Go back to school with a bang with these great reads:
Parachute
Written by Danny Parker
Illustrated by Matt Ottley
Toby doesn’t like heights. That’s why he always carries a parachute with him. His parachute makes him feel safe when he has to climb down from his bunk bed or when he’s playing on the swings. But one day, Toby’s cat gets stuck in a tree, and it’s up to Toby to rescue him. With the help of his parachute, Toby reaches his cat and lowers him safely to the ground. But now Toby is stuck in the tree, unless he can conquer his fears. . . .
This compelling book, perfectly complemented by Matt Ottley’s expressive artwork, lends a sympathetic ear to children’s fears while simultaneously assuring readers that they can overcome them.
For more on this book, see Matt Ottley’s Five Questions interview and his “Books in the Big World” post on Eerdlings.
Samira and the Skeletons
Written and illustrated by Camilla Kuhn
Samira likes school, especially when she gets to sit next to her best friend, Frida. But when they learn about the skeletal system in science class, Samira suddenly begins to imagine everyone in school as a walking skeleton. Soon she starts avoiding her fellow classmates, even Frida, but Samira still can’t escape her own skeleton. With some clever help from her mother, though, Samira realizes that maybe having a body full of bones isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Enhanced by delightfully impish illustrations, Camilla Kuhn’s playful book depicts the hilarious results of an imagination gone awry.
For more on the book, see Camilla Kuhn’s Five Questions interview and also her “From Brain to Book” post on Eerdlings.
Just Like I Wanted
Written by Elinoar Keller and Naama Peleg Segal
Illustrated by Aya Gordon-Noy
In this cheerful story, a young girl is determined to draw the perfect picture. But staying in the lines is hard to do! When she makes a mistake, she considers crumpling up the drawing and starting over — but instead she decides to use the scribble to create something new. Soon her imagination takes her on a wild adventure as she fills her picture with wild horses, daring pilots, delicious candy, and flying pirate ships.
With energetic mixed-media collages that perfectly suit the story, this book will inspire readers to embrace their mistakes and unleash their creativity.
Ready and Waiting for You
Written by Judi Moreillon
Illustrated by Catherine Stock
The bus driver, the principal, the teachers — all these and more wait behind doors, ready to welcome new students. Each school setting offers warm and friendly characters perfect for reassuring any child nervous about starting school.
Children will be delighted by the colorful illustrations and the exuberant text of this book, and its unique format that allows readers to open flaps revealing the school settings waiting for them behind. Ready and Waiting for You is the perfect introduction to the first day of school, and will leave young readers eager to be on their way!
Red
Written and illustrated by Jan De Kinder
In this poignant story, a girl finds it funny when her classmate starts blushing on the school playground. Her friends laugh along with her, but one student takes the teasing too far. Torn between her sympathy for her classmate and her fear of the bully, the girl must make a difficult choice.
This heartfelt book will inspire readers to find the courage to take a stance against bullying and show compassion towards others.
Read more about Red, “a different kind of bully book,” here on Eerdlings.
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Fore more great back-to-school books, see our entire featured collection.
