The little ones are headed back to school soon and, understandably, there are first day jitters and plenty of excitement. The kids are also about to meet a ton of new friends from all walks of life. Below are a few great books to read to/with the kids before that first day of school to make sure they are ready, accepting, and get rid of some of those nerves!
How to Get Your Octopus to School by Becky Scharnhorst: Getting your octopus to school won't be easy. He would much rather stay home with you and play hide-and-seek or dress-up. But you know your octopus will love school if he gives it a chance. And you'll tell him that . . . as soon as you can find him . . .
Reminiscent of If You Take a Mouse to School, get your little one ready for school with this silly and sweet back-to-school story. Perfect for any parent who has struggled to get their child ready for school in the morning! Includes an embellished list of octopus facts in the backmatter.
The Smallest Spot of a Dot by Linsey Davis and Michael Tyler: Now a New York Times bestseller! Using child-friendly language, this playful picture book explains how genetics make each person unique and celebrates how we are more alike than different and are all part of the human race. In The Smallest Spot of a Dot: The Little Ways We’re Different, The Big Ways We’re the Same, Linsey Davis, bestselling children’s author, Emmy-winning correspondent, and host for ABC News, together with co-author Michael Tyler, encourages children to find their own unique dot with sweet, rhyming prose.
”Only .1% of our genes make us uniquely who we are. We are 99.9% identical, alike, the same—equal. This book is 100% about that truth.”
Combining whimsical rhymes and Lucy Fleming’s engaging art, The Smallest Spot of a Dot is:
- An inspiring story of connection, equality, and acceptance
- Multicultural, multiracial children’s picture book that recognizes our similarities and our uniqueness
- Great for classroom use as children explore genetics, DNA, and individuality
- The perfect read-aloud for kids ages 4–8
- A unique gift for birthdays and holidays, or a back-to-school treat
The Two of Us Belong Together by Michael Engler: A warm spring morning brings together a hare and a hedgehog in a friendship "as warm as hot chocolate, as sweet as honey, and as big as the blue sky above." Although the hedgehog is prickly, and the hare is soft, they become friends, respecting and enjoying what makes each of them unique.
Seasons change and it's time for the hedgehog to hibernate. Both the hare and the hedgehog work to emotionally process this separation. Although the hedgehog promises to return, the hare has trouble understanding why he has been left all alone.
Through the cold winter, the hare never loses hope that his friend will return. Once a friendly crow explains to him that his friend is hibernating, the hare comes up with a clever plan.
When the hedgehog awakes from his winter sleep, he is reunited with his best friend, the hare. The hare has learned from the hedgehog, and has burrowed a big home that they can both share together the next winter, so neither of them have to be alone.
This story teaches us that differences in friendship can initially be hard to understand, but can ultimately bring us closer together. It also teaches us that conflict in a friendship is okay, and can be overcome with love. Dealing with change can be very hard, but challenges like these help us to grow.
Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney: Summer days are getting shorter and it's almost time for the first day of school for Llama! But Llama Llama isn’t ready for summertime to end. It's been full of backyard camping, family picnics, and ice cream with friends. All he wants is for summer to go on forever! He’s anxious about his first day back at school but maybe, with some help from his friends and Mama Llama, going back to school will be fun after all!
