Ten Rules You ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK if You Want to Survive the School Bus

Lighten the mood surrounding your child(ren)s return to school with this funny, lighthearted school bus tale... (not recommended for first time riders who take things very literally)!

Grandits, John.
Ten Rules You ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK if You Want to Survive the School Bus.
July 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

As Kyle's first morning of riding the bus to school begins, his older brother James decides to give him some brotherly advice. He starts out with the basics... Don't get to the bus stop too early. Or too late! And then, the rules become a little more complex!

Rule #1: Never sit in the first row.
Rule #2: Never sit in the last row.
Rule #3: Never, ever make yourself stand out in any way.
Rule #4: Never make eye contact.
Rule #5: Never touch anyone's stuff.
Rule #6: Never talk to big kids.
Rule #7: Never talk to girls.
Rule #8: Never mess with the bully.
Rule #9: Never be the last one on the bus.
Rule #10: Never, absolutely never, mess with the bus driver.

Unintentionally, Kyle breaks every single one of the rules by the time his first day of riding the bus is over! However, by the time he arrives home to find James waiting for him, Kyle has learned an 11th rule that he never expected to -

Rule Eleven:

Never, absolutely never,
pay attention to your
big brother's list of
Ten Rules You Absolutely
Must Not Break
if You Want to Survive
the School Bus!

This story is just what middle elementary children will find welcoming as they head back to start a new school year! I advise against sharing this book with the younger children unless they have developed a sense of humor and can distinguish humor from reality, as so many take things literally at a young age. I'd hate for a kindergartener to be sent off on the bus fearing for their life! All in all, it's a funny story that will likely be enjoyed!



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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Curious George: Time for School

Help your little ones adjust to a "back-to-school" routine and prepare for the new school year while introducing the concept of "time."

Platt, Cynthia.
Curious George: Time for School.
July 2011.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

As George heads off to his first visit to Kindergarten with friend, Allie, his day is described through the telling of time - sharing with readers each hour of his school day and the activities in which he participates. From packing his lunch at 7:00 until he heads for home at 2:00, nearly all parts of the typical school day are covered in this unique book that allows children to manipulate the clock and "work" their way through the day.

Perfect for discussing the typical school day with new Kindergarteners or to use as an introduction to exploring the concept of time, Curious George: Time for School is ideal for sharing at the beginning of a new school year!

Reading/Learning Activities:

• Help your child anticipate and work his/her way through the (sometimes difficult) first days of a new school year. Talk with his/her teacher ahead of time and to get an idea of what the classroom "schedule" will consist of. Write out the schedule on a piece of paper and glue some "clocks" - downloaded however many you need here and scale them down to the size of your liking. Include your child in writing the numbers on the clock and then, using the schedule you've gotten from the teacher, have your child use a pencil to draw the hour and minute hand on the clock to represent each time. At the end of the day, add something fun that your child can look forward to coming home from school!
• After several days of school have passed, work with your child to create their own version of Curious _______: Time for School. Using their schedule, create a book unique to their class. Work together to illustrate and draw the clocks, along with writing the text. Allow your child to surprise their "class" by returning with their book to keep in the classroom for the school year after their first weekend home from school!
  

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If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Back to School Reads, Day 6: One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond

Teach children a thing or two about vocabulary related to school and ethics!

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse.
One Smart Cookie: Bite-Size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond.
June 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Morsels of wisdom are coupled with interesting new vocabulary words for children, as one little girl shares with readers bits and pieces of what they'll need to know in order to be a successful contributor of "Smart Cookies" at the bake sale.

Publishers Weekly stated it perfectly,A deliciously charming collection of defined and illustrated vocabulary words that serve as gentle guides to etiquette.The book reminds me so much of something that would be passed along from your grandma - with illustrations that make me think of those old Norman Rockwell calendars I've seen. I absolutely love this book! And when you add in the recipe for "One Smart Cookie" at the back - well, I'm sold... I'll definitely be trying these out!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Using the recipe at back of the book, create a batch of "One Smart Cookie." Each time you pass along one of these cookies to your child in his/her lunch box (and on the first day of school) attach a few vocabulary term with each. Carefully select a term on your own that provide your child with the encouragement they need to start out a successful school year. For example, perhaps the words, "support," "friendship," "proud" will do perfectly! Or there's any number of others that would serve just as well to offer your child the encouragement he/she needs and deserves!
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Back to School Reads, Day 5: Rules for School

Rules for School - from a kid's standpoint, so you know there's something to them!

Greven, Alec.
Rules for School.
June 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Alec Greven returns in Rules for School to share with readers 15 rules he's deemed as necessary to have a successful school year! The rules are shared from the wisdom a child has picked up in his years of school, making this a great read for children, as of course they relate better to children than adults!

Alec Greven's Rules for School

1. You have to let go of summer.
2. Gear up and get that backpack ready!
3. You're going to be nervous - get over it.
4. Get Mom on your side.
5. Stay on track!
6. Think before you sit.
7. Be brave - ask questions!
8. Avoid the supernova.
9. Just face it. Homework is something you have to do.
10. Let loose at lunch.
11. Run the ants out of your pants.
12. Just be yourself.
13. Appreciate your teacher.
14. Make the most of it.
15. Have fun!
    

The fifteen rules (stated above) are expanded upon and described in great detail by Greven, making this the idea book, as it doesn't leave children wondering or looking for further clarification. I've loved Greven's work in the past, and this one is no less disappointing! Because it is written from a child's point of view, it's very funny and true to the heart, and for this, children should really enjoy it!



If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Back to School Reads, Day 4: First Grade Jitters

First Grade Jitters validates the importance of those jitters your little one might be experiencing!

Quackenbush, Robert.
First Grade Jitters.
June 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Little Aiden has a case of the first grade jitters. He wonders if his friends will be there... if he'll be able to understand his teacher... if he'll have to know how to read and do arithmetic. As Aiden nears the first day of 1st grade, his jitters continue to mount, until he finally catches up with his friends from kindergarten. Together, his three friends help Aiden overcome his jitters and actually become excited about the prospect of 1st grade!

This is a wonderful book to share with your child, especially if he/she is experiencing a case of jitters about entering 1st (or any) grade, really! It validates the feelings your child may be experiencing and at the same time, allows your child to see that it's okay to feel a bit nervous. I thought it was greatly important that Quackenbush mentions to children that of course they aren't expected to know everything, that's what their teacher is there for - to help them learn! Children will love the almost-graphic like appearance of the illustrations and the length of the story is perfect! Definitely a great back-to-school choice!



If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Back to School Reads, Day 3: Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?

A great read-aloud for children entering Kindergarten and their nervous parents!

Vernick, Audrey.
Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?
June 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

As one buffalo prepares himself for kindergarten, children will take delight in knowing they aren't the only one with a case of the kindergarten jitters! This antsy buffalo is worried about virtually everything - from the scissors to recess, it seems as though this little one has at least one worry that can relate to everyone!

This is a wonderful new book to for parents and future-kindergarteners to share together, as it has a calming effect that will appeal to nervous children and parents. Not only is the book easy to relate to, it continually shares one very important idea - Everyone's special in his or her own way. This message is relayed in many ways, while at the same time, sharing words of advice that are important for children entering school for the first time!



If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Back to School Reads, Day 2: Pinkalicious: School Rules!

Prepare your little princess for back to school with this new school title in the Pinkalicious series!

Kann, Victoria.
Pinkalicious: School Rules!
June 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Pinkalicious has headed back to school for a new year - she really likes her teacher, Mr. Pushkin and she has some friends in her class... but she downright misses Goldilicious (her unicorn, nicknamed Goldie). With Goldie, school could be pinktastic, so Pinkalicious decides to take Goldie along with her one day. The morning starts out a bit on the rough side, but Mr. Pushkin agrees that Goldie can stay, as long as Pinkalicious can teach her the school rules. Of course, that's just what Pinkalicious does and together, they have a very successful day at school!

The book is cute - Pinkalicious fans will be thrilled with this newest title. While I wouldn't exactly call it a back-to-school book, it definitely would classify if you used it in such a manner to promote the idea of going back to school and stress the importance of following school rules.

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Get your child ready for back-to-school by purchasing Pinkalicious: School Rules! (just $3.99 on Amazon.com). After reading, discuss the rules Pinkalicious and Goldilicious were expected to follow at school. Are they the same or different from what your child(ren) are expected to follow? Using the worksheet that can be downloaded here, work with your child(ren) to create a list of 10 rules for a successful school year after reading Pinkalicious: School Rules! The rules could include anything from the behavior you expect of your child at school, to rules regarding homework and bedtime routines that will help ensure a successful school year. When your child(ren) have completed a successful school year, throw them a Pinkalicous Party, as recommended by ThinkPinkalicious.com
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Back to School Week! Day 1

It's August! And that means the back to school countdown is most likely on... whether your children head back before Labor Day or shortly after, it's really right around the corner... I have just 22 days of freedom left... anxious about starting the new school year, yet dreading what that means - the end of long summer days (or nights) as the case may be! I have several new back-to-school titles up for review, and decided to get them out there, hoping that you'll find the perfect one to share with your back-to-schooler!

Prelutsky, Jack.
There's No Place Like School: Classroom Poems.
June 2010.
HarperCollins.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

From suspsicious hot lunches (yuck!), to pop quizzes (oh, no!), to recess and best friends (hooray!), everything you love - and love to hate - about school is front and center in this collection of eighteen poems by thirteen celebrated poets. One thing's for certain: there's no place like school!

Children will love all that these poems have to offer - the humor and imagination are lively and flowing - perfect to lighten the somber back-to-school minds that overtake as the end of summer draws near. This is a perfect choice to embrace the start of a new school year!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Take the opportunity at breakfast for the last 18 days of summer vacation to share one of these poems. Download the discussion sheet, found here, to open each day with a discussion related to each poem!
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!