Nothing is more exciting (and more nerve wracking) than the first day of school! Sharing a book with your students is an important way to connect, set expectations and relieve first day jitters. Below are my favorite books to start the school year on a positive note.
1. The Kissing Hand
How could I not? This is a first day classic for a reason. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a touching story about a little raccoon who is scared for his first day at school. Chester's mom kisses his hand so that he can take her kiss to school and be comforted by her presence. This heartwarming tale can be paired with a variety of craft activities to help your little ones settle in to the new school year and grow used to being apart from their grown ups.
2. All the Ways to Be Smart
All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell is a gorgeous rhyming book full of colorful illustrations that capture students' attention. It challenges traditional beliefs about what it means to be smart and celebrates all the different qualities that are unique to us. Every child who reads this joyous book will find something that affirms their diverse talents. This is another book which lends itself nicely to start of the year crafts, I have a rainbow craft that makes a fabulous and eye-catching door display available in my TPT store.
3. Blue Flower
Blue Flower by Sonya Hartnett is a touching and heartwarming tale of a young girl who finds herself out of place and scared at school. Through her love of art she discovers that her individual differences and creativity are what make her special. This gentle exploration of individuality and emotion make for a truly special book your students will request time and time again.
4. Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
Simple metaphors of bucket filling and dipping helps children to see how their actions affect both themselves and others. A wonderful book to encourage students to express kindness and care for their peers and nurture empathy in your classroom. There are also a plethora of fantastic crafty activities to go with the book available on TPT!
5. Our Class is a Family
This book perfectly highlights just how expansive our job as teachers is! This is a wonderful book that helps you to build a sense of community in your classroom from the first day. Your students will learn that their classroom is a safe place for them to learn, make mistakes, and most importantly a place for them to be a friend to others. Like many of the others on this list, there are a tonne of great activities to paired with this heartfelt read available online.
6. A Letter From Your Teacher
Another beautifully written and heartfelt story from Shannon Olsen, A Letter From Your Teacher (On the First Day of School) is an encouraging story that helps teacher welcome their new students on the first day of school. Perhaps the most lovely aspect of all, is that the last page has a blank space for you to sign your name so your students know the sincere message of care, guidance and love is coming straight from you!
7. Invisible Boy
Finishing my list of perfect start of the year books is Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. This gentle story teaches children that small acts of kindness make a big difference. Brian the invisible boy goes most days unnoticed by his peers until Justin the new kid joins school, and he and Brian team up for a project. This poignant and tender book sensitively addresses the isolation that can plague our quieter students, and encourages the more extroverted among them to express the simple act of friendship to all.
