Special Collections
Back to School (K-3) Read Alouds
Description: Reading aloud can be a powerful way to build community and shared understanding at the beginning of the school year. (Can be a part of your social/emotional learning curriculum.) #teachers
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The Recess Queen
by Alexis O'Neill and Laura Huliska-BeithA fresh and original twist on the common issue of bullying.
Mean Jean was Recess Queen and nobody said any different. Nobody swung until Mean Jean swung. Nobody kicked until Mean Jean kicked. Nobody bounced until Mean Jean bounced. If kids ever crossed her, she'd push 'em and smoosh 'em lollapaloosh 'em, hammer 'em, slammer 'em kitz and kajammer 'em.
Until a new kid came to school! With her irrepressible spirit, the new girl dethrones the reigning recess bully by becoming her friend in this infectious playground romp.
Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School
by Emily JenkinsAn acclaimed author and a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator team up to bring us a funny, warm, and utterly winning chapter book that follows, day by day, the first hundred days in one first grader's classroom.In just one hundred days, Harry will learn how to overcome first-day jitters, what a "family circle" is, why guinea pigs aren't scary after all, what a silent "e" is about, how to count to 100 in tons of different ways, and much more. He'll make great friends, celebrate lots of holidays, and learn how to use his words. In other words, he will become an expert first grader.Made up of one hundred short chapters and accompanied by tons of energetic illustrations from bestselling illustrator of The Good Egg and The Bad Seed, this is a chapter book all first graders will relate to--one that captures all the joys and sorrows of the first hundred days of school."Funny, original, and completely captivating." --R. J. Palacio, bestselling author of Wonder
Arnie the Doughnut
by Laurie KellerAt first glance, Arnie looks like an average doughnut―round, cakey, with a hole in the middle, iced and sprinkled. He was made by one of the best bakeries in town, and admittedly his sprinkles are candy-colored. Still, a doughnut is just a doughnut, right?
WRONG! Not if Arnie has anything to say about it. And, for a doughnut, he sure seems to have an awful lot to say. Can Arnie change the fate of all doughnuts―or at least have a hand in his own future? Well, you'll just have to read this funny story and find out for yourself.
Why Do You Cry? Not a Sob Story
by Kate KliseAs his fifth birthday party approaches, Little Rabbit decides to invite only those friends who are also too old to cry until he learns that others of all ages weep for all sorts of reasons.
Leo the Late Bloomer
by Robert KrausLeo isn't reading, or writing, or drawing, or even speaking, and his father is concerned. But Leo's mother isn't. She knows her son will do all those things, and more, when he's ready.
It's Mine!
by Leo LionniThree green frogs learn a lesson about being greedy and the importance of depending upon each other, with the help of a toad who lives on the same island they do. Leo Lionni, has won awards for his artistry in the United States and Worldwide. The scanner has added beautifully detailed descriptions of Leo Lionni's illustrations which will add to a child's enjoyment of this book.
Swimmy
by Leo LionniA Caldecott Honor Book. When a hungry tuna fish comes to call, Swimmy is the only little fish to survive. All alone, he explores the wonders of sea. At last he finds a new school of fish, and discovers a way that they can safely explore together.
The Loud Book!
by Deborah Underwood and Renata LiwskaBANG!CRACKLE!BOO!Just like there are lots of quiets, there are also lots of louds:Good louds(HOORAY!)and bad louds(CRASH!) And louds that make you feel like you arethe center of attention (BURP!).The Loud Book compiles all these kid-friendly noisesfrom morning to night,in a way that is sure to make readersCHEER!
The Day You Begin
by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael LópezNational Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and two-time Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner Rafael López have teamed up to create a poignant, yet heartening book about finding courage to connect, even when you feel scared and alone. There will be times when you walk into a room and no one there is quite like you. There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from; maybe it's what you eat, or something just as random. It's not easy to take those first steps into a place where nobody really knows you yet, but somehow you do it. Jacqueline Woodson's lyrical text and Rafael López's dazzling art reminds us that we all feel like outsiders sometimes-and how brave it is that we go forth anyway. And that sometimes, when we reach out and begin to share our stories, others will be happy to meet us halfway.
Gooney Bird Greene
by Lois Lowry and Middy ThomasFrom the moment Gooney Bird Greene arrives at Watertower Elementary School, her fellow second-graders are intrigued by her unique sense of style and her unusual lunches. So when story time arrives, the choice is unanimous: they want to hear about Gooney Bird Greene. And that suits her just fine, because, as it turns out, Gooney Bird has quite a few interesting and "absolutely true" stories to tell.Through Gooney Bird and her tales, acclaimed author Lois Lowry introduces young readers to the concepts and elements of storytelling. By demonstrating some of the simple techniques that reveal the extraordinary in everyday events, this book will encourage the storyteller in everyone.
Word After Word After Word
by Patricia MaclachlanEvery school day feels the same for fourth graders Lucy and Henry and Evie and Russell and May. Then Ms. Mirabel comes to their class-bringing magical words and a whole new way of seeing and understanding. From beloved author Patricia MacLachlan comes an honest, inspiring story about what is real and what is unreal, and about the ways that writing can change our lives and connect us to our own stories-word after word after word.
Touch the Sky
by Ann Malaspina and Eric VelasquezBare feet shouldn't fly.Long legs shouldn't spin,Braids shouldn't flap in the wind."Sit on the porch and be a lady," Papa scolded Alice.In Alice's Georgia hometown, there was no track where an African American girl could practice, so she made her own crossbar with sticks and rags. With the support of her coach, friends, and community, Alice started to win medals. Her dream to compete at the Olympics came true in 1948. This is an inspiring free-verse story of the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal. Photos of Alice Coachman are also included.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?
by Carol Mccloud and David MessingThrough sweet, simple prose, this heartwarming book encourages positive behaviour as children see how very easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation and love on a daily basis. This wonderful book is a winner of seven awards .
Enemy Pie
by Derek MunsonIt was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies: Enemy Pie. But part of the secret recipe is spending an entire day playing with the enemy! In this funny yet endearing story, one little boy learns an effective recipe for turning your best enemy into your best friend. Enemy Pie serves up a sweet lesson in the difficulties and ultimate rewards of making new friends.
The Book With No Pictures
by B. J. NovakA book with no pictures, where the person reading has to read out loud has to say all the silly things written in the book. That includes using silly words and singing silly songs.
I'm New Here
by Anne Sibley O'BrienThree children from other countries (Somalia. Guatemala, and Korea) struggle to adjust to their new home and school in the United States.
Wonder
by R. J. PalacioI won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school.
Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid--but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face.
WONDER, now a New York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel "a meditation on kindness" --indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship.
Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.
It's Okay To Be Different
by Todd ParrIllustrations and brief text describe all kinds of differences that are "okay," such as "It's okay to be a different color," "It's okay to need some help," "It's okay to be adopted," and "It's okay to have a different nose."
If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't!
by Elise ParsleyNote to self: If your teacher tells you to bring something from nature for show-and-tell, she does not want you to bring an alligator!
But nothing will stop Magnolia, who's determined to have the best show-and-tell of all--until her reptilian rapscallion starts getting her into some major trouble.
Now it's up to Magnolia to find a way to send this troublemaker home--but what could possibly scare an alligator away?
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
by Mark Pett and Gary RubinsteinMeet Beatrice Bottomwell: a nine-year-old girl who has never (not once!) made a mistake.
She never forgets her math homework, she never wears mismatched socks, and she ALWAYS wins the yearly talent show at school.
In fact, Beatrice holds the record of perfection in her hometown, where she is known as The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes.
Life for Beatrice is sailing along pretty smoothly until she does the unthinkable–she makes her first mistake. And in a very public way!
The Rainbow Fish
by Marcus PfisterWhen the little blue fish asks the rainbow fish for just one of his beautiful, shiny scales, the rainbow fish says no and is quite grumpy about it. Word gets out, and soon no one will play with the rainbow fish. Will the great octopus be able to help?
Thank You Mr. Falker
by Patricia PolaccoThe real-life, classic story of a dyslexic girl and the teacher who would not let her fail. A perfect gift for teachers and for reading students of any age.
Patricia Polacco is now one of America's most loved children's book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school. Trisha could paint and draw beautifully, but when she looked at words on a page, all she could see was jumble. It took a very special teacher to recognize little Trisha's dyslexia: Mr. Falker, who encouraged her to overcome her reading disability. Patricia Polacco will never forget him, and neither will we.
Officer Buckle and Gloria
by Peggy RathmannOfficer Buckle is dedicated to teaching schoolchildren important safety tips, such as never put anything in your ear and never stand on a swivel chair. The problem is, Officer Buckle's school assemblies are dull, dull, dull, and the children of Napville just sleep, sleep, sleep. That is, until Gloria the police dog is invited along!
Ruby the Copycat
by Peggy RathmannIt's the first day of school, and Ruby is new. When her classmate Angela wears a red bow in her hair, Ruby comes back from lunch wearing a red bow, too. When Angela wears a flowered dress, suddenly Ruby's wearing one, too. Fortunately, Ruby's teacher knows a better way to help Ruby fit in--by showing how much fun it is to be herself!
Rain School
by James RumfordIt is the first day of school in Chad, Africa. Children are filling the road. "Will they give us a notebook?" Thomas asks. "Will they give us a pencil?” "Will I learn to read?" But when he and the other children arrive at the schoolyard, they find no classroom, no desks. Just a teacher. "We will build our school," she says. "This is our first lesson. " James Rumford, who lived in Chad as a Peace Corps volunteer, fills these pages with the vibrant colors of Africa and the spare words of a poet to show how important learning is in a country where only a few children are able to go to school.