Back-to-school books to read

As a child, as a parent, as a school librarian and as a grandparent, back-to-school was/is my least favorite time of year.

Little Yankee children may at least have a cool breeze to indicate autumn. Little Rebel children contend with summer heat, humidity and mosquitoes well into September. Maybe this suffering at an early age accounts for our forged-by-fire Southern personalities. The enlightenment of year-round schools may someday dawn in the Lowcountry, but in the meantime, pack your children off to school with enough bug repellent to survive the bus stop.

When our grandchild started preschool, I tried to get him ready by reading and re-reading "Wow! School!" by Robert Neubecker (amazing illustrations) and "My First Day at Pre-School," which is one of the "First Experiences" books by Priddy Books (beautiful color photographs).

He enjoyed the books, he grasped the concept of school, but he told his dad that he was going to cry. And he did. In defense of my game plan, I would like to point out that it might have been worse if I hadn't tried to prepare him. (And OK, it also might have gone better ...) Never deterred by firsthand experience, I highly recommend those books for preschoolers.

For young children feeling insecure (which is probably about 100 percent of every class), "The Littlest Dinosaur" by Michael Foreman is a good choice.

The book jacket calls this book "a celebration of friendship and being yourself." It reminds me of "Amos & Boris" by William Steig, which also helps children to understand that all shapes and sizes are welcome in the world.

With line drawings and very little text, "Say Hello" by Jack and Michael Foreman encourages children to speak up and say "hello," rather than hovering on the sidelines feeling shy and lonely. The book jacket states, "When someone looks lonely and in need of a friend, one little word can help ..." This is a message for all of us.

"Jake Starts School" by Michael Wright is a funny, cartoonish story about what happens when Jake's separation anxiety results in his parents staying with him at school.

If children think it's sad for their parents to leave them, they'll be reduced to giggles when they read about the ridiculous problems that ensue when parents join the class.

School may not necessarily be funny, but there sure are some funny books about school. For early elementary, "Junie B., First Grader (at Last)" by Barbara Park and all the Junie B. Jones books are hilarious. For older elementary, all the "Wayside School" books by Louis Sachar are a hoot. Since kids have to go to school, they might as well have a sense of humor about it.

For the middle-school set, who may encounter wildlife at their lockers as well as on the buggy bus stop, I wish "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli and "Schooled" by Gordon Korman could be required reading. Both books explore the practical application of kindness.

In an effort to raise me from my slough of despond and engender some enthusiasm for this new-beginning time of year, friends gave me a pencil sharpener.

It's a start.

Contact Fran Hawk at franbooks@yahoo.com.