| I Got You: A Brother's Promise by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Shamar Knight-JusticeFrom the moment Rasheed is born, his caring big brother Anthony shows him how to do everything, whether it’s building a block tower, braving a thunderstorm, riding a bike, or -- eventually -- becoming a big brother himself. I Got You offers a sweet, straightforward portrait of a sibling bond. |
|
| Island Storm by Brian Floca; illustrated by Sydney SmithHand in hand, two bold siblings explore the calm before the storm that’s gathering along the coast of their island town. Poetic words, rich in sensory details, heighten the atmosphere created by the expressive, stylized artwork. Read-alike: Hurricane by Jason Chin. |
|
| The Day the Books Disappeared by Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard; illustrated by Dan SantatArnold can’t understand why his classmates bother reading books about anything besides the best topic: planes. Discovering that he can wish away all the other books, Arnold is delighted...until his beloved plane books disappear as well. Curiosity and empathy set things right in this “seamless mix of magic and relatable classroom drama” (Publishers Weekly). |
|
| The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel by Michael RexClad in a hard hat and wielding a shovel, the tunneler (a penguin) tunnels to each of his neighbors (also penguins) to deliver mysterious invitations. Cartoony illustrations of each penguin’s activities (gardening, dancing, banking, etc.) will help children decode the less-familiar vocabulary words in this amusing easy reader. |
|
| Recess by Lane SmithStructured around a run-of-the-mill school day, this irresistibly interactive book offers kids a series of short "recesses" in which they’re prompted to shake, stomp, quack, or yell "BANANAS!," among other silly activities. Hilarious asides from the narrator add even more humor to this exuberant romp. For fans of: B.J. Novak's The Book With No Pictures. |
|
| Mr. S by Monica ArnaldoArriving for their first day of kindergarten with Mr. S, a group of students find themselves alone -- except for the sandwich on the teacher’s desk. Is this their new teacher? Playful classroom hijinks will provoke giggles, while eagle-eyed readers will enjoy watching the real Mr. S. battle mayhem outside the classroom window. |
|
| The First Week of School by Drew BeckmeyerIt's just a typical first week of school: a teacher, a classroom pet, kids with mixed emotions, and...an alien? Closely observed crayon art and an unusual, extraterrestrial perspective distinguish this funny, feel-good read. |
|
|
|
Ruby's tools for making friends
by Apryl Stott
During her first day at a new school, Ruby, a shy little fox who uses tools to overcome anxiety, wonders if her tools can help her find the confidence to speak up in class and maybe even make some new friends. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
|
|
| Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry MoStarting school in suburban America after moving from Hong Kong is daunting and lonely for Jun. But the food in her lunch box provides some much-needed home comfort, and -- eventually -- a way to approach new friends. Read-alikes: Young Vo's Gibberish; Jenny Liao’s Everyone Loves Lunchtime But Zia. |
|
|
|
The King of Kindergarten
by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
What it is: a buoyant slice-of-life story in which a kindergartner’s first day of school gets the royal treatment.
What happens: Kids can follow one confident boy as he wakes up, the sun behind his head “like a crown,” and rides “a big yellow carriage” to the “grand fortress” of his school, where he learns about shapes, letters, numbers, and making new friends.
Who it’s for: anxious kindergartners in need of encouragement.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|