Book Recommendations, Children's Books, Literacy Resources

Children’s Books for The First Day of School

I have put together a list of books for your child’s first day back at school. These books are best for ages 3-8. It’s a good idea to read aloud and discuss with your child their hopes and fears about a new school year. Be proactive and do this before school begins. The books I have on this post are useful, and I have used many myself in various classrooms. They are always a big hit with students. Parents, this is a good opportunity for you to prepare your child for school in the fall.

Another delightful Pigeon adventure from the wonderful author Mo Willems.

. Great for ages 3-5.

Little Critter is a bit nervous about starting school today. There’s a lot to be done before he can even get on the bus—he has to pick out his clothes, find his backpack, pack the perfect lunch, and say good-bye to Mom. Join Little Critter as he gets ready for this exciting day. Lift the flaps and find out what surprises are in store for Little Critter on his first day of school! Ages 3-6

With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, “Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen the class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves, it’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher or parent, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family away from home. Great for Ages 4-7

Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael López’s dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.

(This book is also available in Spanish, as El Día En Que Descubres Quién Eres!) Ages 5-8

Lena doesn’t want to miss out on her first day of school, but she can’t go without her favorite shoes! How can she convince them to be brave? Ages 4-8

The first day of school is right around the corner! And everything is bigger for Bigfoot — especially back to school problems like getting a haircut, trying on new clothes, and finding new shoes that fit! Told from a giant (and very hairy) point of view, Back to School with Bigfoot deftly tackles the worries kids face as that first day of school draws closer, and ends on a colossal high note!

Ages 4-8

This is a humorous book that will calm the jitters of the first day. On the first day of school, new classmates are asked to share what they would most like to happen in the upcoming year. Some kids’ hopes are familiar while others are off-the-wall. Whether it’s looking good on picture day or skateboarding at school, everyone’s wishes are shown in humorously exaggerated illustrations. Ages 6-8

Buy a Retired Teacher a Latte

Hello, I hope you hunt through my posts and get some resources and ideas. If you would like to donate for a cup of coffee, It is greatly appreciated.

$4.00

BuyMe a Coffee

My blog is fueled by coffee. If you’d like to buy me a cup, it is appreciated.

$4.00

Book Recommendations, Children's Books, Diversity in the Classroom, Literacy Resources

Childrens’ Books That are Relatable

**A good book can spark imagination, teach us, and take us on a journey.**

I love to share resources for children by topic. Kindly share with me if you have collections of special interest and I will add them. 😉 Teaching children to read and to Love reading is my passion.

We have all had a lousy day. Relatable text is important for children to make text-to-life connections.

Lucy is teased for being different. She finds courage to be herself.

This book helps children learn our fears are greatly exaggerated.

Kids will learn to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, lend a helping hand, and inspire others to do the same.

A book to teach about emotions and anger management.

Nurturing your child’s creativity might be one of the greatest gifts you can give to your child and to the world.

This is a story about loving yourself and respecting others.

This book introduces children to the practice of using mindful affirmations for support and encouragement when they need it.

Buy a retired (but still busy) teacher a coffee

Creativity requires fuel. If you would like to buy me a cup of coffee, it is gratefully appreciated. I hope you like my blog. Check out the resources. Thanks!

$4.00

BuyMe a Coffee

My blog is fueled by coffee. If you’d like to buy me a cup, it is appreciated.

$4.00

Children's Books, Literacy Resources

Childrens books on character building

In My Friend is Sad, elephant Gerald is down in the dumps. Piggie is determined to cheer him up by dressing as a cowboy, a clown, and even a robot! But what does it take to make a sad elephant happy? The answer will make even pessimistic elephants smile.

Edward has loads of toys but doesn’t share any of them with his little sister, Claire.

“They’re mine!”he says. That is, until one day when Edward finds himself in a predicament. With a little help from an unlikely ally, he learns that if he can share with others, they’ll share right back with him

Mike Reiss’s wickedly funny verse and David Catrow’s remarkable gift for comic illustration make this one book you’ll want to share—again and again!

Ruthie loves little things-the smaller the better. So when she finds a teeny tiny camera on the school playground one afternoon, she can hardly believe her luck. She wants to keep the camera in the worst way, but there’s one little problem: It isn’t hers.

Listening with my heart reminds us of the importance of being friends to ourselves. It also touches on the universal themes of friendship, empathy and kindness. Includes mindfulness and self-compassion activities.

Help kids develop coping strategies to manage frustration and anger.

8 stories help kids see why telling the truth is so important in developing their integrity, and earning respect.

Buy a retired teacher a cup of coffee

Thank you for checking out the resources I have gathered. If you care to contribute to my caffeine needs, it is much appreciated.

$2.00

BuyMe a Coffee

My blog is fueled by coffee. If you’d like to buy me a cup, it is appreciated.

$4.00

Book Recommendations, Children's Books

Books That Teach Kindness

Monique is all about being different and transforms herself in this book wearing clothes from her mother’s old trunk. It’s a great one to teach about being an individual and finding that thing that makes you unique.

This classroom classic is a great one to read when you are dealing with bullying.

BuyMe a Coffee

My blog is fueled by coffee. If you’d like to buy me a cup, it is appreciated.

$4.00

Children's Books, Literacy Resources

Children’s Books About Animals

This animal encyclopedia includes 500 amazing animal facts that offer hours of engaging learning. Alongside full-color pictures on every page, you’ll find weird and wonderful details about Magnificent Mammals, Creepy Crawlies, Amazing Amphibians, Feathered Friends, and more. This standout among animal books for kids is ideal for any boy or girl who is wild about animals!

Enter the ring to witness an epic battle of brawn between an ant and an elephant! A chimp vs. a crow in a showdown of wits! An emporer penguin vs. a pygmy mamoset in a contest for cutest creature! Some of the victors might surprise you and all of these animals will amaze you! Stats, fun facts, photos, and in-depth profiles about each contender will help you pick winners for more than a dozen mighty matchups. A March Madness-style bracket at the end of the book allows readers to choose the ultimate champion! Perfect for sports fans and animal crazy kids ready to go to the mat for their favorite species. Animal Smackdown is the next best thing to actually seeing these animals go head-to-head!

This beautiful picture book follows the journey of a young gray wolf who garnered nationwide attention when he became the first wild wolf in California in almost a century.

Children are given a well-rounded understanding of these beautiful creatures: their anatomy, feeding habits, and behavior. The following sea turtles are featured: * The herbivorous Green Sea Turtle * The beautiful Hawksbill Sea Turtle * The petite Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle * The king-sized Leatherback Sea Turtle * The unusual Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Get this book at this special price. *** Your child will love it –

If you love kittens and cats, you won’t want to miss this fun cat facts book! It tells you all about some of the strange, odd and weird things wild cats and pet kittens and cats can do. If you’re longing to get a kitten or a cat, or you already have a cat, and even if you’re an experienced pet owner, you’ll get some surprises when you read this book.

The latest exciting title in DK’s popular Where on Earth? series maps out the habitats of the world’s mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and more. Whether it’s plotting the range of a lion, following the flight paths of birds, tracking great white sharks in the oceans, or exploring the migration of the monarch butterfly, you will see exactly where and how more than 100 extraordinary animal species live.

BuyMe a Coffee

My blog is fueled by coffee. If you’d like to buy me a cup, it is appreciated.

$4.00

Buy me a Coffee

Hi, If you would like to buy me a cup of coffee, it is appreciated!!

$4.00

Book Recommendations, Children's Books

Childrens Silly Books

With vibrant language, artwork and a wild, silly plot, Too Much Glue is sure to appeal to all children who love to get messy.

When you babysit a grandma, if you’re lucky, you’ll have a sleepover at her house! And with the useful tips found in this book, you’re guaranteed to become an expert grandma-sitter in no time.

It’s time for the little red chicken’s bedtime story — and a reminder from Papa to try not to interrupt. But the chicken can’t help herself! Whether the tale is Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood or even Chicken Little, she jumps into the story to save its hapless characters.

From the creators of Dragons Love Tacos comes the story of what happens when a grumpy old man and some mischievous squirrels match wits—with hilarious results.

If you think Superman vs. Batman would be an exciting matchup, wait until you see Shark vs. Train. In this hilarious and wacky picture book, Shark and Train egg each other on for one competition after another, including burping, bowling, Ping Pong, piano playing, pie eating, and many more! Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train?

Really. I mean, how could a book eat people?
So if you’re just dying to know the history of this literary monster, all you have to do is turn the page…

BuyMe a Coffee

My blog is fueled by coffee. If you’d like to buy me a cup, it is appreciated.

$4.00

Book Recommendations, Children's Books, Literacy Resources

Childrens Books on Nature

The bird named Joy promised to come back every year. This brought happiness to the barren, lonely mountain, and over time, many wonderful changes took place.

The reason for a flower is to manufacture seeds, but Ruth Heller shares a lot more about parts of plants and their functions.

A gentle, poetic story that lovingly depicts the special companionship of a young child and her father as well as humankind’s close relationship to the natural world.

Readers follow a beautiful story of life’s journey―a journey that brings change and growth. A journey of a tiny dandelion seed who was afraid to let go.

Butterflies for Kids answers all your questions with fascinating facts, photos, and illustrations. Learn about the butterfly life cycle, their unusual behaviors, and impressive migrations.