big reason we have this special place. We’ve had lots of great conversations, boat rides, bonfires and even caught a few fish! We traveled to Nashville for our niece’s beautiful wedding and were joined by some of our favorite people. We’ve had relaxing times in our gardens, wonderful time in the sun and lots of time to read. So I’m very thankful for the past few months, but I know school is starting very soon for many of you!

Although, we don’t have any little ones beginning school, I remember the angst that arrives both before and after the first day. There are so many worries. Will there be friends? What about Mom who is left at home? What about lunch? What about riding the bus? And the worries continue… To help with that, I’ve assembled a list of my favorite picture books to share with your children during those first few uneasy days. I hope you find some that lead to lots of good conversations and lots of comfort for all of you.

THE DAY YOU BEGIN

by jacqueline woodson

illustrated by rafael lopez

This book tells the story of how hard it is to walk through the door into someplace new; a place where everyone is a stranger; a place where no one is quite like you. It can be a lonely experience, especially if everyone in that room knows each other and has a lot in common. If everyone thinks your accent may be a little different and the food in your lunch box a little strange. But hopefully, there will be a caring teacher who will want to hear your stories and learn more about you; who will help your classmates understand that different is okay. 

This story offers so many opportunities for discussion. You can pause on almost every page, and ask questions to help your little ones understand that different is okay; to understand how it feels to be the different one in the room; to understand how their kindness can make all the difference. It’s a book to read now, but please also share it a few days before school begins, so when someone new walks into your child’s classroom, your child will have the empathy and understanding to be the one who offers a smile and makes room. 

This remarkable picture book needs to be in every school and public library, and in your family’s library as well.

ALL ARE WELCOME

By Alexandra Penfold

Illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

This is a picture book that needs to find its way into every preschool and early elementary classroom this fall. It’s the perfect book to share at the very beginning of the new year. The vibrantly colored illustrations help to tell the story of the first day of school for many children and their families. It reminds us that all children, no matter the color of their skin, where they are from, what clothes they wear, what religion they practice or who makes up their family, have a place in the school family.  Your children will recognize many familiar moments of their day from circle time, to lunchtime, to recess, to the walk home, to sharing time at dinner. It offers reassurance to children that no matter their differences, they are welcome. Something we all need to think about, wherever we are. All are welcome!

SCHOOL’S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL       

By Adam Rex

Pictures by Christian Robinson

Did you ever think about how the school feels when school starts? School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex tells the story from the school building’s perspective. I love imagining what inanimate objects might be thinking and feeling and this story certainly does that. School is brand new and doesn’t realize what the first day of school means, but his friend the janitor tries to prepare him. When that first day actually arrives, School isn’t so sure he likes the children being there. The children are everywhere and some actually say “this place stinks”. School’s feelings are hurt! When a kindergartener’s mother has to carry her little girl into school, School worries that he must be an awful place. Then lunch time comes and children spill food and milk all over School. School isn’t too happy about that! But afterwards the children sit in a circle and learn about shapes. School learns too and is very excited!  AND the little kindergartener makes a sparkly picture of School, which he really likes and which makes her feel so much better. At the end of the day, School confides to Janitor that he is probably lucky to be a school! This book is a great one to teach about perspective and point of view, as well as helping those first timers get over their anxiety about the new school year.

GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO

Words by Dianne White

Pictures by Daniel Wiseman

This charming picture book showcases many goodbye and hello moments in a preschooler’s life ranging from saying goodbye to a too small sweater to moving on from Velcro shoes.The vibrant, colorful illustrations help the reader visualize each situation, as well as to imagine the feelings the little ones are experiencing. Each set of pages offers a scenario that provides a perfect conversation starter about transitions in a child’s life. Of course, some of these changes might bring lots of anxiety to your little one, so seeing these worries come alive on the pages of the book will let them know they are not alone. They will learn that other children have the same concerns they do such as jumping into a swimming pool for the first time, attempting to ride a bike without the training wheels or even walking into school on their first day. By talking about these challenges, they will gain the courage to face them.

This is picture book that I’m sure will prove to be a family favorite and will be a frequently requested bedtime story. It’s also one mom and dad will want to read whenever those new situations prove to be a little scary, and their little ones need to bravely face the next new thing in their lives.

GOODBYE FRIEND! HELLO, FRIEND!

by Cori doerrfeld

One of my favorite books from last year was Cori Doerrfeld’s THE RABBIT LISTENED. Her latest picture book doesn’t disappoint. In fact it is a delightful look at goodbyes and hellos in our lives. It will make you pause and think about how many of those we face everyday. We not only greet our friends and families, but we also greet new seasons, new situations, new places and new activities throughout our day. We may be sad to say goodbye to snowmen, but we love saying hello to spring; we’re disappointed our day at the beach is ending, but it’s so much fun to say hello to campfires and marshmallows; we say goodbye to hesitating to try something new and hello to jumping in and giving it a try. 

The softly colored illustrations in the story introduces us to our main character, a little girl who tearfully bids her mom goodbye on her first day at school, but soon realizes that this goodbye can lead to lots of hellos. You’ll find the sweet facial expressions on each of the characters add so much to the story and will help your little ones understand exactly how each one is feeling.

You’ll see our little girl experience lots of hellos and goodbyes during the next year; some happy and some sad, but always hopeful. Not only will you have lots of fun reading this charming story with your children, but you’ll also find there’s so much to talk about. You can talk about the clues that tell us the days of the little girl’s year are passing: the puppy growing up, her strengthening friendship with Charlie, the clues the seasons are passing; the characters’ feelings. And as this new school year begins, you can talk about how saying goodbye to mom when school starts can lead to so many hellos on the bus, in class, at lunch and on the playground.

I highly recommend adding this book to your family’s library or to your library list! And if you’re not familiar with THE RABBIT LISTENED, add that one, as well. You’ll be so happy you did!

I WALK WITH VANESSA: A STORY ABOUT A SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS 

by Kerascoet

This charming wordless picture book won my heart when I saw the cover and after “reading” the story I knew I needed a copy of my own. It tells the story of a young girl who has just moved into the neighborhood and is new at school, a boy who isn’t very kind, and a teacher and classmates who show little empathy to the girl’s plight. No one asks her to join the class basketball game or to sit with them. After school she’s left to walk home alone, ignored by all except one little boy who says some unkind things. Since it’s a wordless book, we don’t know what was said, but the colorful and expressive illustrations – especially the interaction of the two children which is contained within a bright red cloud of color, leave us no doubt as to what unkind words might have been said. We quickly realize no one has noticed the altercation, except for one little girl. She is obviously bothered by what she saw and shares her concern with her friends. Overnight she isn’t able to forget, and the sadness lingers during her happy family breakfast. But then she suddenly has an idea about how to help the little girl.

Your little ones will be able to find so many details in this book as you all retell the story over and over again.  The vivid illustrations of the characters’ expressions will leave no doubt in children’s minds about what they are thinking and feeling.They will recognize the familiar situation of a moving truck arriving and a new family moving in, whether they have moved themselves or they have a new neighbor. They will be able to imagine how a new girl feels, and they can theorize why someone might choose to bully a newcomer. The story will provide you with the perfect introduction to talk about what they can do to welcome newcomers to their neighborhood and school, about teasing, about name-calling and about being an ally, and especially about how one small act of kindness can mean so much. 

The book offers a useful guide with suggestions about helping someone who is being bullied, as well as some helpful words to use during your discussions. And finally, don’t forget to notice the difference in the end papers from the beginning of the story to the end. Those alone are a wonderful thing to discuss with your children! I recommend this book be added to your home library, as well as to every public and school library for ages 4 – 7.

BE KIND

By Pat Zietlow Miller

illustrated by Jen Hill

We need so much more kindness in our world! A great place to start making this happen is during read alouds with our little ones. Be Kind is the perfect conversation starter! It not only tells the story of how kindness in a classroom can happen, but also in the neighborhood and at home. It helps children to understand that kindness is friendliness, patience and working to right a wrong. It can be a small gesture, or something more, that will lead to a greater kindness. I highly recommend this very special book be shared with children 3 – 8 years old, both in classrooms and home. It’s definitely one you’ll want to add to your family library.

THE SMALLEST GIRL IN THE Smallest GRADE

 by Justin Roberts

illustrated by Christian Robinson

Sally is the “smallest girl in the smallest grade” and no one notices her. However, Sally notices everyone and everything from Tommy “tripping” in the hall to the 27 keys on the janitor’s ring. She notices how a whisper can ruin someone’s day and how someone feels when they were pushed off the slide. She finally has enough and announces to her classmates “I’m tired of seeing this terrible stuff! Stop hurting each other! This is enough!” Her outburst inspired not only the children, but also the adults of the school to be a bit kinder and be feel a bit more connected, all because Sally had been paying attention.

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More about Susan

Hi! I'm Susan, a wife, a mom and a recently retired elementary school librarian with 22 years of experience. One of my greatest joys is to connect kids with a perfect book, which then leads them to a lifelong love of learning. Through my blog, I'm hoping to reach parents, their children and teachers to help them find those special books. I’m also hoping to offer some tips and techniques to use with your children as you read aloud.