On the Shelf: School Days
“My First Day” series
By Louise Martin, illustrated by Joanne Partis (Preschool, Kindergarten) and Denise Hughes (First Grade) (Sourcebooks, ages 3 and older)
Choose your child’s stage with this series. Featuring “First Day” help for Preschool, Kindergarten or First Grade, each one of these terrific books gently and sweetly walks children through the nervousness part of starting something new, while celebrating the things that make each stage fun. These are great keepsakes, with a “Well Done” certificate to personalize at the end.
“On the Night Before Kindergarten”
By Rosemary Wells (Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ages 4 – 8)
Little ones might be scared about starting kindergarten, but parents have their own fears about that transition. Rosemary Wells works her usual magic with this tale. It is one to read all year, but especially for those nights before preschool or big school.
“Oakley the Squirrel: Camping 123!”
By Nancy Rose (Workman Publishing, birth through preschool)
When squirrels started raiding Nancy Rose’s birdfeeders, she started feeding them, too. Soon, she started creating props and taking pictures of the squirrels that came to visit. The result is a series of adorable books that will leave little ones in giggles. In this latest tale, counting adds some learning to the mix. This board book is great for the youngest children to “read” on their own, too.
“Meet the Megafauna!”
By Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Quang and Lien (Workman Publishing, ages 7 – 10)
If you have a kiddo who loves dinosaurs, this is a natural extension of that curiosity. Some of these giant animals are long since extinct (like the giant wombat that clocked in at 12 feet long) and others are still among us (the largest animal to ever live on Earth – the Blue Whale). This book is super high interest for nonfiction loving kids. Be prepared for a barrage of facts after they are done!
“Mindy Kim and the Summer Musical”
By Lyla Lee, illustrated by Dung Ho (Simon & Schuster, ages 6 – 9)
Mindy is back with a new adventure. And yes, it is another story that is perfect for new chapter book readers. Mindy Kim learns about herself and gets ready for a big change in her family. This is fun, sweet reading for early elementary children.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: On the Shelf: School Days
