I Got The School Spirit

Looking for a cute first day of school book? Check out I Got the School Spirit by Connie Schofield-Morrison. The illustrations by Frank Morrison are beautiful! This book is full of black girl joy and will start the year off right.

We're Different, We're the Same

Sunny day! We're Different, We're the Same can be used to build classroom community. Each year our classrooms become more diverse, this book can be used to discuss embracing differences. This title is perfect for the start of the year.

The Day You Begin

By: Jacqueline Woodson

The Day You Begin is a beautiful lyrical book that is perfect for any child that has ever felt like an outsider. This book is perfect for the start of the year as it helps readers understand they can connect with others and appreciate the differences in the classroom community.

How to Read a Book

By: Kwame Anderson

How to Read a Book can be utilized at the start of the year to discuss reading goals. This book has rich language and describes reading in a way that will make readers eager to get their hands on a book.

The Name Jar

By Yangsook Choi

Unhei is nervous about being the new kid and if being new isn't bad enough, she worries people won't be able to say her name. She decides to pick an American name from a glass jar, but a new friend helps her see the beauty in her name. Again, this is a perfect book for the start of the year while building the classroom community and learning names.

Your Name Is a Song

By: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

When her teachers and classmates say her name incorrectly, a little girl feels discouraged. Her mother helps her to realize the beauty of her name through music. I love this book because it stresses the importance of learning to say a person's name correctly. This book is perfect for those first few days of school while we work to learn each other's names.

Darryl's Dream

Darryl "DMC" McDaniels

Darryl has a talent he wants to showcase in the school talent show, but after being teased by bullies Darryl feels discouraged and wishes to be liked by all. A vivid dream shows Darryl who he must become to be likeable. Will he become a fancy car? Or big and strong? Or something completely unexpected. Check out Darryl's dream to find out.