Picture Book Review: School Books

 

Here's a few more school picture books:

This book shares the lead up to the end of the summer and the first moments of school.

I love the when this happens then this happens push and pull of this book. This book is part of a series - not with the same characters, but with the same set-up. 

Sometimes you just need a day off from school - but what happens when you've accomplished all your goals and still have half the day left? What happens when your imagination runs while and you think about ALL that you're missing out on?

This is a funny picture book about getting to miss school and then missing school. I do love all the imaginative things that could have happened while you're not there. 

* picture book sent for review

All the creatures in the lake go to school - fish go to fish school, lizards go to lizard school, and frogs for to frog school. But Axl isn't sure where to go. What kind of creature is he?

Poor Axl has a hard time figuring out where he belongs. There are some funny moments. There are no parents. But there is a moment where Axl realizes he's not like any of the other lake creatures. And that's ok. I love this message. 

* This book was sent for review

** There are Axolotl facts at the back of the book

Learning can be different for everyone - there's not one way to learn. This picture book highlights some of those ways. 

I really loved how this book created space for all types of learning. The illustrations are soft. There are diverse characters. I love how you can tell which kid learns different with each new teaching moment.  This will make an excellent book to jump start a discussion.

* This book was sent for review

Picture Book Wednesday: School Books (2)

 

More school picture books:

Lupe wants nothing more than to be a famous rock star - so much so that she has trouble following the rules. She marches to her own beat, but she does make friends, and she does listen to them.

Lupe is awesome! I love her determination and her confidence. I love the ending of this one! 

Lupe has trouble reading - but thanks to her musical skills, she's able to figure out a code that works for her.

Bullies, friendship, and a patient teacher make this book one to share. And obviously I love how this one shares the importance of reading. 

Ms. Perry welcomes everyone in the class. She wants to create a KIND classroom. Together, she has the class come up with rules.

It's a sweet story about kindness, friendship, and helping others. It's a little long for a read-aloud. But I do love the author's note about kindness and how to help people. The Kindness Pledge is included. 

Kitten is excited about going to school for the first time. 

I love how everyone is involved and sweet to each other. The ending is great!

School supplies parents share their love with their kids. 

Not exactly a going to school book, but the school supplies are adorable. The sweetness and the puns are fantastic. The illustrations are fun and the colors are bright. I loved it - this is a cute one to share.

Picture Book Wednesday: Calvin

Calvin has always been a boy - even if he was born a girl. He faces telling his family - who are super supportive. They shop for new clothes and take him for a new haircut. He's nervous about starting school but with support, he's able to be himself.

An important story that showcases support, being yourself, and letting all the what-if questions melt away. Calvin has a great friends and family. 

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries

Picture Book Wednesday: School Books

For many kids, back to school has already happened and for many more, it's right around the corner.

Here are some picture books about going to school:

Kayla has the first day jitters, but when her teacher makes all kinds of mistakes, she's there to help correct them.

A funny book about mistakes, the first day of school, and helping others.

This book isn't technically about school, but it all leads up to going to school. A sweet story about growing up and changes.

Amira's picture day at school is also the celebration of Eid - she's heartbroken when she can't do both. A great book to share and talk about Ramadan and Eid - but also about anxiety and missing out on something big.

A counting book with fun illustrations and a great message about community.

 

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.

Graphic Novel Review: The New Kid

There's nothing Jordan wants more than being able to go to art school. But instead, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school - known for academic achievement.

Jordan doesn't seem many other students of color at this school. He sticks out. He tries to blend in and go unnoticed, but before long he begins to understand racism exists everywhere - even under good intentions.

My Thoughts: Wow, this graphic novel packs a punch on classicism, privilege, wealth, assumptions, and navigating the halls of junior high. I couldn't put this book down - it lived up to the all Hype. 

I did love how the story took place over one year and how much Jordan grew up in that one year. I loved the artwork interspersed with the story. I loved how he found his friends and how they each had something they didn't want to be judged for either. 

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: my library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries. This is a book that should be on school summer reading lists and/or curriculum lists and talked about extensively. It's one of those books that everyone should read.

Picture Book Review: What the Dinosaurs Did at School

When no one is looking, the dinosaurs get into massive trouble at school.

Another fun dinosaur book (sequel to What the Dinosaurs Did Last Night). I loved the photographs, they told the story. I loved how the dinosaurs created havoc wherever they went - like the library, the gym, the art room, and the cafeteria! Hilarious. Perfect for reading again and again while pouring over the pictures!

Top Ten Tuesday: School Books

This week's topic is school books and I'm going with middle grade reads. Enjoy!

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

Want to Read: