1st Day of School Books
Dara L. Cain
School is right around the corner and will be here before we know it. To help prepare your young ones for the upcoming school year here are some suggested reading picture book titles. These books can be found at the Rowan Public Library.
I Love School by Philemon Sturges: In rhyming verse and first person narrative a typical school day is described. The story does not concentrate on the uncertainties some children may experience. Instead, a love for school is exhibited in the text and in the illustrations done by Philemon Sturges as the children, laugh, play, and learn with their classmates. The end papers include chalk drawings accompanied by interesting facts related to school.
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney: In this beautifully illustrated book Llama Llama is ready to start preschool but when Mama Llama says goodbye Llama feels both sad and shy. His teacher the zebra and the other animal children encourage Llama to have fun writing, drawing, and playing. In the end “Llama finds out something new - He loves Mama… and SCHOOL, too!” Preschoolers will be able to relate to Llama’s feelings and will discover the excitement of going to school.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn: When Chester Raccoon is hesitant to start the first day of kindergarten Mrs. Raccoon finds a way to reassure her son. When Mrs. Raccoon kisses Chester’s palm he feels the kiss rush to his heart. His mother tells him whenever he feels lonely he is to place his hand to his cheek and “that very kiss will jump to your face and fill you with toasty warm thoughts.” This book is filled with love and youngsters will feel reassured after reading this heartwarming story.
Brand-new Pencils, Brand-new Books by Diane deGroat: A young opossum named Gilbert is unsure about starting first grade when he sits at the wrong desk and feels embarrassed, learns that Philip, a fellow classmate already knows how to read, and thinks his old friend Patti has already made a new friend. In the end, Gilbert realizes that school can be enjoyable when he learns that his teacher is nice, makes new friends, and enjoys learning to read with the help of Philip. Children will learn that the only way to discover new things is to try things that may be scary at first.
Off to First Grade by Louise Borden: Told in poetic verse each of the 23 first graders, their teacher Mrs. Miller, the principle Mr. Zimmerman, and the bus driver Xavier tell readers what they are anticipating on the first day of school. Each poem is accompanied by a snapshot of the character preparing for the school day from exchanging hugs with family members, waiting for the school bus, anticipating reading zillions of books, doing art projects, and playing sports. This is an upbeat story about the first day of school and each child reading this story will be able to relate to one or more of the 23 first graders in the story.
