By: Christa Protano
Did you hear? The stores are currently stocked with pencils, notebooks, and crayons even though it feels like the school year just ended (well, here in the Northeast, it really did just a few weeks ago). Needless to say, even though we don’t go back to the classroom until after Labor Day, I’ve already started making our school supply lists. In addition to the requisite backpacks and water bottles, this year I’ve added a few books to our shopping cart. Here are five titles guaranteed to get your young student excited about the upcoming school year.
This colorful board book is perfect for children heading off to preschool or kindergarten for the very first time. Friendly animal characters walk new students through their daily routine, from getting their own cubby to music and craft time. With a die-cut cover and playful illustrations, we hope this rhyming read helps ease some first-day jitters for little ones (and their parents, too!).
Class is in session for babies and toddlers alike, thanks to this board book which guides parents through their child’s first history lesson. From George Washington to Joe Biden, this illustrated read-aloud highlights the positive impact of 14 American presidents.
When your child is ready take on the alphabet, let this book be their guide from A to Z. Each letter is paired up with its own animal through playful rhyming text and real-life imagery. Kids will have a blast ABCing their way through the animal kingdom, starting with anteaters and continuing all the way to zebras.
Smithsonian Kids: Space Explorer Guide Book & Projector
Prepare for blast off: This interactive activity book takes young readers on a journey through our solar system without ever having to leave the house. Kids can use the handheld projector and five mini discs to transform their room into their very own planetarium. Twenty images accompany dozens of space facts about planets, comets, black holes and more—all curated by a team of experts from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
With the Big Builds series, middle grade students can brush up on their STEM skills and even get a jump start on next year’s science fair project. Planet Earth takes an in-depth look at how the Earth was formed, extreme weather, and the future of our planet. What’s more, this activity kit includes an easy-to-assemble 20-piece model that offers a peek inside the Earth’s layers.
