Head Back to School with Some of Our Favorite Reads
Early mornings, bus stops, lunchboxes, and RECESS! And let's not forget our very favorite, the school library. Reading at home has countless benefits. Building a strong foundation for learning and a love for books being just one. Once you've helped start that journey, the library at your kid's school is another resource for growing those benefits and expanding their love of books! Whether beginning their very first year in "Big Kid School" or returning for another year, your kid is sure to find a favorite in our list of back-to-school reads.
How Back to School Reads Help Transitions
For first timers, transitioning to "school days" can be confusing and maybe even a little scary. Introducing children to the idea of new people and places through fun, engaging stories can reduce anxieties and help them get ready for the changes they will experience. Once they have an idea of what to expect, they are ready to jump in full of excitement for their first day or their first day back.
Know Before They Go
Talking with your kid about their next big step is a great way to get an idea of what they're most excited about or what has them anxious. It could be their new teacher, new friends, a new place, or just the change in routine. Kids sometimes worry about being away from their family or pets, especially if they've never been away from home for very long. The combination of changes to their routine paired with so many new experiences can be a lot to process. Even when it's good change, it's still change, which can be hard all by itself. Exposure through books can alleviate fears and uncertainties so they feel like a pro before they've even left the house.
Routine and Structure
Earlier wake-up times: Kids are shifting from relaxed summer schedules to strict morning routines aligned with new schedules.
Longer days away from home: Kids will spend hours in unfamiliar buildings separated from parents, siblings, and pets.
Emotional and Behavioral Changes
Separation anxiety: Goodbyes can cause anxiety, clinginess, or tears. And it can be just as hard for parents, though this usually passes quickly once they're immersed in the experience.
Tiredness and overstimulation: Loud noises and busy hallways can overwhelm young nervous systems, leading to crankiness. You may notice irritability, changes in sleep, or shifts in appetite.
Easing Fears and Building Confidence
Demystifying the unknown: Stories give children a visual reference for unfamiliar routines like riding the bus, meeting a teacher, and eating in the cafeteria.
Normalizing big feelings: Books featuring relatable characters help kids name and process feelings like separation anxiety or shyness.
Promoting positive expectations: Upbeat stories turn the idea of a classroom into an exciting adventure rather than a scary place.
Books to Make Back to School F-U-N!
After sending four boys back-to-school year after year and reliving the anxiety and excitement through the hundreds of parents whose kids attended Just Imagine... Preschool! for their very first school experience, here are the books that we've seen make back-to-school F-U-N!
1. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
Miss Bindergarten is busy decorating and organizing her colorful classroom while each student, named in alphabetical order from Adam the alligator to Zack the zebra, wakes up, dresses, and heads to school. The rhyming story perfectly captures both the excitement and the nervous jitters of starting a brand new school year.
2. The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
The night before kindergarten, kids pack their supplies and lay out their clothes while feeling a mix of anticipation and worry. On the big morning, they arrive at the classroom where a friendly teacher helps them quickly settle in, play, and make new friends. Ultimately, the children discover that school is wonderful and reassure their equally emotional parents at drop-off.
3. Pete The Cat: Rocking In My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
In this groovy book, Pete puts on his cool red shoes and goes off to explore his new school. As he visits the library, the lunchroom, and the playground, he never worries or feels scared. Instead, he sings his catchy song and happily dances along in his cool school shoes. When his mom asks about his day, he tells her all about his amazing day.
4. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
This sweet, classic story is about a young raccoon who is afraid to start school. To comfort him, his mother shares a family secret called "the kissing hand". She kisses his palm so he can carry her love with him all day. Whenever he feels lonely or scared at school, he can press his hand to his cheek to feel the warmth of his mother's reassurance. This gentle ritual helps him find the courage to face his new environment, knowing his mother's love is always with him.
5. The Pigeon Has To Go To School by Mo Willems
Everyone's favorite, stubborn pigeon has a major meltdown when he learns he has to start school. He goes on a hilarious rant, making-up crazy "what-if" excuses like whether his head might pop off from learning too much or if the teacher will even like pigeons. After working through his big feelings about the unknown, he realizes that a place with books, classrooms, and a playground sounds pretty great after all. In the end he overcomes his worries and is ready to hop on the bus.
6. The Crayons Go Back To School by Drew Daywalt
The crayons wave goodbye to summer during a beach vacation and get ready for a new school year. Once their back to the classroom, each colorful crayon looks forward to their favorite subject, such as Purple loving math, Black enjoying writing, and Yellow and Orange teaming up for science. Finally, all the crayons get together with old friends and new ones to enjoy their ultimate favorite activity: art class!
7. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
Through lyrical, rhyming text, the story highlights how children of all different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and physical abilities learn and play side by side. The book emphasizes that diversity is a community's greatest strength and that school acts as a safe haven where every child is valued and loved. Ultimately, it serves as a powerful message of inclusivity, assuring young readers that they always have a place and a space where they are welcome.
8. We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Penelope, a young T. Rex, is very nervous about her first day of school. When she realizes her classmates are human children, she gobbles them up because they look delicious. After her teacher makes her spit them out, she struggles to make friends because her peers are terrified of her! Penelope finally learns empathy when the classroom goldfish bites her finger. After experiencing what it feels like to be someone else's snack, she loses her appetite for her classmates and learns what it means to be a good friend.
9. How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? by Jane Yolen
This humorous picture book that explores proper classroom etiquette through silly examples of misbehaving prehistoric creatures. The story asks if giant dinosaurs would make a fuss, grab lunches, or disrupt lessons with loud roars and roughhousing. Instead, it shows that these giant students actually behave very well. They know how to raise their hands, help peers, and tidy up their desks. Sometimes a silly demonstration of what NOT to do can help frame a conversation about expectations in a new environment.
10. If You Take A Mouse To School by Laura Numeroff
This story follows a hilarious, circular chain of events that starts when a boy brings a lively mouse to his classroom. The enthusiastic mouse makes a continuous series of requests; from asking for a lunchbox and a snack to needing notebooks, pencils, and backpack space. During the school day, he stays busy doing math, trying a messy science experiment, building a block house, and even writing his very own book. By the end of the day, his endless energy leads right back to where it all began, hinting that the cycle of fun might start all over again.
Embracing the Changes
Changes in routine and new experiences can be challenging at any age. Remember to allow your child time and space to express their excitement and concerns. Even after school is well underway, you'll need to be ready for a bit of back and forth as the newness settles and they ease in to the regularity of it all. But change doesn't have to mean never revisiting what you used to do. School breaks and weekends can be a chance to revisit some of the fun things your family did before.
Just Like We Used to Do!
Sleeping in late: Parents are usually old pros at this weekend activity but earlier weekdays can make a little extra rest a big treat for your little one.
Staying up late: Days out of school can be a good time to skip the usual weekday bedtime routine and spend a little extra time reading stories, playing, or spending time with family .
Day trips: Busy schedules and strict timelines make spontaneous trips to your family's favorite places harder to do during the week. But weekends and school breaks are the perfect time.
Down time: Sometimes the best way to spend school-free days is doing nothing at all! School is fun and exciting but your kid may need scheduled down to get ready for their next session.
Conclusion
Starting school is often one of the first big changes a child faces in growing up. Getting an early start on embracing change means your kid will have a great foundation for one of life's constants and be better equipped to go with the flow when needed. Luckily, they can share their new experience with some of their favorite characters and learn that change can also be incredibly fun. Happy reading!
Comments