Kicking off the School Year with Amazing Books!

I can't believe it's been 2 months of school! We have already read some amazing books in class. I wanted to share a few that you can find at your local library or bookstore and join in on the fun at home.

The Dot written & illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

One of the first books we read is The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds (find it in Spanish here). It is a story about a girl named Vashti who is feeling very frustrated because she isn't good at art. Her art teacher encourages her to "just make a mark." Vashti then goes from making an angry "jab" on a piece of paper to creating her own art gallery, full of dots, and even inspires another frustrated kid to make his own art, no matter what it looks like.

This is a great story for kids when they feel like they aren't good enough. Vashti will inspire them to do their best and find joy in something as simple as drawing dots!

The Invisible Boy written by Trudy Ludwig & illustrated by Patrice Barton

Every year, my students LOVE this book (find it in Spanish here). Brian isn't really invisible, but he sure feels like it. He is quiet, so he doesn't get noticed by his teachers and classmates. But then one day, a new student comes. His classmates make fun of the new student's food, so Brian writes him a special note saying his food looks delicious. Soon, Brian has a new friend and feels more confident at school!

I love this book because it empowers students who are shy. It's okay to be quiet! You don't have to be bold and loud to make a difference. This is a great book for students who have more reserved personalities, but it can inspire any kind of child! Maybe after reading this book, your child will pay more attention to the quiet wonders of this world.

Isabel and Her Colores Go to School written by Alexandra Alessandri & illustrated by Courtney Dawson

I always read this story about Isabel the first week of school (it's in both English and Spanish). Isabel is new to the country and doesn't speak English. She is very worried about school and can't seem to do anything right! "She felt as small and lost as a colibrí without its flowers." The illustrator does a phenomenal job of showcasing Isabel's feelings through color, and kids are truly able to sympathize with her. My favorite part is when Isabel finally makes a friend, even though they don't fully understand each other.

School can be scary enough without a language barrier, so this is a great book for any child who is hesitant about going to school. It also shows the power of friendship and the importance of having supportive adults to cheer children on!

The Magical Yet written by Angela DiTerlizzi & illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez

The Magical Yet is a beautifully illustrated and whimsically written story about the power of yet. "There are days when your dreams haven't come true, or you're upset by the things you can't do. If you've lost, or failed, or cried (just a bit), you're tired of waiting - ready to quit." I know I've had many days like these, and this is a feeling children deal with often. Has your child ever gotten frustrated that they don't understand math? Or maybe they just can't remember their spelling words? What about a science experiment gone wrong? Then this is the perfect book to read together! The Magical Yet inspires children to keep trying; yet is just around the corner.

I love finding books that teach resilience. If your child struggles to persevere, this book will inspire your child to try again and keep practicing. Life is much more fun when we take risks and never lose sight of the magical yet!