I’m back to school this morning, so here are two more books to kick off the new year! If you’re looking for more ideas, check out my back-to-school book list.

Fall Is for Beginnings by Rajani LaRocca, illustrated by Abhi Alwar (Harry N. Abrams, 40 pages, ages 4-8). In this follow-up to Summer Is for Cousins, Ravi is excited to be going back to school with his best friend Joe. On the first day, new girl Ellie inserts herself into the friendship, declaring, “I just know we’re going to be best friends!” Ravi likes his new teacher and enjoys making an autumn leaf for the class tree to mark new experiences, but he doesn’t know how to deal with Ellie, who seems to be everywhere. She’s a lot of fun, but Ravi already has a best friend. Finally, on Halloween, when she wears her jar of sprinkles costume to go with Joe and Ravi’s ice cream and cone, he tells her, “You are NOT my best friend!” Ellie disappears, and Ravi feels bad. When he talks to his older sister about it, she tells him that she thought he was annoying when he first arrived, but over time she’s gotten used to him and even come to enjoy his company. Ravi starts to shift his perspective, and soon Ellie is back in the middle of his and Joe’s friendship, and Ravi has added another leaf to the tree.

I love how this book introduces the idea that things can be different in a new school year, a reassuring message for kids who may have a hard time dealing with change and who may long for last year. The illustrations perfectly capture the chaos of elementary school, and Ellie looks to be a friend worth keeping.

Recess by Lane Smith (Harry N. Abrams, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Everyone knows that there’s not enough recess in the school day. This book endeavors to give kids more, stopping in each class to describe what happens there. Turn the page, and it’s RECESS! where kids get to do activities related to each class like typing in the air, pretending to throw and bounce balls, and slapping your lap and stomping your feet like you’re in a band. The last stop is the calm-down corner, where, after one more burst of crazy fun, everyone takes a deep breath and gets ready to get back to work.

Kids are going to love listening to–and participating in–this book. It may be helpful to lay down a few ground rules ahead of time, but once you do so, this would make a great way to inject a little movement and fun into the school day. Lane Smith’s illustrations add just the right wild and crazy touches to all the action.