Since Alamance-Burlington schools are finally back in session, we’re going to celebrate this week with five great picture and easy reader books about school!
Fiona Goes to School by Richard Cowdrey, illustrated by Donald Wu. Fiona the hippo, from the Cincinnati Zoo, is probably the best-known hippo in the country! Now she and her friends are going to zoo school to learn about all of the animals at the zoo. This Level 1 easy reader is perfect for kids just learning to read. There are other Fiona books available in our collection as well.
Llama Llama Back to School by Anna Dewdney and Reed Duncan, illustrated by JT Morrow. Llama Llama doesn’t want summer to end – he has had so much fun with his family and friends. He is anxious about going back to school, but with help from Momma Llama and his friends, he sees that school can be fun, too! This beloved series continues on after Dewdney’s death, with the Netflix series and writers willing to continue the magic of Llama Llama. We have this book as a Vox book as well (which is a read-along version, with the audio player attached to the book).
I Like School! (Cocomelon) by Maggie Testa. Fans of Cocomelon who are just starting to read will enjoy this Level 1 easy reader. JJ is getting ready for school, and readers get to follow along with him as he rides the bus, meets his new classmates and has fun! This easy reader series also has This is the Way We Play, featuring JJ and Nina on the playground. Familiar characters can help young students feel confident about reading, as well as excited about starting school!
The Crayons Go Back to School by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Each crayon is looking forward to a different subject, seeing their friends again, and having a blast in art class! Kids love reading the Crayon books by Daywalt and Jeffers, and this new entry is sure to be a hit!
The Boy Who Tried to Shrink his Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran, illustrated by Michelle Pereira. Zimdalamashkermishkada is beginning at a new school, and he is worried no one will be able to pronounce his name. He uses his nickname, Zim, but it doesn’t feel right. Will he have the courage to share his real name? This book encourages kids to be authentic and celebrate their cultural heritage, as well as their classmates’ cultures.
All of these books, plus many more, are available for checkout through Alamance County Public Libraries. Search for school in our catalog, and remember you can narrow your search by choosing “Easy Fiction” or “Easy to Read Shelf” under Collections on the left-hand side of the browser.
Mary Beth Adams is the Community Engagement Librarian for Alamance County Public Libraries. You can reach her at madams@alamancelibraries.org or 336-570-6981.