Butterflies in their stomachs (and well, let's face it, yours too!) are fluttering fast. And, whether your little ones will be starting for the very first time, or if they are already little seasoned pros at it, the start of the first week of school is always filled with anticipation, apprehension and excitement. The first week of school is a wonderful time to share stories together with your children that will act as springboards to both their imagination as well as to discussion, most especially if your little ones are feeling nervous about the start of the school year. Here are a few new tales that are guaranteed to charm, delight and provide your children with a sense of reassurance, as they embark on a special journey filled with new discoveries, adventure, knowledge and wonder.
Clark the Shark
As our tale begins, Clark the Shark arrives to Theodore Roosterfish Elementary on a shiny, bright yellow submarine bus, and being the biggest student at school, he does everything in a big way---
Despite all of his boisterous yet well-meaning exuberance about school and his classmates (comprised of squids, crabs and minnows who are quite smaller than Clark) are starting to get understandably nervous. They soon start avoiding Clark, not out of being mean, but mostly out of fear of getting hurt, even though Clark doesn't mean it. His classmates avoidance starts to weigh on Clark, and one day, he confides in his teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, who gently assures Clark that when he feels excited about something, he should remember the class motto, "Stay Cool."
Sweet Clark tries his very best to stick to Mrs. Inkydink's advice, but he starts to fall back on his old ways. Just when Clark begins to doubt that he'll ever change, he comes up with a plan. "Make it rhyme", he says and his new found wisdom comes in quite handy when an even bigger new kid named Sid the Squid, joins the class and starts
With a gentle background lesson for your little ones to remember that there is a time and place for everything as the way you behave tells people (including your classmates) a lot about you, author Bruce Hale doesn't disappoint in this delightfully amusing rhyming tale that will make for an extremely fitting, first week of school read in both the classroom and at home.
Clark the Shark
Written by Bruce Hale & Illustrated by Guy Francis
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-219226-4
Retails for $17.99
For ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.7
Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus
The familiar old song is back, only this time with a unique twist that is fitting of that one cool kitty, Pete the Cat. The New York Times best selling artist James Dean's hip jet black cat is leads his merry band of feline friends on an fun, adventurous trip to school. Your little one's will be sure to sing and laugh along with Pete and his kitty friends on their way to school Several of the versus of the song have been changed to be more specific towards the functions of a school bus ("The signals on the bus go blink, blink, blink") and I am sure that Pete's newest adventure as a school bus driver (after all, as the first page of the book shows us, Pete now has a license to drive!! Look out world! ) will spark questions from your little ones about what it like riding on a school bus (especially if your little ones will be riding on a school bus for the first time this year). Dean's engaging and lively artwork will not disappoint!
Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus
Based on the creation of James Dean
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-219871-6
Retails for $9.99
For ages 4 thru 8
Accelerated Reader Book Level: 2.4
Charlie, the lovable, bacon-eating, loyal protector of the Drummond family ranch is back, in this all new adventure in Ree(The Pioneer Woman) Drummond's popular, "Charlie" the Basset Hound series. As our tale begins, school for Drummond children isn't very far away, as they are home schooled, much to the pleasure of Charlie, as he is able to go to school with his family everyday. Charlie watches over as Mama teaches the children all about reading and math (which we learn is Charlie's favorite subject, as yummy animal crackers play an important and delicious part in learning). Charlie becomes so inspired by this nurturing environment that he decides that he too, can be a teacher just like Mama, for all of his critter friends on the ranch.
But, things, in typical Charlie fashion, quickly go awry, as Charlie's good-natured, well-meaning attempts at teaching (instead of reading the history book that Charlie gave his horse friends to read, they decide that it's far more delicious to eat it instead) turns the outside of the ranch into a mess! Will Charlie the Teacher be able to corral his students to work together to clean up before Mama notices?
Before I became an elementary school Accelerated Reader coordinator, I taught my child from PreK to First Grade at home, and after reading this charming story, I was so pleased to be able to share it with you all, as I feel Drummond's tale is a must-read for home school children to be able see that there are so many other families with children just like them who learn at home.
Charlie Goes to School
Written by Ree Drummond & Illustrated by Diane de Groat
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2013)
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-221920-6
Retails for $17.99
For ages 4 thru 8
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