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Bookstores are loaded with great books for back to school. Ally-Saurus & the First Day of School By Richard TorreyBest for: Ages 3-7
Ally has a strong dino-personality and hopes to meet other dinosaur-crazy kids at her first day of school. She roars and eats her food in dino-style chomps. None of the other kids seem to act like her, and Ally isn’t sure where she fits in. The illustrations reveal Ally as a typical kindergarten student, except for the crayon-like additions of a tale and spikes. It doesn’t take long before the other students begin expressing their personalities too—all brought to life with crayon-like additions to the illustrations. By the afternoon, first day issues have disappeared and friendships are made. Ally-Saurus flies to space, saves princesses from pirates and stomps through jungles with a lion. This is a fun book for those preparing for their first day of school.
What’s good: Eye-catching illustrations highlight children’s imaginations. What’s bad: Not much. Mom School By Rebecca Van SlykeIllustrated by Priscilla Burris Best for: Ages 3-7
How do moms learn all the skills it takes to be a mom? How do they learn to talk on the phone and fix their daughter’s hair at the same time? Where do they learn to bait fishhooks, build couch cushion forts and tuck children in properly? The main little girl is certain her mom must have gone to a Mom School to learn everything. The digital illustrations are rendered in a soft style that mimics the approachable humor throughout the story. This charming tale is a pat on the back for moms and perfect for mom and daughter bonding moments.
What’s good: Lessons on multitasking will make parents smile. What’s bad: This book doesn’t stand out from the many picture book tributes to moms. Echo By Pam Munoz Ryan Best for: Ages 10-14
Echo is unlike any fairy tale most young readers have read. Told through interconnected stories, it follows the journey of a magical harmonica into the hands of three young heroes. Set just before and during WWII, Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania and Ivy in California each come into contact with the same instrument. The story is more about the young heroes’ embodiment of bravery, tolerance and kindness as they stand up to injustice, rather than the harmonica. But the harmonica plays a role as everything comes together in the final climactic section, where Friedrich, Mike and Ivy attempt to write their own happy ending through the power of music.
What’s good: A great blend of storytelling: magic, mystery and history. What’s bad: Slowly paced. Plus some preteens may balk at reading a fairy tale.