It's back to school time. And whether your children are going to a physical school or staying at home for online learning, here are some picture books that celebrate school and will help your kids get into the back-to-school spirit.
David Jumps In (Kids Can Press, www.kidscanpess.com)
It's David's first day at his new school. At recess, he looks for kids who want to play his game — elastic skip — but instead he sees kids playing sports, hide and seek and just hanging out in the grass. Will David ever make friends?
In this picture book by Alan Woo and illustrated by Katty Maurey, you can feel David's nervousness as he watches the other kids grab their friends and do what they always do when they go outside. David stands back and watches, but eventually finds the courage to reach out to a group of kids who welcome him in. I love the illustrations in this book, lots of people doing lots of things on each page.
Over-Scheduled Andrew (Tundra Books, www.penguinrandomhouse.ca)
I don't expect kids this school year to be as over-scheduled as they have been in the past. I suspect most after-school programming and extra-curricular activities will be cancelled, however, Over-Scheduled Andrew is still a great story about the importance of letting kids be kids, and giving them time to use their imaginations rather than joining, as in Andrew's case, the drama club, debate club and chess club, as well as karate, ballet and bagpipe lessons. The problem is, Andrew keeps finding more things to do, until he can't do much else and starts slipping up on the things he is committed to doing.
I love this book by Ashley Spires, which shows the Andrews in the world that saying no is OK and having time to hang out with your friends is good, too.
School's First Day of School (Raincoast Books, www.raincoast.com)
Frederick Douglass Elementary is a just-build school. Everyone is nervous, including School itself. School talks to the janitor, who tries to explain to him what school is and what will happen when the children arrive. When they do, School watches as kids pour into its hallways, drink its water and talks badly about him. Another little girl is so nervous about going inside her mom has to carry her inside, which makes School sad.
But the day goes in, kids eat lunch, have a surprise fire drill and learn new things. At the end of the day, School understands what school is and wishes for the children to return the next day.
I love the idea that School has just as many questions about school as everyone else. This book by Adam Rex is a perfect book for new students.
Stanley at School (Kids Can Press, www.kidscanpess.com)
I do love Stanley books. Written by Linda Bailey, this caper shows how curiosity gets the better of Stanley and his friends, who decide they need to find out what school is and what the neighbourhood children do in there all day.
The dogs break inside, only to discover the most delicious smells — socks, hamster poop and ... lunch. The dogs go wild, raiding the lunchboxes, playing with the children and being sent to the principal's office.
Stanley at School is a funny and fun look at school from a dog's perspective.
What is Bunny's Not a Bully? (Kids Can Press, www.kidscanpess.com)
In Lana Button's latest book, Kitty's friends won't play with bunny because bunny is a bully. At first Kitty believes her friends, and then she starts asking questions including what if Bunny's not actually a bully. Cute illustrations in this book that helps kids realize that people make mistakes and good friends forgive them.
I interviewed Lana about this book for Book Time. Read the Q&A here: https://booktime584.wordpress.
Lisa Day is the author of two book blogs, Book Time, where she reviews a variety of books for a variety of readers and offers author Q&As, and followsummer.com, book reviews that inspire armchair travel.
