The Yin and Yang of a new school year

The kids are all back in school. I remember those days. There was all the excitement that goes along with the new: new teacher, new friends, new things to learn. But there’s also the anxiety that goes along with the new: the possibility of making a mistake, getting into trouble. Here are a pair of books by the same author/illustrator duo about the yin and the yang.

What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada, illustrations by Mae Besom

It’s mighty brave to tackle the question “What’s an idea and what do you do with it?” in a picture book. But Yamada and Besom take it on and they succeed. The idea in this book looks like a golden-yellow egg with a gold crown. It starts small, then grows. The idea belongs to a little boy; and he grows with it – more confident, more willing to take risks, more imaginative. And then…something amazing happens! A great book to read with your child as a new school year starts up. Pegged for K-3rd grade.

What Do You Do With An Problem? by Kobi Yamada, illustrations by Mae Besom

Along with ideas, kids will also have problems. The problem in this book is a big dark swirling cloud. And it keeps getting bigger. The problem belongs to a little boy; and as the problem grows, so do the boy’s worries. He hides from it, he wishes it away. But nothing works. Until he has no choice but to face it. And then…something amazing happens! Another great book to read with your child as a new school year starts up. Pegged for ages 4-8.

Share your favorite back-to-school books for kids!