It is somehow that time of year again, when teachers go back to training & start prepping their bulletin boards, and children go back-to-school shopping with their parents to prepare for the next school year. While many are sad that summer has come to an end, there are a lot of neat things to get excited about with the advent of a new school year. I made this round-up to show a complete range of emotions experienced by all those involved in going to school; good luck to you all for the 2021-2022 year! 

Back-to-School Round Up: 
1. The Day you Begin
by: Jacqueline Woodson & Rafael Lopez
(Starting a new school year can be scary; especially when walking into a new room with new people might mean there's nobody else in there quite like you. Maybe how you talk or even how you look causes you to feel different. We all can feel like outsiders sometimes; but it doesn't mean you shouldn't be brave & move forward to experience new things!) 
www.amazon.com/Day-You-Begin-Jacqueline-Woodson/dp/0399246533/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1627493865&sr=8-1

2. The Night Before Kindergarten
by: Natasha Wing & Julie Durell
(Part of her fun series, this one deals with the kids getting ready for the first day of school; packing up backpacks, saying good-bye to mom & dad, & posing for all the family pictures. But they will find out how fun kinder really is, once they make it to school!) 
www.amazon.com/Night-Before-Kindergarten-Natasha-Wing/dp/0448425009/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+night+before+kindergarten&qid=1627497667&sr=8-1
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3. LLama Llama Loves to Read
by: Anna Dewdney & JT Morrow
(Llama is so excited that he learns how to read at school, using word cards, reading stories, etc. He especially looks forward to choosing his own books at the library! By the end of the day, Llama Llama can't wait to show Mama that he's becoming a reader!)
www.amazon.com/Llama-Loves-Read-Anna-Dewdney/dp/0670013978/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=llama+llama+learns+to+read&qid=1627536092&sr=8-3

4. Even Monsters Go to School
by: Lisa Wheeler
(Did you know that even monsters need school supplies & ride on a yellow bus like kids do?)
www.amazon.com/Even-Monsters-School-Lisa-Wheeler/dp/0062366424/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=even+monsters+go+to+school&qid=1627536188&sr=8-1

5. The Pigeon Has to Go to School
by: Mo Willems
(The pigeon is back, with a major attitude about attending school; he already knows everything anyway! And he probably won't like the teacher either.)
www.amazon.com/Pigeon-HAS-Go-School/dp/1368046452/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=the+pigeon+has+to+go+to+school&qid=1627536472&sr=8-3

6. The King of Kindergarten
by: Derrick Barnes & Vanessa Brantley-Newton
​(Beginning kindergarten is always a new challenge for children; the boy in this story has a lot of enthusiasm about joining a kingdom of kids. The day is going to be jampacked, & he can't wait to begin!) 
www.amazon.com/King-Kindergarten-Derrick-Barnes/dp/1524740748/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+king+of+kindergarten&qid=1627536530&sr=8-1

7. All Are Welcome
by: Alexandra Penfold & Suzanne Kaufman
(Imagine a place where young kids are loved & feel safe; at this particular school, everyone is welcomed with open arms & although they all come from different backgrounds, they will learn to celebrate one another.)
www.amazon.com/All-Are-Welcome-Alexandra-Penfold/dp/0525579648/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=all+are+welcome&qid=1627584940&sr=8-1

8. We Don't Eat our Classmates
by: Ryan T. Higgins
(Penelope Rex has started school & all her classmates are humans. She's having trouble making friends since she wants to eat them all. And then the class pet {a fish} takes a bite out of her, & Penelope suddenly understands why it's a problem to keep eating all her classmates.) 
www.amazon.com/We-Dont-Eat-Our-Classmates/dp/1368003559/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=we+don%27t+eat+our+classmates&qid=1627588615&sr=8-1
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9. The Kissing Hand
by: Audrey Penn 
(Chester Racoon is nervous about starting school; his mommy tries to reassure him about all the new things he'll learn & new friends he'll make. She decides to give his palm a special kiss to help him remember that his mommy always loves him, even when she's not with him. He also gives his mommy a palm kiss before he runs off to school; this is such a sweet book!) 
www.amazon.com/Kissing-Hand/dp/1939100429/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+kissing+hand&qid=1627667308&sr=8-1

10. Sounds Like School Spirit
​by: Meg Fleming
(
www.amazon.com/Sounds-Like-School-Spirit-Fleming/dp/0593108329/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=sounds+like+school+spirit&qid=1627667366&sr=8-3
11. If You Take a Mouse to School
by: Laura Numeroff & Felicia Bond
(The perfect example of if-then scenarios, when you take a mouse to school; first, if you give him a lunch box, you'll need to pack him a sandwich!)
www.amazon.com/If-You-Take-Mouse-School/dp/0060283289/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=If+You+Take+a+Mouse+to+School&qid=1627700737&sr=8-1

12. Our Class is a Family
by: Shannon Olsen
(This book reminds me exactly of the mentality I had as an elementary school teacher, in trying to create a sense of community & family away from home. Students should always feel safe, included, & loved in a school atmosphere.)
www.amazon.com/Our-Class-Family-Shannon-Olsen/dp/0578629097/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N5NDDZXSM7PQ&dchild=1&keywords=our+class+is+a+family&qid=1627700964&sprefix=our+class+is%2Caps%2C253&sr=8-1

13. Back to School Splat
by: Rob Scotton 
(Splat can only share one adventure from his summer with his class on the first day of school. What will he share? When he went swimming with sharks in the ocean? Or another surprise?)
www.amazon.com/Splat-Cat-Back-School/dp/0061978515/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=back+to+school+splat&qid=1627743274&sr=8-1

14. Pinkalicious Schooltastic Storybook Favs. 
by: Victoria Kann 
(There are 6-Pinkalicious stories in this collection & they range from when she brings her imaginary unicorn Goldie to class to when she turns a sick day home from school as an adventure or when she helps welcome a brand-new teacher to the school!) 
www.amazon.com/Pinkalicious-Schooltastic-Storybook-Victoria-Kann/dp/0063003902/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=pinkalicious+schooltastic&qid=1627743927&sr=8-2

15. Butterflies on the First Day of School
by: Anne SIlvestro & Dream Chen
(Rosie is so excited to start kindergarten; her backpack has been ready to go for weeks! But the night before her first day, her stomach hurts & Rosie's mom tells her she has butterflies in her belly & that they'll get better soon. It surprises Rosie, but as she says hello to a new friend on the bus & then at school, butterflies start to fly out of her mouth & disappear!)
www.amazon.com/Butterflies-First-School-Annie-Silvestro/dp/1454921196/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=butterflies+on+the+first+day+of+school&qid=1627743979&sr=8-1

16. Curious George's First Day of School
by: Margret & H.A. Rey
(George has been invited to Mr. Apple's class to be a helper on the first day of school! George tries to be helpful, but then he wreaks havoc when he mixes the wrong colors for painting; will he still be able to help Mr. Apple on the first day?)
www.amazon.com/Curious-Georges-First-Day-School/dp/0618605649/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=curious+george%27s+first+day+of+school&qid=1627744035&sr=8-2

17. Froggy Goes to School 
by: Jonathan London & Frank Remkiewicz
(Froggy is certain he's not going to be nervous about school starting. He even leapfrogs with his mom to the bus stop in spite of a weird dream he had the night before. Froggy's wild antics will keep kids entertained & convinced that school can actually be a lot of fun after all!) 
www.amazon.com/Froggy-Goes-School-Jonathan-London/dp/0140562478/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=froggy+goes+to+school&qid=1627744158&sr=8-1

18. Time for School, Little Blue Truck 
by: Alice Schertle & Jill McElmurry
(Even though Little Blue isn't as big as the yellow school bus that takes the children to school, he & his friend Toad do give someone a ride so they can get to school on time after missing the bus!) 
www.amazon.com/Time-School-Little-Blue-Truck/dp/0358412242/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=time+for+school+little+blue+truck&qid=1627744206&sr=8-3

19. Our Favorite Day of the Year
by: A.E. Ali & Rahele Bell 
(Musa is feeling nervous about school, even after meeting three other boys, Mo, Kevin & Moises. He doubts that they will have much in common. But throughout the school year the boys actually learn more about each other, especially their different cultures & learn new holidays & favorite foods too. This is a charming book about friendship & celebrating differences, that will help many kids feel more eager to approach a new year & making new friends!) 
www.amazon.com/Our-Favorite-Day-Year-Ali/dp/1481485636/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=our+favorite+day+of+the+year&qid=1628573330&sr=8-1

20. A Letter from Your Teacher 
by: Shannon Olsen & Sandie Sonke
(I always used to write an introductory letter to my students at he beginning of a new school year; this teacher has the same idea, by helping students feel comfortable & confident that someone will be there to cheer them on. A teacher is not just there to assist academically & the teacher will provide a  caring environment for the students too.) 
www.amazon.com/Letter-Your-Teacher-First-School/dp/1735414123/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+letter+from+your+teacher&qid=1628573488&sr=8-1

21. First Day Jitters
by: Julie Dannberg & Judy Love
(You know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you're about to start something brand new? Well, Sarah Hartwell is new at this school & doesn't want to start school this year when nobody knows her. Thankfully her teacher, Mrs. Burton, helps smooth her rough transition & helps her manage those jitters just fine.) 
www.amazon.com/First-Jitters-Hartwells-Classroom-Adventures/dp/158089061X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=first+day+jitters&qid=1628559829&sr=8-1

22. The Berenstain Bears Go to School
by: Jan & Stan Berenstain 
(Sister Bear is not ready for a new school year...even if all the other bears in Bear Country are. She's about to start kindergarten & so many what-if questions keep running through her head. This would make a perfect read-aloud for any kiddos with a case of nerves or the jitters before school starts.)
www.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-School-First-Books/dp/0394837363/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+berenstain+bears+go+to+school&qid=1628559797&sr=8-1

23. Sweet Briar Goes to School
by: Karma Wilson & Le Uyen Pham
(Although Briar is a skunk & has a difficult time finding anyone to play with at school, Briar is determined to show her classmates that she has a lot to offer & shouldn't be judged by her odor alone.)
www.amazon.com/Sweet-Briar-School-Karma-Wilson/dp/0803727674/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=sweet+briar+goes+to+school&qid=1627744884&sr=8-3

24. Milk Goes to School
by: Terry Border
(A first day of school is tough & making new friends seems even more difficult. Milk tries to have a good attitude, especially as her dad gives her a pep talk & a sparkly new backpack; but many of her classmates think she's spoiled.)
www.amazon.com/Milk-Goes-School-Terry-Border/dp/0399176195/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=milk+goes+to+school&qid=1627744846&sr=8-1

Even though we are not going camping this summer, I consider it the perfect summertime activity & camped out quite a bit when I was growing up. I also went "glamping" a few times (which is when you stay in cabins or a camper.)
My favorite things were: mummy sleeping bags, reading by flashlight, playing card games, roasting marshmallows & s'mores, and playing games my dad made up around the campsite.
Do you like going camping?
Here's some fun books to look at if you & your family are going camping this summer!

• Camping Books:

1. A Camping Spree with Mr. McGee
by: Chris Van Dusen
(Mr. McGee is so excited to get out in nature & take his dog on a camping trip with him. Of course, he makes s'mores by the campfire one night, but unfortunately, a snooping bear who loves marshmallows comes by their trailer & gets them into a bit of trouble. ...will they make it back home?)
www.amazon.com/Camping-Spree-Mr-Magee/dp/0811836037/ref=sr_1_1?crid=183V8XM4CNY7Q&dchild=1&keywords=camping+with+mr.+mcgee&qid=1625975709&sprefix=camping+with+mr.+mc%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1
2. Curious George Goes Camping
by: H.A. Rey
(George loves learning all about camping, especially campfires! But he takes campfire safety a little too seriously, & puts out a few fires around his camp before his friend in the yellow hat catches up to him.)
www.amazon.com/Curious-George-Goes-Camping-Margret/dp/0395978351/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&keywords=camping+books&qid=1625975641&sr=8-20
3. Llama Llama Goes Camping
by:Anna Dewdney
(Llama Llama learns a really important lesson when planning his first camping trip-- sometimes scary things can become quite fun! Especially making s'mores around a campfire at nighttime.)
www.amazon.com/Llama-Loves-Camping-Anna-Dewdney/dp/1524787183/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Llama+Llama+goes+camping&qid=1626025156&sr=8-1
4. The Camping Trip
by: Jennifer K. Mann
(Ernestine has the chance to go camping with her aunt & cousin, and while she’s mostly excited, she’s also nervous about leaving her dad behind. And she learns how tough it is to put up a tent, doesn’t want to swim in a lake (because of the fish) & dislikes dinner. But at least she can enjoy s’moresover a campfire. E can’t fall asleep that night & wants to call her dad; her aunt takes her out to look at the stars, & it helps her feel better.)
www.amazon.com/Camping-Trip-Jennifer-K-Mann/dp/1536207365/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Camping+Trip&qid=1626024643&sr=8-1

5. S is for S'mores (A Camping Alphabet)
by: Helen Foster James & Lita Jones
(Is there anything much more American than the family camping trip? This is an alphabet adventure from A-Z exploring this popular outdoors pastime. There will be all kinds of national parks & attractions, unique camping environments, etc.)
www.amazon.com/Smores-Camping-Alphabet-Sleeping-Hobbies/dp/1585363022/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1625975827&sr=8-13

6. Good Night Campsite
by: Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper
(Your little one will get excited for camping out & all the goodies (including s'mores) & outdoor activities too, like hiking, camping, & swimming.)
www.amazon.com/Good-Night-Campsite-Our-World/dp/1602195145/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=goodnight+campsite&qid=1626129068&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFHRjRKRkRQWkgwVTMmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwNzk1ODZPSVE1VDNMMDlXTVMmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDgxODg5OTJJUjJMODJFVUUzOU8md2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

7. When We Go Camping
by: Margiret Rurrs & Andrew Kiss
(At a campsite there’s fish to catch, rocks to climb, animals to discover & wood to chop for the fire. It’s a busy outdoor experience.)
www.amazon.com/When-We-Camping-Margriet-Ruurs/dp/0887766854/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=goodnight+campsite&qid=1626134312&sr=8-11
8. Fred & Ted Go Camping
by: Peter Eastman
(Fred & Ted are opposite in everything they do— so that makes their camping trip together pretty entertaining! There are different ways to fish, & pack equipment— setting up equipment even!)
www.amazon.com/Fred-Ted-Camping-Beginner-Books/dp/0375829652/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=goodnight+campsite&qid=1626134312&sr=8-13

9. Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping
by: Melanie Watts
(Good old Scaredy! He's always overthinking things, including how to immerse himself in the outdoors experience without actually going camping. He goes on a mission to find a plug for his TV, where he can comfortably watch outdoors' & camping shows. But along the way, he runs into campers-- & he learns actual camping is not so bad after all!)
www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Squirrel-Goes-Camping-Melanie/dp/0593307461/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35OKNRJUH924Q&dchild=1&keywords=scaredy+squirrel+goes+camping&qid=1626243514&sprefix=scaredy+sq%2Caps%2C283&sr=8-1

10. Bailey Goes Camping
by: Kevin Henkes
(Bailey is always hearing that he's too young to do things, including going camping. Bailey's parents determine to make a tough situation fun for Bailey in spite of him always getting turned down to do things.)
www.amazon.com/Bailey-Goes-Camping-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0688152880/ref=sr_1_6?crid=35OKNRJUH924Q&dchild=1&keywords=scaredy+squirrel+goes+camping&qid=1626243544&sprefix=scaredy+sq%2Caps%2C283&sr=8-6