As the new school year approaches, big feelings start to arise in most children. This list of New Books for the New School Year includes wonderful new titles to discuss with kids about forming new friendships, understanding and having compassion for differences, practicing the ABC’s, leaving the comfort of home, and just celebrating the return to school. We hope you enjoy these titles and please comment below with other new books you recommend.
• New Books for the New School Year •
I GOT THE SCHOOL SPIRIT
This exuberant celebration of the first day of school illustrated by award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison will have every kid cheering for school to begin!
Summer is over, and this little girl has got the school spirit! She hears the school spirit in the bus driving up the street–VROOM, VROOM!–and in the bell sounding in the halls–RING-A-DING! She sings the school spirit in class with her friends–ABC, 123!
The school spirit helps us all strive and grow. What will you learn today?
Written by Connie Schofield-Morrison and Illustrated by Frank Morrison
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
HAIR LOVE ABCs
An alphabet board book inspired by the bestselling HAIR LOVE, with new spot illustrations and text from the original award-winning author and illustrator duo–and perfect for baby gift baskets.
A is for Afro, N is for Natural, and W is for Waves. Letter by letter, follow Zuri and her father in their joy-filled journey through the kinks and curls of Black hair.
This 7×7 board book is perfect as a baby gift, for existing fans of HAIR LOVE, young readers embracing their natural hair, and toddlers learning their ABCs!
HAIR LOVE ABC’s
Written by Matthew Cherry and Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Published by Kokila Books
A DAY WITH NO WORDS
An instant #1 New York Times bestselling picture book and national bestseller!! A Day With No Words invites readers into the life of an Autism Family who communicates just as the child does, without spoken language.
A Day With No Words is a colorful and engaging picture book for young readers shares what life can look like for families who use nonverbal communication, utilizing tools to embrace their unique method of “speaking.”
The story highlights the bond between mother and child and follows them on a day where they use a tablet to communicate with others.
Written by an autistic mother of two autistic sons and the creator behind the popular @Fidgets.and.Fries social media platform and illustrated by Kate Cosgrove (IG @k8cosgrove), A Day With No Words successfully normalizes communication methods outside of verbal speech and provides representation of neurodiversity and autism in a way that affirms and celebrates.
A DAY WITH NO WORDS
Written by Tiffany Hammond and Illustrated by Kate Cosgrove
Published by Wheat Penny Press
THAT FLAG
An affecting picture book from Tameka Fryer Brown and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Nikkolas Smith (The 1619 Project: Born on the Water) that challenges the meaning behind the still-waving Confederate flag through the friendship of two young girls who live across the street from each other.
Bianca is Keira’s best friend. At school, they are inseparable. But Keira questions their friendship when she learns more about the meaning of the Confederate flag hanging from Bianca’s front porch. Will the two friends be able to overlook their distinct understandings of the flag? Or will they reckon with the flag’s effect on yesterday and today?
In That Flag, Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikkolas Smith graciously tackle the issues of racism, the value of friendship, and the importance of understanding history so that we move forward together in a thought-provoking, stirring, yet ultimately tender tale.
A perfect conversation starter for the older and younger generations alike, this book includes back matter on the history of the Confederate flag and notes from the creators.
THAT FLAG
Written by Tameka Fryer Brown and Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
Published by HarperCollins
HURRY KATE OR YOU’LL BE LATE
A young girl stops to call out all the sights and sounds on her morning trip to pre-school, but that’s not what makes her late–it is her dad’s goodbye hug.
Kate was late for preschool, but not for the reasons you might expect. It wasn’t because her daddy brushed her hair into poofs, or because they slowed to say hello to neighbors on the way to the bus stop. It wasn’t even because she had to wave to all the trucks, cars, and street cleaners on the road. No, Kate was late because just after they arrived at school, her daddy swooped in to give her a great big goodbye hug that lasted a very long time.
Janice N. Harrington is the Ezra Jack Keats Award winning author of Going North. With Hurry Kate or You’ll be Late, she has teamed up with illustrator Tiffany Rose to create a delightful picture book about a vehicle obsessed girl and her very patient father.
HURRY KATE OR YOU’LL BE LATE
Written by Janice N. Harrington and Illustrated by Tiffany Rose
Published by Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House
Love this list and want more back to school recommendations? Check out these resources:
KidLit Arts & Crafts for Back-to-School
New Picture Books for Back to School
Bethany Edwards is an elementary educator as well as a reading and literacy
specialist. On Biracial Bookworms, she focuses on multiracial and multicultural resources for teaching literacy skills using reading, travel, and learning multiple languages. Additionally, she offers online and self-paced courses for parents and caregivers on Biracial Bookworms Academy.
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