Picture Book Wednesday: Back to School Books

Just a few picture books and board books for going back to school. 

I figure at this point, most kids are back at school.

This board book introduces readers to different tools they will use in school. The text rhymes. The illustrations are cute with lots of emotions on the object's faces.

* board book sent for review 

The first week of school has all kinds of emotions, meeting new friends, STEAM projects, and discovering new things.

The first week of school can be hard, but this week is unusual for sure. I like the book's set up - there's a lot going on within the page spreads and the text follows the illustrations. This is a picture book to pour over.

** Book sent for review

The security guard is making sure the school is all set for the night - but one creature is still wandering the halls.

This book is super cute as the creature moves from classroom to classroom, the reader sees the whole school. This will be a fun book to share. 

Review: Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple

 

Bibsy is in third grade and she's having a tough time. She always wants to share. Her teacher moves apples in the tree lower and lower if a child misbehaves. Bibsy's apple get quite low most days. So far, she's never gotten a hole punched in her apple. Everyone knows that means your rotten.  But one day, that hole punch comes out. And she feels horrible.

My Thoughts: I felt so bad for Bibsy. Yes, she likes to share information and her knowledge with everyone. And I can see how that would be annoying. I'm glad she finds her voice at the end of the story. I did enjoy the way apples were woven into the science fair experiment. It was clever. A fun back to school chapter books.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - fits in perfectly with the story. 

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Recommended for your school and public library collection.

It's nice to see a back-to-school chapter book, we often see pictures books about going back to school, but older students have a hard time adjusting to new classrooms and new teachers too. 

Picture Book Review: This is a School

It's almost back to school time in New England. I'm reading this in a Back to School storytime at the library next week and I'm really excited. 

First off, I was excited because it's a Mr. Schu book. If you don't know Mr. Schu, he's used to be a school librarian, then was Scholastic Ambassador for school librarians and book fairs. Now he writes books and travels to visit schools. One day I hope to meet him - he's wicked passionate about books. 

This is a School - is a celebration of everything that makes up a school from the teacher to the students to the library to the cafeteria and everyone who works at the school. I love the messages of community and togetherness. The illustrations are lovely and diverse. 

Library Recommendation: This is a must have book for your collection. 

Picture Book Review: Back to School Books (part 3)

I've read a few back to school books this year - some sent for review from publishers and some purchased for the library.  Some old books and some new books. This is the final and third part. Check out parts one and two. 

Princess Power:

A young girl is inspired by several Disney Princesses to rule her first day at a new school. I enjoyed this clever book - using the guidance of Princesses throughout the day. 

I Got the School Spirit:

This book is part of a really great series. A young girl looks forward to the first day of school, but realizes that not everyone is excited. She shares some of her spirit and makes a new friend. Of course I loved the spread about listening to the story. And I loved the message about how important it is to learn.

Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies

Theo does not love writing - but with some help from his friends, he starts to write all the things. His bear friend stays by his side helping solve his writing problems. Good story about friendship and writing. This is also the third book in a series.

When My Brother Gets Home:

A young girl and her dog wait for her brother to get home from school so they can play together. She has so many ideas on what they can do. A sweet sibling story that's perfect to share when older kids go off to school. I loved the illustrations in the story.

Picture Book Wednesday: Back to School Books (part 2)

I've read a few back to school books this year - some sent for review from publishers and some purchased for the library.  Some old books and some new books. This is part two. If you missed the first one, click here.

Lola Goes to School:

It's Lola's first day at school and it goes really well. It's over before she knows it. Another great addition to the Lola books.

Harlem Grown:

Right across the street from a school, there's an empty lot filled with trash. It would make the perfect garden. That's exactly what happens in this story about learning about gardening and making the world a little brighter.

Max and Mo's Science Fair Surprise:

The classroom children are getting ready for the science fair. The two hamsters want to take part too. So they sneak out of their cage to discover a science project for themselves. A fun addition to this series.

Rescuing Mrs. Birdley:

Miranda sees her teacher in the grocery store, but she knows that all the teachers live at the school. Plus Miranda's an expert at watching nature programs. She decides to take matters into her own hands and return the teacher back where she belongs. A funny story about seeing teachers outside of school. 

Butterflies on the First Day of School:

Rosie can't wait for school to start. But the night before she gets nervous - really nervous. Her mom tries to help her, saying her nerves are just butterflies. But when Rosie opens her mouth on the bus, a butter flies out! A great story about kindness, friendship, and being nervous. 

Best Seat in Kindergarten:

It's Sam's first day of school! He's excited when the class goes outside on a nature walk. At the end of the walk, there will be a show and tell. Sam's too busy helping his classmates find what they're looking for to search for himself. But what he found was better. A sweet story about friendship and starting school off on the right foot.

Pirates Don't Go to Kindergarten:

Emma doesn't want to start Kindergarten, she wants to rule Pre-K still. Everything feels wrong in Kindergarten, plus change is scary. But she gets where she needs to be in the end - without walking the plank. This is a fun story about change, accepting new things, and lots of imagination. 

Grown-ups (and the dog) decide they want to go to school instead of going to work. They want to have fun too; of course the kids are not thrilled at the idea. There's a compromise. This silly fun book is a great way to ease into going to school.

Picture Book Review: Back to School Books (part 1)

I've read a few back to school books this year - some sent for review from publishers and some purchased for the library.  Some old books and some new books. This will be in two parts.

Take Your Pet to School:

The pets are lonely when the kids go to school; they want to go too. The snaky pets get their wish and of course, it's a disaster.  This book was funny with cute illustrations.

Click Clack Quack for School: 

The animals are invited to school. but are surprised when they're told to behave. Rules are rules (and are made to be broken). A fun addition to this series.

Clothesline Clues to the First Day of School:

Who will the students meet on the first day of school? A fun introduction to people at the schools. The range is great and the cast is diverse. I'm a little sad there's no school librarian though. 

Come Sit with Me:

Students in this book can't decide how to paint the new buddy bench for the playground. I love how they used everyone's idea.  This diverse story shares a great message about being kind and using everyone's idea. I loved the bright colors and art ideas shared. I also loved that it included a history of the buddy bench.

I'm Feeling School Bus Yellow:

A bus shaped board book that shares colors and feelings about school. Of course I loved the library scene the best. A great story to use to talk about emotions and the love for school with fun illustrations. 

Style Rules:

Destiny recently moved and is starting a new school. But it's bigger than she imagined and the uniforms are so plain. She's worried that she'll get lost in the crowd until she has a brilliant idea and starts a revolution. I love the book's message about being yourself and being creative and thinking outside the book. Great illustration makes this book stand out. 

(This is the second book in this series)

Amelia Bedelia Gets the Picture:

Picture day is ruined when the photographer is sick and cancels. But Amelia Bedelia has an idea to save everything. This quirky girl is one of my favorite characters; I'm always happy to read a new book featuring her.