Get Your Year off to a Great Start with Must-Have Books!

Summer is drawing to a close and {GULP} the beginning of a new school year is just around the corner!  Here are some great picture books that will help ease the transition for your students and get your year off to a great start.

 

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?, Jane Yolen and Mark Teague – Part of the very popular series, this book reviews the routines of a classroom, but with a dinosaur twist.  Enjoy the rhyming fun and join some enormous new students as they learn how to raise their hands, help others, and clean up.  This book is sure to inject a little fun into your story time and some giggles, too.

 

Llama Llama Misses Mama, Anna Dewdney – This sweet book is part of the series that started with Llama, Llama, Red Pajama.  Told in rhyming couplets, it follows little llama through the process of getting ready for school the night before and dealing with saying good bye to Mom.  Little llama misses his mother, but slowly learns to enjoy his time at school.  The super sweet illustrations add to an adorable story.

Chrysanthemum, Kevin Henkes – From the author of  Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, comes this wonderful story about a mouse who discovers her name is unusual when she starts kindergarten.  Her classmates tease her mercilessly and Chrysanthemum struggles to cope.  This story provides a wonderful opportunity for a discussion about being a good friend, particularly at the beginning of the year as we start to build our classroom environment and rules.

Looking for more ideas?  Check out last year’s list of great books for the beginning of the year.  Have a favorite book to help get the year off to a great start?  What books will you be sharing with your new class this month?