What better way to talk to kids about their big emotions than through a good story? Many of these books will leave both you and child laughing about funny characters and silly situations, but will also open the door for a conversation about worries, nervousness, and transitioning back to school. For more book recommendations, head on over to Mrs. Underwood’s Resource Lists. |
The Kissing Hand by Aubrey Penn
(Ages 3-8)
This is my all time favorite book for children who are anxious about leaving their parents and heading to school. It’s a touching tale about Chester the Raccoon who does not want to go to school until his mom shares their family secret called The Kissing Hand which will comfort him whenever he feels a little afraid. There are so many great activities you can do with your child that goes along with the book. Check them out here and here. Available for purchase here.
(Ages 3-8)
This is my all time favorite book for children who are anxious about leaving their parents and heading to school. It’s a touching tale about Chester the Raccoon who does not want to go to school until his mom shares their family secret called The Kissing Hand which will comfort him whenever he feels a little afraid. There are so many great activities you can do with your child that goes along with the book. Check them out here and here. Available for purchase here.
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneburg and Judith Dufour Love
(Ages 4-8)
Children (and adults!) will empathize with Sarah Jane Hartwell as hides under the covers in the hopes of evading another school year cause she is worried about all sorts of things! Will anyone like her? Will it be too hard? What children won’t see coming end of the book- Sarah Jane Hartwell is the teacher! This story serves as a great reminder to kids in a funny and affirming way that adults can also get those first day jitters too. Available for purchase here.
(Ages 4-8)
Children (and adults!) will empathize with Sarah Jane Hartwell as hides under the covers in the hopes of evading another school year cause she is worried about all sorts of things! Will anyone like her? Will it be too hard? What children won’t see coming end of the book- Sarah Jane Hartwell is the teacher! This story serves as a great reminder to kids in a funny and affirming way that adults can also get those first day jitters too. Available for purchase here.
Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli (Ages 7-10)
An easy to read chapter book about George, A.K.A. Suds, who just enters third grade and and he's heard the rhyme about "first grade babies/second grade cats/third grade angels/fourth grade rats," but he wonders what this means for his school year. He's finding the challenge of always being good to be more stressful than he had anticipated. In this funny story, kids can relate to the some of the pressures of being a third grader. Available for purchase here.
An easy to read chapter book about George, A.K.A. Suds, who just enters third grade and and he's heard the rhyme about "first grade babies/second grade cats/third grade angels/fourth grade rats," but he wonders what this means for his school year. He's finding the challenge of always being good to be more stressful than he had anticipated. In this funny story, kids can relate to the some of the pressures of being a third grader. Available for purchase here.
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
(Ages 4-8)
Wemberly the mouse is worries about a lot of things, but she is most worried about starting school. The author touches on several social situations that children most often worry about the most. Throughout the story, Wemberly realizes that she’s not alone in feeling nervous about school and that perhaps it’s not as scary as she thought! In fact, it’s fun! Available for purchase here.
(Ages 4-8)
Wemberly the mouse is worries about a lot of things, but she is most worried about starting school. The author touches on several social situations that children most often worry about the most. Throughout the story, Wemberly realizes that she’s not alone in feeling nervous about school and that perhaps it’s not as scary as she thought! In fact, it’s fun! Available for purchase here.
Who’s Afraid of Fourth Grade? by Nancy E. Krulik
(Ages 7-9)
This chapter book is perfect for girls nervous about entering into fourth grade. At first, Katie and her friends can't wait to enter the fourth grade! With the pressure of new classes, teachers, and friends, Katie isn't so sure she likes it after all. It touches on some of the struggles of a fourth grade girl from friends to extracurricular activities and all the worries in between. Available for purchase here.
(Ages 7-9)
This chapter book is perfect for girls nervous about entering into fourth grade. At first, Katie and her friends can't wait to enter the fourth grade! With the pressure of new classes, teachers, and friends, Katie isn't so sure she likes it after all. It touches on some of the struggles of a fourth grade girl from friends to extracurricular activities and all the worries in between. Available for purchase here.
Will I Have A Friend? by Mirian Cohen
(Ages 3-6)
Jim is worried on his first day of school that he won’t have any friends. Most of the day he is nervous and has a difficult time trying to find a new friend until alas another boy shows him his toy truck. Jim has found his new friend! This is a great story to help children ease their nerves about finding a new friend at school and can prompt good conversation about ways to make new friends. Available for purchase here.
(Ages 3-6)
Jim is worried on his first day of school that he won’t have any friends. Most of the day he is nervous and has a difficult time trying to find a new friend until alas another boy shows him his toy truck. Jim has found his new friend! This is a great story to help children ease their nerves about finding a new friend at school and can prompt good conversation about ways to make new friends. Available for purchase here.
For more books to help ease kids' back-to-school jitters, go to Mrs. Underwood's Resource Lists.
This post contains affiliate links to Amazon, which will result in a very small amount of revenue earned when a purchase is made via that link at no extra cost to you. This revenue is then used to buy new supplies for our counseling program. Thank you for your purchases and support!
Happy trails,
This post contains affiliate links to Amazon, which will result in a very small amount of revenue earned when a purchase is made via that link at no extra cost to you. This revenue is then used to buy new supplies for our counseling program. Thank you for your purchases and support!
Happy trails,
Sources & Other Resources:
http://astore.amazon.com/pvcoupro-20
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/bookfinder/books-to-read-before-kids-start-school/
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/top-11-books-to-ease-back-to-school-jitters
http://www.sugaraunts.com/2014/08/the-kissing-hand-diy-salt-dough-charm.html
http://www.mericherry.com/2014/08/05/temporary-heart-tattoos-inspired-kissing-hand/
http://frogsandsnailsandpuppydogtail.com/kissing-hand-book-craft-and-activity/
http://astore.amazon.com/pvcoupro-20
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/bookfinder/books-to-read-before-kids-start-school/
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/top-11-books-to-ease-back-to-school-jitters
http://www.sugaraunts.com/2014/08/the-kissing-hand-diy-salt-dough-charm.html
http://www.mericherry.com/2014/08/05/temporary-heart-tattoos-inspired-kissing-hand/
http://frogsandsnailsandpuppydogtail.com/kissing-hand-book-craft-and-activity/