Books for the Last Days of School

Bookmark and Share

Are you looking for some read-alouds for the last few days of school?  Try one of these:

The Last Day of School  The Last Day of School by Louise Borden
This cover illustration (by Adam Gustavson) just says it all, doesn’t it?!?  But despite the exuberance of embracing summer with both arms depicted shown here, this is actually a somewhat sentimental look at the special moments of the year that have brought Matthew to the last day of school, and his determination to find just the right time during the day to give Mrs. Mallory the special gift he has for her.  A realistic look at what goes on during the last day of school.

Lizzie and the Last Day of School  Lizzie and the Last Day of School by Trinka Hakes Noble
Sure, most kids are just relieved to put school behind them and get on with having fun, but for the students who enjoy school this book will speak to their sense of sadness that the year is over.  Her teacher, Miss G, and also feeling a bit blue but the ending allows them both to look forward to the summer cheerfully.  Sharing this read-aloud offers a perfect lead-in to discussing the all special things that happened during the school year, and the activities that everyone is looking forward to during the break.

Last Day Blues Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg
This book acknowledges that while the kids are looking forward to being away from school for the summer, there are things they will miss: being away from their friends, the class pet, and their favorite school lunches.  When their teacher announces she will miss the kids, they begin brainstorming ideas for a gift that will remind her of them during the break.  A colorful look at how a close-knit “classroom family” approaches the looming summer separation.

What Do Teacher Do After You Leave School What Do Teachers Do After You Leave School? by Anne Bowen
Kids who can only imagine their teachers as stern, rule-enforcing party poopers will be surprised and delighted by this boisterous look at how the adults at school behave after the kids leave.  Illustrator Barry Gott perfectly captures the exuberance of teachers roller skating down the halls, sliding and swinging on the playground, engaging in a cafeteria food fight, and more.  I sometimes share this book first without showing the illustrations, and ask kids to draw their own pictures to match the text.  Then we compare what they drew to Gott’s artwork, and brainstorm other things teachers might do when their students aren’t around.

My Teacher's Secret Life  My Teacher’s Secret Life by Stephen Krensky
In the same vein is this fanciful look at what happens when teacher Mrs. Quirk (who surely lives at school) is spotted at the supermarket, the mall, and the park.  Does she really have a life outside the school?  This is not an end-of-the-year book, but the “quirky” artwork by Joann Adinolfi makes it a winner for sharing.

What are your favorite read-alouds for the last week/day of school?  Please share them in the comments!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *