Ahh, a new year! For many, this means a resolution and promise to improve or reach a goal. Last year, one of my resolutions was simple: read more books! It ended up being the most successful resolution of all time. Reading books for after winter break is an incredible way to help your 1st and 2nd grade students return to classroom routines and set the tone for the new year.
Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas
by Gail Piernas-Davenport
This is one of my favorites! I absolutely love this story about a girl and her family’s New Year traditions. Along the way, she discovers her neighbor’s different traditions, too! It’s perfect for discussing the similarities and differences between cultures and customs. I love the flow of the story and how it highlights different cultures in a kid-friendly context!
I Promise
by LeBron James
The inside cover of this book describes it as full of “encouraging and boosting reminders that success starts with YOU.” This book will help your students make those New Year goals and strive for greatness motivated by the words of LeBron James and inspired by his I PROMISE school.
A Loud Winter’s Nap
by Katy Hudson
A Loud Winter’s Nap is about a tortoise who normally sleeps through the winter. He doesn’t really feel he’s missing anything by doing this. This year, his friends are trying to convince him to stay awake. This one is so cute and perfect for discussing how characters change or a lesson on sequencing a story. It would also be a great book to pair with a nonfiction text on animals in winter.
This book and other great picks for the month of January are included in these *FREE* Digital Libraries for the entire year. Click here to grab your copy.
The Magic Ball of Wool
by Susanna Isern
While this one doesn’t have a distinct “New Year” theme, it’s another book with sweet animals. This story follows a hedgehog as he grants wishes for his animal friends using a ball of magic wool. It is a tale of kindness and helping others which we could all use a little more of.
Your Future is Bright
by Corey Finkle
Another motivating read, Your Future is Bright is a great reminder of all of the possibilities of the future. This is perfect to pair with hopes and dreams for the new year. It highlights the idea that we all have something special and a unique path ahead of us. This is such a positive book to focus on the good ahead even in these challenging times. I love to pair this one with “2024 Looks Bright” writing activity. It makes the perfect bulletin board!
I hope you have found a new book to read after winter break. If you are looking for some additional *free* resources for planning your first week of the new year, I have created/curated a week’s worth of New Year’s themed activities. Click here to learn more.
