GETTING THE JITTERS
Off to School, Baby Duck!
Written by Amy Hest
Illustrated by Jill Barton
Candlewick Press, 1999
Baby Duck is nervous about going to
school. It’s a good thing Grampa is on hand to help allay Baby’s fears and send
her into class singing a happy song.
Wemberly Worried
Written &
illustrated by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow/HaperCollins, 2000
A BAD DAY AT SCHOOL AT SCHOOL
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
Written & illustrated
by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow/HaperCollins, 1996
Today Was a Terrible Day
Written by Patricia Reilly Giff
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
Viking, 1982
Ronald Morgan gets discouraged at
school one day when he does everything wrong—including making mistakes when
reading aloud in class. Then, on the way home, he reads the note his teacher
has given him without any help. The day’s troubles dissipate in the excitement
of knowing that he can actually read. (Pair this book with Alexander and the
Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day and have children discuss their “terrible”
days.)
SCHOOL STORIES TO TICKLE YOUR FUNNYBONE
David Goes to School
Written & illustrated by David Shannon
Blue Sky Press, 1999
Morris the Moose Goes to School
Written & illustrated
by B. Wiseman
Harper & Row, 1970
Morris can’t read or count. He goes
to school to learn how. Young children will enjoy all the funny situations and
experiences Morris has during his first day in an elementary classroom.
Math Curse
Written by Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by Lane Smith
Viking, 1995
A Fine, Fine School
Written by Sharon Creech
Illustrated by Harry Bliss
Scholastic, 2001
No matter how fine a school may
be—too much of a good thing can prove to be a bad idea. Principal Keene learns
about some of the other important things in children’s lives from a young girl
who has the courage to speak up to an adult.
SCHOOL STORIES ABOUT TEASING AND BULLYING
Chrysanthemum
Written & illsutrated by Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow, 1991
Hooway for Wodney Wat
Written by Helen Lester
Illustrated by Lyn Munsinger
Houghton Mifflin, 1999
Poor Wodney Wat (Rodney Rat) can’t
pronounce his r’s. His classmates constantly tease him. When Camilla Capybara,
a new student who is a big bully, enters the classroom, Wodney fears his days
at school will only get worse. Fortunately for Wodney, he is a hero by story’s
end because he gets rid of Camilla….forever.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Mellon
Written by Patty
Lovell
Illustrated by David Catrow
Penguin, 2001
Molly Lou is the shortest girl in
first grade. She’s got buck teeth, has a terrible singing voice, and is quite
clumsy. Her grandma gives her the courage to take pride in herself. Then Molly
Lou moves to a new town away from her grandma and old friends. A bully picks on
her and teases her—but Molly takes it all in stride and wins over her
classmates…including her harasser.
Thank You, Mr. Falker
Written &illustrated by Patricia Polacco
Philomel, 1998
Autobiographical story about young
Polacco who was teased by classmates and called a “dummy” because she couldn’t
read. In fifth grade, a teacher who is both understanding and wise takes the
time to tutor the young artist every day after school and opens the world of
words to her.
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BACK TO SCHOOL BOOKS
Back to School Books (Bank Street)
Back to School Books (Parents' Choice)
Bookshelf Bests: Favorite Books for Back-to-School (Scholastic)
School Days (Reading Rockets)
It's Time to Think About...Back to School Books! (ALSC Blog)
Back to School (Powell's)
That Back-To-School Feeling: Picture Books for First Days (Booklist)
