It is the beginning of the new year and in around a month, students here in Australia will return to school. As a teacher, I love reading picture books to my class and use them to help set expectations within the classroom. Whether you are a teacher looking for books to read at the beginning of the term or a parent wanting to share some great picture books with your kids, here are some of my absolute favourite books to read (also helps my students enjoy them as well).
This list of books is all about believing in yourself as well as being kind to others. Whether it is other people or the environment.
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi
ISBN 9781368025621
Published 9 June 2020
Pages 40 pages
This Yet finds a way, even when you don’t,And, Yet knows you will, when you think you won’t.Each of us, from the day we’re born, is accompanied by a special companion–the Yet. Can’t tie your shoes? Yet! Can’t ride a bike? Yet! Can’t play the bassoon? Don’t worry, Yet is there to help you out.Told in tight rhyme reminiscent of the great Dr. Seuss himself, this rollicking, inspirational picturebook is perfect for every kid who is frustrated by what they can’t do . . . YET!
This book is so important for all ages to read and remember! If you can’t do something now don’t give up, you can’t do it yet!
The Creature of Habit by Jennifer E. Smith
ISBN 9780593173053
Published 9 November 2021
Pages 40
A very big creature with big teeth, big eyes, and very big feet lives on the island of Habit. Every day the creature happily does the exact same things in the exact same order.
That is, until a small boat carrying a very small creature with small teeth, small eyes, and very, very small feet arrives on the island. The big creature is excited to share his routine, but the small creature has ideas of his own. The little creature does something different every day–it’s madness to the big creature!
Can these two creatures learn to understand each other? Is the island big enough for both of them? Colorful and captivating, this is a story about learning with and from your friends.
Have you filled a bucket today by carol mccloud
ISBN 9780996099936
Published 1 October 2015
Pages 32
When we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our OWN bucket! Conversely, when we choose to say or do mean things, we are dipping into buckets. All day long, we are either filling up or dipping into each other’s buckets by what we say and what we do. When you’re a bucket filler, you make the world a better place to be!
The world needs who you were made to be by joanna gaines
ISBN 9781400314232
Published 2 December 2020
Pages 32
Follow a group of children as they each build their very own hot-air balloons. As the kids work together, leaning into their own skills and processes, we discover that the same is true for life—it’s more beautiful and vibrant when our differences are celebrated.
Little turtle and the changing sea by becky davies
ISBN 9781788815819
Published 1 April 2021
Pages 32
Thunder crashes in the sky as a little turtle struggles down the beach, and slips into the sea for the first time. Over the years she’ll revisit this shore many times. Join her as she makes her great journey across the ocean.
sebastian stands out by rory h. mather & sofya karmazina
ISBN 9781761207884
Published 1 June 2023
Pages 24
Sebastian chameleon is always being squished, squashed and stepped on because he blends in. After the gazillionth time, he has had enough! Can Sebastian change his chameleon ways and finally stand out?
greta and the giants by zoe tucker
ISBN 9780711253773
Published 19 November 2019
Pages 32
Greta is a little girl who lives in a beautiful forest threatened by Giants. When the Giants first came to the forest, they chopped down trees to make houses. Then they chopped down more trees and made even bigger homes. The houses grew into towns and the towns grew into cities, until now there is hardly any forest left. Greta knows she has to help the animals who live in the forest, but how? Luckily, Greta has an idea…
the dot by peter H. reynolds
ISBN 9781529512328
Published 15 September 2003
Pages 32
Her teacher smiled. “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.”
Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw – she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. “There!” she says.
kindness grows by britta teckentrup
ISBN 9781848578777
Published 1 September 2019
Pages 32
It all starts with a crack that we can hardly see, It happens when we shout or if we disagree. But with every kindness that we care to show, Something good and magical then begins to grow… Angry words and thoughtlessness cause a crack to open up, but find out what happens when kindness begins to blossom
a different dragon by nick gill and luma wildish
ISBN 9781761212222
Published 30 August 2023
Pages 24
Donny is desperate to learn how to breathe fire, but he just doesn’t have the spark! While his friends are shooting flames everywhere, Donny can only breathe water. He wishes he was special like them, until the day he encounters a problem that only he can help with …
high five by adam rubin
ISBN 9780525428893
Published 16 April 2019
Pages 64
Discover the lost art of the high five and improve your slapping skills just in time for the annual high five contest! From hand-limbering stretches to lessons on five-ing with finesse, readers are guided through a series of interactive challenges, each goofier than the next.
we are water protectors by carole lindstrom
ISBN 9781250203557
Published 18 February 2020
Pages 48
Water is the first medicine.
It affects and connects us all.
Water is sacred.
My people talk of a black snake that will destroy the land,
Spoil the water, wreck everything in its path.
They foretold that it wouldn’t come for many, many years.
Now the black snake is here.
a new friend by lucy menzies and maddy vian
ISBN 9780711275690
Published 31 May 2022
Pages 48
Its Joe’s first day at a new school. Its big, scary and different. He misses his school, his old friends and his old life. Cant he just go back to the way things were? When Mae hears that there’s a new kid starting school, she can’t wait to meet him. Is this her chance to make a true friend?
two sides to every story by beck & Robin Feiner
ISBN 9780733341618
Published 2 August 2023
Pages 32
Cats or dogs? Living in the city or the country? Going to the pool or the beach?
Life presents lots of questions and lots of choices …
For Oscar, there’s no question or choice he won’t twist, tumble, turn inside out and explore every which way.
Stellarphant by James foley
ISBN 9781760990732
Published 2 November 2021
Pages 32
Stella wants to be an astronaut. There is only one problem- Stella is an elephant. Every time she applies to Space Command, they come with a new reason she can’t join. But where there’s a will, there’s a way and Stella is determined to reach for the stars.
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