Book Review: Goodbye, School

Author: Tonya Lippert
Illustrator: Tracy Bishop

From the Book Jacket: Franny loves her school! She's had lots of fun, learned to read, played with her friends, made art, and even napped here. It's hard for Franny to say goodbye. But she must - today is her last day of school, and it's time to leave. 

Franny figures out a way to say goodbye and honor this special place. 

Includes a Reader's Note to help you guide children through periods of transition or change and acknowledge their feelings throughout the experience. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: It's really difficult to find GOOD books on this topic. We usually have a few families leave at the end of a school year due to a move or change of circumstances. This was such a helpful resource to read to the whole class not just individually. It's also important for kids who are not moving to use empathy and provide support and hope to children who are moving on. Goodbye, School helped give closure to our students in a really positive way. Will be using and recommending to teachers and parents for sure!

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Book Review: The Koala Who Could

Author: Rachel Bright
Illustrator: Jim Field

From the Book Jacket: Sometimes a little change can open your world to BIG possibilities. Kevin the koala love every day to be the same, where it's snug and safe. But when change happens, will Kevin learn all the joys that come with trying something new.  

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is a great resource for overcoming fear and worry when faced with a new challenge. Kevin is terrified that he is going to fall from the tree so he remains stuck and won't come down. But the tree actually ends up falling down thanks to a woodpecker. So Kevin actually does fall. And even though that was his fear - he realized he was JUST FINE and nothing bad happened to him. Sometimes kids get stuck in their thoughts and this is a good example of how even if a worry comes true - you can cope with it! Loved this one. 

A Link to This Book:

Book Review: What Is Given From The Heart


Author: Patricia C McKissack
Illustrator: April Harrison

From the Book Jacket: James Otis knows what it's like not having much. Still, he just has to find a little bit of something to share with Sarah, whose family has lost everything in a fire. But what does he have that she would want? His beautiful sparkling rock? Naw, that wouldn't help - you can't ear a rock. His crayons? No way, even if only a few colors are missing. Then he remembers what Reverend Dennis said one Sunday - What is given from the heart reaches the heart - and it gets him to thinking... This is a heartfelt picture book about the power of kindness and the joy of giving by a master storyteller and a renowned artist. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: April is the month of giving at my school. When we ask students to bring in items for a food drive, it's important that we give them an understanding of why we are doing a community service project. Reading books about homelessness, hunger, and poverty has been a helpful resource to educate kids about issues others are facing. This is a new book to my shelf and it really reached everyone's hearts and helped enhance the spirit of giving that we were trying to achieve. 

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful: