Step into Reading-Arthur's Back to School Surprise by Marc Brown

Arthur and D.W. are school shopping with their mother.  To Arthur's horror, D.W. selects the same Bionic Bunny backpack.  His horror increases on the first day of school when he realizes he has taken D.W.'s backpack WITH her Mary Moo-Cow!  How embarrassing!
My six year old read this book to himself.
Points to discuss: I do not care for how Arthur and D.W. treat each other at times.  His classmates tease him about Mary Moo-Cow.
Guided Reading Level: K (second grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.5

Wolf by Becky Bloom illustrated by Pascal Biet

Wolf is starving and finds a farm with delicious choices- a cow, a pig, and duck. These animals, however, are reading and are not impressed with his big and dangerous persona!  They send him off to be educated.
Reading Specialist/teachers and classroom teachers could read this book aloud in the beginning  of the year to encourage their students to continue to make strives to improve their reading ability.
This book portrays "the reading journey".
Borrowed from the library.

If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson*

I loved the over-sized format for this book.  Mr. Nelson's illustrations are always, bold, strong and dramatic.
The book features a rabbit and a mouse planting some vegetables seeds.  When they harvest their crop, a few birds want to join in the eating festivities.  Unfortunately, selfishness consumes them and havoc ensues.
The reader can see what happens when we plant seeds of selfishness and also, seeds of kindness.
A very simple book with a powerful message.
I would use this book on the first day of school to set the tone of the classroom.
Strategy: venn diagram/compare/contrast
*Highly recommend.

Kindergarten Countdown by Anna Jane Hays illustrated by Linda Davick

Lucy is counting down the days until kindergarten.
Starting at day 7, this story in rhyme offers opportunities for parents to discuss what kindergarten may be like and opens the doors for sharing feelings about this change.
I like how the number is displayed at the top of each spread and how the day of the week is shown at the bottom right side of each spread.   On the back endpaper, there is a pictograph that children can count.
A perfect book to read on the day you start counting down with your kindergartner.

Monkey Not Ready for Kindergarten by Marc Brown

The author/illustrator of the endearing Arthur series has written a new book about a monkey not feeling very sure about going to kindergarten.  Monkey's family members assure him how great Kindergarten will be but Monkey is not convinced.
This book addresses many Kindergartners'  fears.  Through Monkey's experience on the first day, soon-to-be Kindergartners may not be as apprehensive.
Great to read with your new Kindergartner.

We're Going on a Book Hunt by Pat Miller illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Three bears and their teacher visit the library and try to pick the "just right" book.
Perfect for the beginning of the year when sharing how to pick a "good fit" book, how to act in the library, how to page through the book etc.

The Best Place to Read by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom illustrated by Michael Garland

A young boy tries to find a comfortable place to read.  Sweet ending!

The Best Time to Read by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom illustrated by Michael Garland

A young boy tries to find someone to listen to him read aloud.  No one, however, has time.

How to Bake a Book by Ella Burfoot

A great book to read when introducing/reviewing the writing process.
Rhyming text.
Sweet illustrations.
I wish we could have read the story the main character had created.

The Invisible Boy by Tracy Ludwig illustrated by Patrice Barton*

Brian's classmates do not include him in anything-games at recess, birthday parties, lunch conversations, so he feels invisible.  Even his teacher treats him as he does not exist.  Then a new student arrives.  Brian has the choice to reach out or stay within his invisible world.
The first time I read this book, I almost cried.  A must read when beginning the school year.
Wonderful artwork that matches the mood of the story-watch Brian and how he changes.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: inferring, connections, asking questions
Pair with:
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna illustrated by Loren Long*

Mr. Peabody is a beloved teacher and baseball coach in town.  His reputation is ruined when Tommy Tittlebottom spreads a rumor about him.  Mr. Peabody teaches Tommy, in a kind manner, the power of words and ones inability to repair the damage they can do.
I read this on the first few days of school to reinforce that we as a class need to watch our words.  Then I would bring out a tube of toothpaste.  Everyone would squeeze some out on the plate.  The next challenge was to put the toothpaste back into the tube!  No possible!  The toothpaste on the plate represents words that are said  and once said, cannot be taken back.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy: determining importance-main idea

The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown illustrated by Leonard Weisgard*

Ms. Brown takes ordinary objects and states the most important thing about and gives other details about them.
Great to use for teaching main idea/details.   I used it on the first few days of school where the students list important things about themselves and then ended it with, "The most important thing about me is . . .". Then we made a class book for them to enjoy.  Their photo was included on the page too.
*Highly recommend.
Strategy-determining importance-main idea/details

Oliver and His Alligator by Paul Schmid

Oliver is dreading his first day of school so he brings along an alligator.  Great book to discuss feelings of a new teacher, classmates, being overwhelmed by the noise and workload.  Very simple pictures and few words.

My New Teacher and Me by Al Yankovic

Funny, imaginative . . Billy, the main character will amuse readers.  Hints from previous stories about Billy are included in the illustrations.

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg illustrated by Judy Love

Sarah Jane Hartwell does not want to go to her new school!  Her feelings are expressed very well throughout the story.  The reader never fully sees her until the last page-there is a reason!
Strategies: connections

Elizabeti's School by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen illustrated by Christy Hale

Elizabeti goes to school for the first time and at the end of the day is not sure if she wants to return.  Taken place in Tanzania, the story reveals that although we live in different cultures, our feelings/fears and questions may be the same.
Strategies: connections

My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook illustrated by Carrie Hartman

Louis struggles with controlling when to talk and interrupts people at school, day care and at home.  When he experiences this rudeness, he realizes that he needs to change his ways.
Great book for teachers to read if they have a class who calls out and interrupts often.
The repetitive sentences  before he interrupts became a bit tedious for me to read over and over again but kids might like the predictability of it.