Summer will end and school begins. I have collected some wonderful picture books to help youngsters, ages four through eight, prepare for their new classroom.
Maybe Just Ask Me!, by Katie Mazeika, is a book that every elementary grade classroom should read at the beginning of the school year! Whispers abound when a new student enters a classroom. Mazie is wearing an eyepatch. Rumors begin to spread when all Mazie desires is for her classmates to just ask her why she has an eye patch. Alas, she finally addresses her eye patch. You learn in the backstory that the author has based this on her own life. It can be so important to address differences because it reminds us that everyone is unique and to be tolerant and accepting to all.
On Our Way with Mr. Jay, by Chelsea Wallace and brightly illustrated using markers, pencils, and ink by Thera Heder, is a cleverly rhymed story that celebrates a hero that can be taken for granted: the bus driver. Mr Jay knows that he needs to get his children riders to school on time despite unpredictable circumstances. He comes through every time as well as becoming a dependable friend with each of his riders.
The Tour at School!, by Katie Clapham and vividly illustrated digitally by Nadia Shireen, is the perfect book to introduce young and new students to the school experience. This is not a tour of the building but more a tour of what this child could experience such as the echoey sounds in the bathroom or meeting the class pet: a fish. The way this book is written and illustrated is perfect to help melt away the first day jitters.
The Day the Crayons Made Friends, by Drew Daywalt and wonderfully illustrated using crayons, photographs and a bit of gouache paint by Oliver Jeffers, continues with this inventive series of crayons who go on wild adventures. This book has them searching around Duncan’s room where they discover many unique idiosyncratic items. Each crayon finds something that helps them feel special and brings out their special talents. The illustrations are great fun and often hilarious making a very unique book!
Pencil, by Hye-Eun Kim, is a wordless book that takes you through the life of a pencil. The colorful and wonderfully drawn pictures take you through the beginnings of this pencil beginning with a tree. The back of the book points out helpful advice on how to read through a wordless book successfully helping youngsters verbalize what they see.
Fall is for Beginnings, by Rajani LaRocca and colorfully illustrated digitally with watercolor texture by Abhi Alwar, celebrates new classrooms, new teachers and new friendships. Sometimes new kids seem to change the dynamics of friends. But ultimately it can be an exciting time for new beginnings.
Elvis & Romeo, by David Soman and Jacky Davis, is a fun and funny book that is perfect to read out loud! It’s about two very opposite canines who eventually become friends demonstrating to youngsters that with effort they can get along with unlikely classmates. Elvis is a serious bulldog who wants nothing to do with the lively energetic doodle, Romeo. This is where the antics, perfectly illustrated digitally, become humorous! How they become friends will make you smile.
Piece Out, by Alex Willan, is about a favorite family game when the red game piece falls to the floor as the game is being put away. Red must now survive the vacuum, bubblegum and pets. When he climbs higher than thought possible, he falls deep into a large aquarium. There’s much to learn from Red as he learns from his mistakes and continues to persevere. The adventures he encounters as well as the outcome will have youngsters desiring this to be reread over and over. The art is bright and done digitally.
You and Me, Anemone,by Rachel Vail and cleverly illustrated using watercolor, gouache, and fabric with embroidery yarn and burlap by the renowned Chris Raschka, celebrates individuality as well as getting along with others. This rhyming tale reflects the life of this underwater sea animal and likens it to children. Perhaps it likes to be alone, but it also can live in colonies. It teaches that we can respect others and also build friendships. Be sure to check out more information about these unusual creatures in the back with the author’s notes. 
Be Careful, Xiao Xin!, by Alice Peng and beautifully illustrated using Procrete and Clip Studio Paint by Sher Rill Ng, is a tender story about conquering your fears. Xiao believes he is a fearless warrior, but his family just wants him to be careful. How he can convince his family that he is capable of much more is inspiring. This book is presented in Chinese and English.
First Day Around the World, by Ibi Zoboi and nicely illustrated digitally by Juanita Londono, shows how children around the world experience a new first day of school. No matter where they live, and how they experience their day, each begins a new school year. For instance, in Mumbai, children share memories of the recent monsoon and in Russia children hold hands with the older children to help guide them through the halls.
