The beginning of a new school year is a good time to share books about school, making new friends and adapting to new circumstances. These (brand new) titles are great to read aloud and help students to settle into a new school year, a new class or even a new country.
See You Later, Alligator by Lana Button, illustrated by Noémie Gionet Landry is the perfect picture book to share with young students at the beginning of a new school year. Flora knows that she can do it. Just one hug before she leaves her moms at the door to school. One hug and one more kiss. But it’s reassuring to go back and make sure, just for one more kiss. It takes Flora several tries but eventually her teacher and classmates welcome her to their classroom and Flora is relieved that she had the courage to say goodbye. Just one more wave through the window and one more fun ‘See you later, alligator’ variety.
ISBN978-1-4431-9885-1, Scholastic Canada
Out of The Blue by Wallace Edwards is illustrated in a very different styles from most of Edwards’ other books but created with the same rich imagination. Ernest is flying his kite when it gets stuck in a tree. He will need help getting it out. Then a loud sound and a crash make him wonder what happened. He climbs a steep mountain and discovers… a terrible monster! Ernest and the monster are equally scared and hide from each. Until they realize that maybe there’s no need to be afraid. Even though they each speak a different language, they laugh and make friends. Ernest helps his new, alien friend to fix his spaceship. And his new friend helps Ernest to retrieve his kite. A story that shows you can make friends even if you don’t know each other’s language.
ISBN 978-1-4431-4872-6, North Winds Press
You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What) by Taraji P. Henson is the story of Lil TJ as she goes to school for the first time. Lil TJ has a magnificent dog and a loving Grandma who lives far away but whom she talks to every day. And Lil TJ can’t wait to start school, learn new things and make a million new friends. But when school starts, all she seems to do is annoy people. Beau, a boy in her class, does not like her art or her music. He says she talks too loud and that her lunch is weird. Poor Lil TJ becomes sad about school and having a bully instead of a friend. But Grandma explain just what she needs to do to be a good friend no matter what. And soon she and her classmates make music together, as friends. A good story to share at the beginning of a new school year.
ISBN 978-0-310-16059-5, Zonderkidz
The New Girl by Cassandra Calin is a graphic novel based on the artist’s own life. Lia does not want to move from her home country, Romenia, to live in Canada where she won’t have any friends nor speak the language. But her family is relocating and she has to say goodbye to friends and grandparents. Lia is not happy at her new school and having to learn French. On top of it all she gets her first period and struggles with all her problems. But slowly, Lia makes new friends who also came from other countries. Sometimes she has no idea what the teachers are saying but her new friends help her and she gradually finds her way in school and in life. She also pursues her passion of drawing when she is allowed to work on the school newspaper. This is a well executed books where both text and art tell the story of a teenager coping with a big move and the challenge of making new friends and learning a new language. Perfect for international students!
ISBN 978-1-338-76245-7, Scholastic Graphix
Please note that I will be working as a volunteer for The Book Bus in Zambia during August and may not be able to share new book recommendations until I return home to Canada.