Give Kids the World

Many people walked by and did not stop to help when a young child was in distress. The little girl was in potential danger all by herself in this big world and campus. K.T. was walking on campus at our university when she noticed the child. The little girl was separated from her Mom when K.T. stopped to ask if she needed help. The little girl said her Mom parked her car in the garage that goes “round and round.” They searched parking garages together. They tried to call home, but no answer. After looking for what might have felt like an eternity, the child and her mother were reunited.

How many times do we look the other way when we might be able to be helpful to someone? It is good that people like K.T.  are willing stop and help. How can we help children?

·       We can give kids the world when we take time to become aware of their needs.

·       We can give kids the world when we show we care about them.

·       We can give kids the world when we help them when they are in danger.

The way she responded is inspirational. Let’s follow K.T.’s model and Give Kids the World.

First Day Jitters

Young children may have a variety of feelings about starting school. Books are a way for children to make meaning out of their emotions, talk with a caregiver about how they feel, and enjoy the benefits of children’s literature. If you have children who are dealing with going back to school jitters, here are picture books you could read with them.  

Ash, B., & Gee, K. (2016). The class. New York: Beach Lane Books.

Brown, Marc Tolon. (2015). Monkey: not ready for kindergarten. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Carlstrom, N. W., & Moore, M. (2009). It's your first day of school, Annie Claire. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.  

Child, L. (2004). I am too absolutely small for school. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick.

Cohen, M., & Himler, R. (2009). Will I have a friend? Long Island City, NY: Star Bright Books.

Cuyler, M., & Terry, W. (2017). Bonaparte falls apart. New York: Crown Books.

Danneberg, J., & Love, J. (2006). Qué nervios! El primer día de escuela. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Dewdney, A. (2009). Llama llama misses mama. New York: Scholastic.

Goldfinger, J. P. (2016). Hello, my name is Toby Tiger. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Grandits, J., & Austin, M. A. (2011). Ten rules you absolutely must not break if you want to survive the school bus. New Yo

Harris, R. H., & Ormerod, J. (2003). I am not going to school today. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Hennessy, B.G., & Meisel, P. (2006). Mr. Ouchy's first day. New York : Putnam's Sons.  

Kleve, E. (2007). The apple doll. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

London, J., & Remkiewicz, F. (1996). Froggy goes to school. New York: Viking.

Marshall, J. (1975). Eugene. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

McCarthy, J., & Palacios, S. (2016). Lola knows a lot. New York: Balzer + Bray.

McGhee, A., & Bliss, H. (2004). Mrs. Watson wants your teeth. Orlando: Harcourt.

Rankin, J. (2002). First day. New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Rex, A. & Robinson, C. (2016). School's first day of school. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

Robbins, B., & Stuart, J. (2001). Tom's first day at school. New York : Dorling Kindersley Pub.

Sadu, I., & Delinous, A. (2017). Greetings, Leroy. Toronto; Berkeley: Groundwoood Books/House of Anansi Press.

Scotton, R. (2008). Splat the cat. New York: Harper Collins.

Thaler, M., & Lee, J. (1989). The teacher from the black lagoon. New York: Scholastic.

Wing, N., & Wummer, A. (2011). The night before preschool. New York: Grossett & Dunlap.

Wing, N., & Durrell, J. (2001). The night before kindergarten. New York: Grossett & Dunlap.

Wing, N., & Zemke, D. (2005). The night before first grade. New York: Grossett & Dunlap.

Thank you to Emma, my librarian, for helping me find these books.