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6 Books for Kids Starting at a New School
The first day of school is just around the corner (how is that even possible??) and with it, all of the excitement and nerves that a new school year brings. This experience can be fun, but also fraught with emotion, particularly if your child is starting at a new school. I switched schools in the third grade, and even though it ended up being fabulous, the first week was a little tough. New friends, new teachers, new hallways; so much “new” can sometimes get overwhelming. One way to prepare and get everyone excited, aside from stocking up on fresh pencils and backpacks, is to read some fun books that take you through the experience. School’s in session!
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First Day Jitters, by Julie Danneberg and Judy Love
Sarah Jane Hartwell is about to start a new school, where she doesn’t know anyone, and she’d rather just hide under the covers. She finally gets out of bed and makes it to school, where the principal introduces her to her new class. But is she a student or…the teacher? Fun twist ahead!
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How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?, by Jane Jolen and Mark Teague
Another fantastic book in the How Do Dinosaurs…? series, this edition has our prehistoric friends back in the classroom. I mean, how much fun would it be to show up at your first day of school and have a dinosaur in your class?! But will they behave? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
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Wemberly Worried, by Kevin Henkes
Ok, I admit, I’m a worrier! If something may go wrong, I’ve already assumed that it will go wrong and played it out through the worst case scenario. So little Wemberly is a mouse after my own (anxious) heart. The first day of nursery school is around the corner, and Wemberly is worried about this “more than anything she had worried about before.” What if she hates the snack and can’t find the bathroom? Luckily, it turns out Wemberly didn’t have anything to worry about after all!
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Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School, by Herman Parish and Lynne Avril
I personally think that the best way to deal with scary new experiences is with humor, and since I was a kid myself Amelia Bedlia books have always make me laugh out loud. Our literal-minded protagonist is about to start her first day of school. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty! Imagine gluing yourself to your seat for starters. Oops! Your little ones will be laughing so much they may just forget about their own new school anxieties.
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The Night Before Preschool, by Natasha Wing and Amy Wummer
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…Ooops, wrong book! This version of the familiar holiday poem tells the story of a boy named Billy who is extremely nervous to start his first day at a new preschool. He can’t sleep thinking about all that can go wrong at his new school. Don’t worry, soon he won’t be able to sleep, but this time it’ll be because he’s having too much fun!
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Beatrice’s Goat, by Page McBrier and Lori Lohstoeter
Another technique for dealing with jitters is to focus on gratitude instead. Something we often take for granted here in the USA, is that we get (and in fact are required) to go to school starting at a young age. How lucky are we? This inspiring picture book, based on a true story, is about a girl named Beatrice who lives in Uganda and wants to go to school more than anything in the world. Unfortunately her family can’t afford to send her, but the arrival of a new goat may just make Beatrice’s dream come true. (Bonus—there’s an afterword by Hillary Rodham Clinton!)
What are your favorite books to calm new school fears?