The New School Year

The beginning of a new school year is filled with excitement, new experiences, and plenty of big feelings! As the Purple Room children settle into their classroom, they are learning how to navigate new routines, build relationships with classmates, develop friendships, and become part of a classroom community. One of the ways we support this important transition is through the power of books! 

We love incorporating engaging stories into our curriculum to help children make sense of their experiences, explore their feelings, and develop the social-emotional skills they need to thrive. Here are a few of our favorite Remarkable Reads that help make those first weeks of school a little easier, more familiar, and a lot more fun!

Bear’s New Friend

Along with the other books in Karma Wilson’s beloved Bear series, Bear’s New Friend has quickly become a Purple Room favorite! The children love following Bear as he encounters and greets the different friends he meets along the way. This delightful story opens the door to conversations about what it means to make a new friend, how we can welcome others into our play, and the many ways we can connect with the people around us. It’s a wonderful reminder that making friends can begin with something as simple as saying hello!

I’m Going to Preschool

Starting preschool is a big milestone, and knowing what to expect can help make the transition feel less overwhelming. I’m Going to Preschool introduces children to the familiar routines and experiences of a typical preschool day in a simple, accessible way. We revisit this book often during the first few weeks of school to help our students become comfortable with their new surroundings and daily schedule. Seeing the different parts of a school day reflected in a story helps children build familiarity, develop a sense of security, and feel more confident as they learn to navigate their new environment.

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

Pete the Cat books are always a hit with this age group! As our friends adjust to sitting together as a large group at the lunch table, we sometimes listen to an audiobook during lunchtime. Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes is a frequent request! The catchy rhythm, playful storytelling, and Pete’s confident attitude make it an instant favorite. Many of the children even sing along as they listen! Beyond the fun, Pete’s adventures encourage children to approach new experiences with curiosity and confidence.

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings & The Feelings Book 

The first few weeks of school can bring a whole range of emotions, and those big feelings continue to pop up throughout the year! At this age, children are still developing the language and self-regulation skills needed to recognize, understand, and express their emotions. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings and The Feelings Book give us wonderful opportunities to explore the many feelings we experience and help children begin to put those feelings into words. After reading, we invite our friends to share how they are feeling and talk about the different emotions we might experience throughout the day. This year, “funny” and “silly” have been especially popular answers in the Purple Room! 😄

The Kindness Book

Learning to share, take turns, and treat others with kindness is an important part of our classroom community, and these are skills we practice all year long! The Kindness Book introduces children to simple, meaningful ways to show kindness and highlights how even small gestures can make someone else feel good, and make us feel good, too! Whether it’s helping a friend, sharing a toy, offering a hug, or inviting someone to join our play, children are learning that their actions can make a difference. We revisit this book throughout the year to reinforce the importance of kindness, empathy, and caring for one another.

A book can be so much more than a story! It can offer comfort during times of change, give children language for their feelings, spark meaningful conversations, and help lay the foundation for lasting friendships. We love watching the Purple Room children connect the stories we share with their own experiences as they grow into confident, compassionate, and caring members of our classroom community.

Bears New Friend By Karma Wilson
I’m Going to Preschool By Marion Cocklico
In My Heart: A Book of Feelings By Jo Witek
Pete the Cat Rocking in My School Shoes By Eric Litwin
The Feelings Book By Todd Parr
The Kindness Book By Todd Parr