In the not too distant future school will begin again, whether online, returning to the classroom or a hybrid of the two. Some kids will be nervous, some excited and some not overly enthusiastic. Any way you cut the cake, school is on the horizon, and reading books together about school can be useful to broaden a child’s perspective.

From dealing with an embarrassment and misunderstanding (in “First Grade Dropout”), to overall nervousness and worries about fitting in (“in First Day Critter Jitters”) and learning to control emotions and apologizing (in “Sorry (Really Sorry)”), each of the books reviewed today cast a lighthearted look at what many kids feel.

If we’ve learned one thing during this pandemic, it is to adapt to changing times. School is a lot like that as well. Help kids ease into this transition with as little stress as possible. Read together.

Books to borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

“First Grade Dropout” by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, Clarion, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 5 – 8.

Read yourself: age 7 – 8.

The first-grade narrator of this book has made a decision: he must drop out of Lakeview Elementary School and never return. The reason? A huge, humiliating (and very funny) mistake he made in class that caused everyone to laugh out loud at him, for a very long time.

The boy considered his options compared to dropping out. Perhaps a magical trick that would erase what he said. Or maybe a time machine to return to when this didn’t happen. Or could he change his appearance and pretend to be a new kid from a different city or country? Nope. Dropping out seemed the logical choice. The problem was that he liked school and liked his friends. What should he do?

A very frank and funny look at embarrassing moments and how they typically aren’t as bad as we think, kids will identify with this excellent gem of a book.

Librarian’s choice

Library: Schuylkill Valley Community Library, 1310 Washington Road, Leesport

Library director: Christie Himmelreich

Youth librarian: Kelly Jacoby

Choices this week: “Quit Calling Me Monster” by Jory John; “It’s Not Time for Sleeping” by Lisa Graff; “Towers Falling” by Jewel Parker Rhodes

Books to buy

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“First Day Critter Jitters” by Jory John, illustrated by Liz Climo, Dial, 2020, 40 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 – 7.

Read yourself: age 6 – 7.

The animal students have big worries about the first day of school. Snake can’t get his backpack onto his body and worries how he will carry all of his stuff without it. Mouse is anxious because literally everyone in the school will be bigger than she is. Poor Parrot knows he has an annoying habit of repeating what other people say and is certain that won’t win him many friends. And Bunny knows she has lots of energy and will have trouble sitting still. These critters and others are nervous, but it just so happens they aren’t the only ones.

A realistic portrayal (by way of animals), kids will identify with this hilarious book that clearly demonstrates that everyone worries about fitting in and that understanding and cooperation go a long way.

“Sorry (Really Sorry)” by Joanna Cotler, illustrated by Harry Bliss, Philomel, 2020, 32 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: 4 – 8.

Read yourself: age 7 – 8.

Cow was in a bad mood because her hooves were deep in mud. It made Cow so mad that she took it out on Duck by kicking mud in Duck’s face. Because of that, Duck was so mad she made nasty remarks to Frog. Frog became so angry he said terrible things to Bird, which made Bird confront Goat, and Goat rammed into Pig just because he felt like it.

Fortunately, Dog was wiser than the rest of the farm animals and knew just what to do to diffuse the bad tempers and hurt feelings by using kindness and love.

Charming, funny, and a solid look at how the moods of others can be contagious, “Sorry (Really Sorry)” is a delight start to finish.

Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net and kendal.rautzhan27@gmail.com