Back to School: Books to Promote Good School Habits
Back to School: Part 2
Along with starting a new adventure like going to school, there are some expectations about behaviors, such as waiting your turn, making friends, avoiding bullying, and trying your best.
These books highlight the best attitudes needed to get along with other kids and teachers.
We have listed some titles to help discuss the first day of school, both physical books and digital. And, included are books in Spanish, in our children’s collection, indicated by –>.
The physical books are linked to Williamson County Public Library’s Online Catalog – you can simply choose to hold them, after signing in to the Catalog with your library card number. Then, wait for confirmation from Circulation and pick up your holds between 9am and 10am Monday through Saturday for minimal contact; or you can come into the Library between 10am and 6pm Monday through Friday and 10am and 1pm on Saturday to retrieve your holds from Circulation. Please note that these are the hours for the Main Franklin Branch, Nolensville, and Fairview Branches only. Please visit Williamson County Public Library’s website for the Leiper’s Fork and Bethesda Branches availability.
Also linked are those titles available as electronic books and audio books (through Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. and your library card number).
Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind by Jessica Hische
A gentle picture book on ways big and small to be kind to others.
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Culer; illustrated by Sachiko Yohikawa. Mrs. Ruler guides her students in discovering ways of being kind to their family members, their community, and each other.
The Cool Bean by Jory John; illustrations by Pete Oswald.
Friendship is hard when you’re not quite a cool bean. A nuanced look at dealing with popularity.
EBOOK: The Cool Bean
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates! By Ryan T. Higgins.
Penelope the dinosaur wants so badly to make friends…but keeps accidentally eating her classmates. A hilarious and fun look at how to make and keep friends.
EBOOK: We Don’t Eat Our Classmates!
Two by Kathryn Otoshi. One and Two were best friends until Three showed up. A story about feeling left out and including others. Browse Kathryn Otoshi’s other books about recognizing feelings:
Zero by Kathryn Otoshi. Zero, dismayed by her big, empty, roundness, tries to force herself into the shape of the much-admired One, but must finally accept that she can only be Zero.
One by Kathryn Otoshi. A number/color book reminding us that it just takes one to make everyone count.
Marco Goes to School by Roz Chast. Marco the bird is eager to start school because he wants to learn how to reach the moon, and although he does not accomplish that on his first day, he does make a new friend.
Rulers of the Playground by Joseph Kuefler. One morning, Jonah decided to become ruler of the playground. Everyone agreed to obey his rules to play in King Jonah’s kingdom, except for Lennox. She wanted to rule the playground, too. A hilarious tale of playground antics.
Waiting is not easy! by Mo Willems.
Gerald the elephant does not like to wait even for Piggie’s special surprise.
–> ¡Esperar No es Faćil! by Mo Willems, adaptado al español por F. Isabel Campoy
Are We Pears Yet? By Miranda Paul; illustrated by Carin Berger. Two seeds can’t wait to be pears, but growing takes time and patience.
How to read a book by Kwame Alexander; art by Melissa Sweet. A beautiful ode to loving and enjoying reading through poetry and illustrations.
How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills. A little yellow bird teaches Rocket the dog how to read by first introducing him to the “wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet.”
EBOOK: How Rocket Learned to Read
Flight School by Lita Judge
Little penguin wants to badly to learn how to fly! A story of determination despite obstacles.
We hope you are able to enjoy a copy of one or more of these books with your children! We will post next with suggestions of books to supplement and compliment the some of the Kindergarten and First grade curriculum taught at Williamson County Schools and the Franklin Special School district.
Please reach out to us with suggestions of questions; we will help as much as possible.
Dori Duff, Reference Department/Rachel Ernst, Children’s Department