The beginning of the school year is a time to review rules and procedures, get to know one another and build classroom community. One of the best ways to create a positive classroom community is through the power of the read-aloud picture book and by utilizing their profound themes of kindness, inclusion, and empathy. Join us as we explore Back-to-School Read-Alouds to Create a Classroom Community.
I fondly remember sitting at my teacher’s feet, on a cozy rug, sitting criss cross applesauce with my chin in my hand, while listening to the mesmerizing words of a lovely story. Those memories grew into me being the teacher in the rocking chair with eager ones sitting at my feet as I read a precious back-to-school book to my students. Over the years, I have accumulated a list of favorite picture books to read to my class to build a classroom community and to help my students fall in love with the magic of reading.
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Now let’s check out those powerful community-building picture books!
1. A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
This picture book always elicits giggles and shocked faces from my students. A whimsical story about a girl who changes her appearance to fit in with others but learns the importance of being true to herself, A Bad Case of Stripes can spark conversations about peer pressure, self-acceptance, making friends, and embracing one’s uniqueness.
Your storybook awaits, grab yours today!
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“What we have here is a bad case of stripes. One of the worst I’ve ever seen!” Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don’t like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she’s so worried that she’s about to break out in…a bad case of stripes!“
2. Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Students will connect and empathize with the main character, Jeremy, as he wants a pair of popular shoes that all his friends have for school. His grandmother cannot afford them and she tries her best to teach Jeremy that there are more important things to focus on than trends. In Those Shoes, Jeremy learns a valuable lesson about generosity and what truly matters. It’s great for starting conversations about materialism, gratefulness, and helping others.
Your next storybook hero awaits.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy’s grandma says they don’t have room for “want,” just “need,” when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.
3. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
The Invisible Boy is a heartwarming story about a boy who feels invisible until a new student arrives and befriends him. This book is perfect for discussing friendship, inclusion, and the power of small gestures.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
A gentle story that teaches how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish, from esteemed author and speaker Trudy Ludwig and acclaimed illustrator Patrice Barton. A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend…Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody in class ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.
When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.
Any parent, teacher, or counselor looking for material that sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children will find The Invisible Boy a valuable and important resource. Includes a discussion guide and resources for further reading.
4. The Dark by Lemony Snicket
The first day of school can be scary. Tackling homework, meeting new teachers and friends, and starting something new can be fear-inducing. Although an unconventional choice for back-to-school, The Dark allows students to see how you can face your fears and tackle the scary parts of life, including beginning school. Students can build a point of connection and community as they relate to one another and realize that everyone struggles with fears.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark lives in the same house as Laszlo. Mostly, though, the dark stays in the basement and doesn’t come into Lazslo’s room. But one night, it does. This is the story of how Laszlo stops being afraid of the dark. With emotional insight and poetic economy, two award-winning talents team up to conquer a universal childhood fear.
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5. Aunt Chip & The Great Triple Creek Dam Affair by Patricia Polacco
One of the best ways to build classroom community is to find a point of connection. If you can also promote the love of reading at the same time, it’s a win/win. Students can connect over the magic of the written word in Aunt Chip & The Great Triple Creek Dam Affair, a Patricia Polacco classic.
Your next storybook awaits, grab now!
Publisher’s Synopsis:
How much TV is too much TV? Welcome to Triple Creek, where the townspeople watch TV day and night. They watch it when they’re eating, working, playing, and sleeping. They even use TVs to teach the kids at school. But when Eli’s eccentric Aunt Chip (who refuses to own a TV) discovers that her nephew and her neighbors don’t remember how to read, she pulls the plug on the whole town, using books that have been piled high to build a dam to spread the magic of reading all around.
Grab the Aunt Chip book companion here:
Your newest book companion awaits, grab today!
6. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
This powerful story is about the impact of small acts of kindness and the importance of treating others with respect. This read-aloud encourages discussions about empathy and inclusion. Each Kindness is filled with wonderful illustrations that beautifully highlight the storyline and create a captivating book.
Start your students’ journey today.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
This unforgettable book is written and illustrated by the award-winning team that created The Other Side and the Caldecott Honor winner Coming On Home Soon. With its powerful anti-bullying message and striking art, it will resonate with readers long after they’ve put it down. Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya. Every time Maya tries to join Chloe and her friends, they reject her. Eventually Maya stops coming to school. When Chloe’s teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe is stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, and thinks about how much better it could have been if she’d shown a little kindness toward Maya.
Promote KINDNESS in your classroom through our kindness posters and bulletin board set:
Spread Kindness throughout your classroom!
7. If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen
Classroom community picture books can have such profound themes. If you’re looking for a story that is a little less heavy, this fun picture book is part of the If I Built series. The main character fantasizes about his dream school. Students can connect as they brainstorm and discuss what they would love in their own dream schools as well. “If I Built a School” would even be a great journal entry or writing prompt for students after the reading.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
In this exuberant companion to If I Built a Car, a boy fantasizes about his dream school–from classroom to cafeteria to library to playground. If Jack built a school, there would be hover desks and pop-up textbooks, skydiving wind tunnels and a trampoline basketball court in the gym, a robo-chef to serve lunch in the cafeteria, field trips to Mars, and a whole lot more. The inventive boy who described his ideal car and house in previous books is dreaming even bigger this time.
8. Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
I would be remiss if I didn’t include this classroom community classic. A classroom is a little family for a short amount of time, and this book highlights the power of that.
Your next classroom adventure awaits!
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Family isn’t always your relatives. It’s the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.”
Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms. They create a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved. With its heartfelt message and colorfully whimsical illustrations, “Our Class is a Family” is a book that will help build and strengthen that class community. Kids learn that their classroom is a place where it’s safe to be themselves. It’s okay to make mistakes, and it’s important to be a friend to others. When hearing this story being read aloud by their teacher, students are sure to feel like they are part of a special family.
Conclusion:
As you prepare for the new school year, consider the powerful impact that read-aloud picture books can have on building a positive classroom community. These stories offer opportunities for students to connect, explore important themes like empathy, kindness, and self-acceptance, and engage in meaningful discussions. Whether you’re addressing fears, promoting inclusion, or fostering a love of reading, these books can help set the tone for a year filled with learning, growth, and strong relationships. Start the year with these memorable read-alouds, and watch your classroom community thrive.
