With the start of school just around the corner, we asked our ChIRP Program Facilitator, Carla Veitch, to share with us her Top 10 Back to School reading recommendations for children. Miss Carla, as she is affectionately known, is our #1 trusted expert for excellent read aloud titles that are sure to delight and inspire adults and kids alike:
- Noni is Nervous written by Heather Hartt-Sussman; illustrated by Geneviève Côté
- Noni is nervous about a lot of things! The first day of school she meets a friend who is a little more outgoing than herself and discovers that through friendship, she can belong and succeed in a world that once filled her with dread.
- Jabari Jumps written and illustrated by Gala Cornwall
- Jabari is a determined little boy you can’t help cheering for—an appealing tale of overcoming your fears with the encouragement and patience of a loving father.
- All the Stars in the Sky written by Art Coulson; illustrated by Winona Nelson
- A lovely picture book about a young boy who learns the Cherokee lesson of gadugi— how working together and helping each other makes the whole community stronger.
- No Help Wanted written and illustrated by Ruth Ohi
- In this sweet school based story, a high achieving child needs a reminder that it’s okay to ask for help, and the lesson that cooperation wins the day.
- Willow Finds a Way written by Lana Button; illustrated by Tania Howells
- This child-friendly and relatable story about bullying is told with honesty and heart. Children will be deeply sympathetic with Willow’s dilemma and how her classmates come together to help her.
- The Kissing Hand written by Audrey Penn; illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
- Mrs. Racoon shares a family secret (The Kissing Hand) giving Chester reassurance of her love whenever his world feels scary. A great book to help children deal with separation.
- Same Way Ben written and illustrated by Maryann Cocoa-Leffler
- Life changes for Ben when his teacher is away and a substitute fills in. Although he likes things the same, always, he begins to think differently about change and realizes that doing things another way can be fun after all.
- The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade written by Justin Roberts; illustrated by Christian Robinson
- Being the smallest girl Sally notices everything—including bullying in the playground. When she’s finally had enough she takes a stand against the bullies, proving that one small voice can make a difference.
- Lena’s Shoes are Nervous written and illustrated by Keith Calabrese and Juana Medina
- A typical first day of school dilemma. Lena can’t get it together because her shoes are nervous. With the help of her patient encouraging dad she works through her nervousness.
- Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon written by Patty Lovell; illustrated by David Catrow
- Molly Lou takes advice from her Grandma as she struggles with the challenge of being small and having buck teeth. She has to move to a new school and finds out that everything her grandma told her is true. (This is Miss Carla’s favourite!)
