The Day the Crayons Made Friends
Author: Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Summary: Duncan's crayons have disappeared! They have gone exploring in his room, had exciting adventures and made new friends. Will Duncan be able to get them back in the box?
Recommended Ages: 4-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: Especially at the beginning of a new school year, kids can have anxiety about making friends in a new classroom. This funny new addition to the Crayon books can be a springboard to serious discussions on how to be a friend in new situations.
Extension Activities: Choose the link below to find some engaging activities! Click here!
Bitsy Bat, School Star
Author: Kaz Windness
Illustrator: Kaz Windness
Summary: Bitsy is a sweet little bat with huge dreams of making friends at school, but when she gets there, she realizes that she just does not quite fit in. Can Bitsy find her way to realize her dreams of new friends?
Recommended Ages: 5-8 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: Bitsy is different from the rest of her friends in her class. Her differences causes varied emotions for her and for her classmates. Help kids identify how Bitsy is feeling in each situation and how they can cope with those emotions.
Extension Activities: The activity linked below is for teachers and parents. Kaz Windness, author of Bitsy Bat talks about her passion for creating children's books as well as her own journey as a neurodivergent learner that hopefully can help adults understand their youngest friends with autism and the importance of inclusion. Click here!
Our School is a Family
Author: Shannon Olsen
Illustrator: Sandie Sonke
Summary: Most kids will think of a family as the people who live in their home. Our School is a Family explores how all the different people in their school can become part of an extended family, too!
Recommended Ages: 4-10 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: Every person working in a school is important and kids need to recognize each employees contribution to making a school a family. Identify all the players in a school and how their work helps make a school a success!
Extension Activities: After identifying all members of the school, have kids decide how they want to show their appreciation for the work each employee is responsible for!
Narwhal vs. Kindergarten
Author: Vanessa Roeder
Illustrator: Vanessa Roeder
Summary: Hugo's first day of Kindergarten is here, but he knows he has a problem. A very tall problem. How can Hugo and his classmates overcome this very tall problem?
Recommended Ages: 3-7 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts:
Extension Activities: Narwals are fun! Choose the link below to learn some fun facts about them and find activities to enrich their learning! Click here!
Tiny T. Rex and the First Day Oopsies
Author: Jonathat Stutzman
Illustrator: Jay Fleck
Summary: Tiny T. Rex is prepared and ready to go for the first day of school! Backpack packed, breakfast done and teeth brushed! How will the first day go for this tiny learner?
Recommended Ages: 3-5 years
Themes, Skills, & Concepts: We all make "oopsies" throughout any day of the week! The way we handle our oopsies makes all the difference in how we feel about ourselves. Have the kids brainstorm and name their own oopsies!
Extension Activities: Draw a cartoon t-rex with our friend Rob from Art Hub for Kids! Have the kids illustrate their "oopsies" at school that they brainstormed. Students can write about how they felt when oopsies happened! Click here!
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