Does your child have first day jitters? Are they already starting to worry about their new teacher? Thankfully there are some great back to school books that can help you talk to your child about those worries.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn – In this beautiful story, a little raccoon is fearful of his first day at school. His mother has a simple, but effective way of relieving his fears and reminding him that she is always watching over him.
Pete the Cat Rocking in my School Shoes by Eric Litwin – This book about Pete the Cat introduces children to the different parts of their school as he rocks around in his school shoes.
David Goes to School by David Shannon – You can use the wild and funny antics of young David to talk to your children about what behaviors will be expected of them at school.
My Teacher Sleeps in School by Leatie Weiss – You may be surprised at what your child will think about their new teacher. The children in this book think that their teacher lives at school because she is always there before them and stays after they leave. You can use this book to talk about how teachers are just like other adults who have fun, make mistakes, and have families and lives outside of school.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt – If your child struggles academically, then this is a great book for them to read. Ally hides her school struggles until a teacher really reaches out to her and helps her. As the story progresses, Ally learns that her dyslexia does not have to control her or limit her potential. It’s an inspiring book for any child who struggles to read or learn.
The Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla – Gregory is starting a new school and has trouble making friends. Things change when he finds a piece of chalk and begins drawing pictures with it. This uplifting book will encourage children who are worried about making friends.
The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman – Students fed up with homework decide to build a homework machine in this clever story. Soon the students must figure out how to put a stop to the machine as adults start to question what is happening. This book opens the door to discussions about hard work and honesty.
So if your child is worried about starting school again this year, some of these books may help. Read them with your child and discuss the problems that the characters have. These discussions will help you set your child’s mind at ease about the coming school year. What other books do you read with your children before school starts?