Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Books for fall and for starting school

Fall makes us think about picking apples, going back to school and walking through leaves. Going back to school can be exciting or scary, depending on who we are and where we live. Whether your child is excited to go to school, or is worried that she will not fit in, there is a book here for you to use. Enjoy these fall choices as the temperature finally cools off a little bit.


Hello, Fall! By Deborah Diesen, Pictures by Lucy Fleming
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A young girl with her (assumed) grandfather reminisces about fall activities like walking through falling leaves, munching on crunchy apples and whispering with patient pumpkins. There is joy on every page, conveyed both through the words and the pictures. It would also be a great book to use if teaching memoir writing with young children, or using good word choice. Lots of ways to enjoy this joyful book!

Best Frints at Skrool by Antoinette Portis
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I am not sure if this book is super clever or just very annoying. The story is a school story told about friends on Planet Boborp. While written in English, many words are changed to Boborp words. Luckily, these words often rhyme with English words, or use picture clues and context so the reader can figure it out. But, what about a struggling reader, or a young one who takes everything literally? The lessons are well told and the author is careful to point out that stoodents on earth don’t behave quite so badly as those on Boborp. Give it a read and let me know what you think.

Tractor Mac School Day by Billy Steers
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Betty is an anthropomorphic School Bus who has a bad first day of school. Thanks to the advice of all her vehicle friends, including Tractor Mac, as well as the help of the farm animals, Betty is ready to go for her second day, which goes much better! A good book to read in the first weeks of school. Some days are not so great, but we can work together to make them better.

Geraldine by Elizabeth Lilly
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Have you ever been that girl? The one that stands out and is known only by weird characteristics? Geraldine is the only giraffe in her new school and she definitely stands out. Here is the story of how she makes one friend and then another and finally fits in when she cannot literally fit in. For any child who does not fit in right now at this moment, this book gives hope. And it’s fun to read!

Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Jen Hill
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When Tanisha has an accident with her grape juice, the narrator remembers that her mother always told her to “Be kind.” But, she does not know what to do to show kindness to Tanisha. She imagines many different responses and thinks up several ways to be kind to Tanisha and to others at home, at school and around the world. What a great book to share with early learners. They could share even more ideas!

Pie is for Sharing by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard, Illustrations by Jason Chin
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With the help of beautiful, old-fashioned illustrations that reminded me of those by Alexandra Day in the Carl books, Ledyard tells the story of sharing. What can be shared, what is shared even when you don’t realize it and what is not usually shared. Set around a summer holiday picnic, maybe the fourth of July, this book would make a good introduction to a new classroom in the fall. What can the students in the room share and how will this help their year to go better?

Dude by Aaron Reynolds, Art by Dan Santat
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A one word story with illustrations. A platypus and a beaver go surfing when they discover a shark, or maybe the shark discovers them. After an initial period of fright, they realize the shark wants to and can be a friend. This would make a marvelous story starter as a wordless picture book!

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