Ahh, September, the season of newly sharpened pencils and lunch boxes that don’t yet smell faintly of old sandwich. We’re pretty firmly back in the school routine (having started school in early August, what up AZ?). But I feel like September is the REAL back to school month and we’re still figuring out new routines and new relationships.
Because my oldest is only in preschool a couple of mornings a week for a few hours, it kind of feels like we’re just playing dress-up with the idea of having school-age kids. And I’m ok with that! I don’t mind one little bit waiting a couple more years to have to get everyone fed, dressed and out of the house by 7:30 am (no por favoooor).
But regardless of whether your chiquitín/a is starting preschool or kindergarten & beyond, any of these books would be perfect to read as you nail the back to school thing.
Soy demasiado pequeña para ir al colegio
It’s time for Tolola to go to school, but she’s not so sure school’s for her. Luckily, her brother Juan is around to show her the ropes. There’s really one major hurdle by the first day: how will Tolola go to school without Soren Lorensen, her imaginary friend? What if no one sits by her at lunch?! Fun fact, I had no idea that Juan and Tolola first existed in English as Charlie and Lola (and I’m still perplexed that someone felt the need to change “Lola” to “Tolola” for the Spanish version).
Mi maestra es un monstruo (No es cierto)
Roberto has the worst teacher: she’s so scary and mean, in fact, he’s pretty sure she’s a monster. Thankfully he only has to see her at school, until one weekend she shows up in Roberto’s favorite park! Love this one for teaching that most people are pretty wonderful if you just take the time to get to know them a little better. (And also for teaching the shocking news that teachers exist OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, gasp!)
Ruby, mono ve, mono hace
When my high school best friend found out I was starting a business selling Spanish children’s books, she mailed me this one because she loves it so much. Ruby is the new girl in school, and she has a lot of similarities to Angela. What a coincidence! At first, Angela is flattered when Ruby shows up at school wearing all the same clothes she wears… but it gets old fast. Their teacher, la señorita Lara, takes matters into her own hands as she tries to teach Ruby a very important lesson (summarized by that quote that somebody made famous): “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.”
El primer día de escuela de Chu
It’s Chu’s first day of school, and (like most kids), he’s a little nervous about how it’s going to go. His main worry, of course, is whether he will make friends. At school, the teacher asks everyone to introduce themselves and talk about what they really like to do. And it turns out Chu’s answer to the question is rather unusual!
Un beso en mi mano
This sweet story is perfect for little students that feel nervous about the first day of school. Chester el Mapache doesn’t want to go to school—he’d rather stay home, see his friends, and play with his toys! But then his Mami shows him a special secret that will let him feel her love as he ventures out into the world. This adorable little trick might be just perfect for real-life kids that feel similarly apprehensive about leaving home all day long.
Y ahora cuenten— any favorite back to school books I’m missing? I’d love to add more to the list!
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