Off to School

This story originally appeared in Children's Bookshelf on August 17, 2006 Sign up now!

-- Publishers Weekly, 8/17/2006

This time of year can be filled with anxiety for kids who are just starting school. We asked children’s booksellers to recommend a few of their favorite titles, to help ease those back-to-school butterflies.

A Place Called Kindergarten by Jessica Harper has the sweetest pictures by G. Brian Karas [Putnam, 0-399-24226-0]. The animals in the barn wonder where their friend Tommy can be. The dog has the inside scoop—he’s gone to a place called Kindergarten. They are excited and worried at the same time and keep a watchful eye for his return. This story has a great perspective and is different than the run-of-the-mill “off to school for the first time” story. Karas does a fabulous job (as always) making the animals seem just right. I love this book and I think every kindergartener should have it! It makes kindergarten and learning the happy events they can and should be.

Anna Hutchison, The Bookworm, Omaha, Neb., talks up three backlist favorites.

First Day Jitters [by Julie Danneberg, illus. by Judith Dufour Love, Charlesbridge, 1-58089-054-7] is a title that just seems to grab kids, because they’re nervous about going to school. The characters are animals, and have really emotional faces. The cover itself is what sells it.

The Night Before Kindergarten [by Julie Durrell, illus. by Natasha Wing, Grosset & Dunlap, 0-448-42500-9] is a little 8x8 paperback, and it sells really well every year.

The Miss Bindergarten books [by Joseph Slate, illus. by Ashley Wolff, Dutton/Puffin] are very popular with the teachers especially. The books are bright and colorful, and we really like them.

Valerie Koehler, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Tex., suggests a new title she’s highlighting.

What Do Teachers Do (After You Leave School)? [by Anne Bowen, illus by Barry Gott, Carolrhoda, 1-57505-922-3] reminds all of us that teachers have a life outside of the classroom. Kids just don’t see it! The colorful illustrations and catchy rhymes make for a great intro for the new teacher to begin a new school year.

Heidi Allwood, Little Bookworms, Bradenton, Fla. has two recommendations.

Totally Wonderful Miss Plumberry is new from Candlewick [by Michael Rosen, illus. by Chinlun Lee, 0-7636-2744-5]. I love it because it is reassuring to young children who may be apprehensive about starting school and making friends. It celebrates teachers and how they can have a profound effect on kids through even the simplest interactions.

School Years: A Family Keepsake of School Memories from Chronicle [0-8118-5153-2] has been a great seller for us. It has a fun, retro feel and is a great way for parents to record their children’s school milestones. Each grade level has an envelope for keeping report cards, photos, etc.

Natasha Fleischman, The Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, Minn., suggests a perennial bestseller.

My favorite back-to-school book is The Kissing Hand [by Audrey Penn, Tanglewood Press, 1-933718-00-5]. I’ve been reading it to my boys since they began school. They are now in third and sixth grade and still have me read it to them the day before school starts. We always have parents looking for that book at this time of year.