Like that certain office supply store’s commercial sings to us lately, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Yes, we’re talking back to school time! While our school calendar kicked off two weeks ago here in Maryland, I’m thinking it’s still pretty standard for other schools around the country to be starting sessions today, so welcome back everyone!
When it comes to children’s literature, the back to school theme is a fairly well addressed one, although it seems that my brain is focused on books aimed at the younger set– the preschoolers and early elementary kids who may be in need of a little encouragement or support during this transition time. You’ve got pretty much every single popular children’s television character working overtime in the pages of books these days, and they are all more than willing to help your young child ease into the school routine. I’m sort of a snob about tv-masquerading-as-literature as it is, but I don’t think those fit the Classics bill anyway. So, what are some classic back to school books?
I can think of plenty, and I do mean PLENTY, more recently published books on this theme. Back before I began my sterling career as a stay-at-home mom, I was first a preschool teacher, so this time of year meant lots of prep work, with my favorite being to stock the classroom library. Of course, we had some of the best around, David Goes to School, Mouse’s First Day of School, and Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten. My very favorite, which unfortunately is not nearly as well-known as it should be, is the absolutely delightful, Matthew ABC. But again, can I call those Classics?
Clearly, I’m having difficulty with this, so I offer you up one title that perhaps has a questionable Classics status, but I’m pretty darn sure that if you have a kid in the preschool set (or one who has had the audacity to grow out of that age bracket within the last 7 years or so), you’re going to be familiar with this title.
If You Take a Mouse to School, by Laura Numeroff, brings back the adorable Mouse of the cookie fame, retaining the circular nature of Numeroff’s many books and introducing kids to the wonders of a classroom environment and routine– reading! science experiments! block building! While it may not be all that old, I’m going to go ahead and give it the Classics honor today.
What do you think? Is your pick a bit more traditionally classic than mine? Please link up your own Children’s Classics post with us below, or feel free just to be chatty in our comments section. Welcome back to school!
Join us each Tuesday. Except for Nightstand, which will still follow our alternating-time post schedule, we will be posting all of these at 7:00am Eastern time.
September 15 (3rd Tuesday): Kids’ Picks
September 22 (4th Tuesday): What’s on Your Nightstand?
September 29 (5th Tuesday): I Read It!
October 6 (1st Tuesday): Bookclub — Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod SerajiMark your calendar with upcoming Children’s Classics topics:
October 13 — Re-read a childhood favorite
November 10 — Celebrate the holidays
December 8 — Children’s books you love to give
Now that Dawn has 1/3 of her children back in school, naptimes can once again be blogging time, over at my thoughts exactly.
Dawn–this is hilarious! My intro paragraph also addresses the classic/not classic sort of them, and I also went with newer books!
From Dawn:
A little flexibility is good now and then, right? I liked your titles, too– always good recommendations!
I like all of the Mouse books. I also love Judy Moody Goes to College. My daughter just thought it was so funny.
From Dawn:
Oh, Judy Moody! I haven’t read any of those books, but my son went through a time where he was checking them out from the library over and over. We recently got a couple Clementine books on CD and have been listening to them all together over the breakfast/pack for school morning rush. Holy cow, those are fantastic, too! And school plays such a big part in them, so they could be honorary classics in my opinion. 🙂
I didn’t know there was “If You Take a Mouse to School” book. I keep discovering titles in that series that I didn’t realize existed. Oh hum.
Well, the only classic story I can think of that pertains to school is Anne of Green Gables – which is not at all about going to school. However, who can forget Anne smashing her slate over Gilbert’s head under Mr. Phillips’ cruel reign at the Avonlea schoolhouse?
From Dawn:
I remember reading Anne of Green Gables when I was younger, but I don’t remember much… I predict she’ll be on the reading docket with my daughter in some years!
I ran out of time for this one this month. 🙁 I was thinking about reading one of the Andrew Clements books like Frindle or re-reading The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli.
Then there’s Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse.
There are just not enough hours in a day. 🙂
From Dawn:
My son discovered Andrew Clements a couple of years ago, and I read Frindle when he borrowed it from the school library– what a GREAT book! I have heard great things about Spinelli, but I haven’t read anything by him with my son. And, of course, Lily!! Wonderful choice!
We love Miss Nelson Is Missing by Harry Allard.
From Dawn:
I had a Miss Nelson title in my head for this post, but I think Miss Bindergarten bumped her out at the last minute. 🙂 Those are great books, and I love James Marshall’s illustrations always!
I’ve never heard of If You Take a Mouse to School! I’m sure it’s great just like the rest.
The Miss Bindergarten/Kindergarten books were definitely a hit when I was teaching preschool.
From Dawn:
Ah, a fellow preschool teacher! I loved filling my classroom with books, books and more books! This time of year was just so much fun to return to some of our favorites with a whole new group of kids!
These are not classics, but my son (5th grade) is reading two books by Anna Myers, both have school settings…which is probably back to school enough for a tween.
Wart is a book about a boy named Stewart…his teacher calls him Wart, and his Dad starts dating his teacher, and he imagines that his teacher is a witch, etc…silly, but the kind of fiction my tween boy likes.
The other book is Confessions from the Principal’s Chair. A tall eighth grade girl is mistaken for the new Principal and spends two days running the school. Again silly, but perfect for my silly tween. My 7th grade niece recommended this one.
From Dawn:
Thanks so much for these recommendations– these are both new to me, but sound like ones that my 4th grader would enjoy! I LOVE these community events, because you all always provide such great rec’s!