Starting a new year of school can be a mix of excitement, anxiety, or anything in between. Whether students are returning from summer break, going to a new school, or starting school for the first time, the start of a new school year brings out a range of emotions. Books can be a tool to help students explore those emotions by building confidence, sparking curiosity, and finding identity.
Below are 4 picture books that embody the themes of confidence, curiosity, and identity that mentors can read to their students. These stories also support meaningful conversations that help younger students with their transition into the classroom and to explore the world around them.
Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Your Name is a Song is a poetic story that empowers readers to take pride in their name. This book is a great read for both mentors and students, showing how all names are beautiful, even if they are hard to pronounce at first
Mentor Conversation Starter: You could talk about your name and how you feel when others mispronounce it, or ask the student how they feel when their name is mispronounced.
Hair Love by Matthew Cherry
Inspired by the Oscar-winning short film, this story celebrates self-love and the bond between a father and daughter. It highlights the beauty of natural hair and the importance of overcoming challenges with support and pride.
Mentor Conversation Starter: Ask students what makes them feel confident about themselves.
Five Words that are Mine by Melissa Seron Richardson
Inspirational bilingual picture book about how words help us to find inner strength and self-discovery. This story is a great reminder of how what we describe ourselves as matters.
Mentor Conversation Starter: Mentors can ask students to use five words that describe themselves. Or have students talk about a time when they had to be brave even if they were nervous.
Someone Just Like You by Helen Docherty
A heartfelt story about identity, belonging, and friendship that asks a lot of discussion questions to spark conversation.
Mentor Conversation Starter: Since this book already provides questions, mentors can read the story, but let their students guide the conversation while reading the story.
Starting school for the first time can be overwhelming or exciting, and books are a powerful tool for helping young readers start the school year with confidence, pride, and curiosity.
